Prep football notebook: Red-zone possessions haunt Cougars

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on October 28, 2013 1:48 PM

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Goldsboro created scoring chances in its 21-7 defeat against Ayden-Grifton on Friday evening. However, the Cougars struggled in short-yardage situations and failed to convert two red-zone possessions.

In the first quarter, Goldsboro had the first-and-10 at the Chargers' 15-yard line and came away empty handed. That missed opportunity compounded itself in the second quarter when the Cougars turned the ball over downs at the Ayden-Grifton 2.

"We have to get better everywhere in order to make those plays," Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid said. "When we need a yard, we have to be able to pick it up and when we need a stop we have to be able to make it happen."

On the flip side, the Chargers played excellent in short-yardage situations and converted a pair of critical third-and-short's to lockup the win late in the fourth quarter.

Unselfish

During the offseason, Spring Creek head coach Aaron Sanders called DeVonte Faison into his office and talked a little football.

Sanders informed the senior a change would be made at quarterback this fall.

Faison took the news in stride.

"He said 'Coach, I'm going to do whatever is best for this team and whatever you think is best for this team'," Sanders said. "That's what he's always done and he did it tonight. He is a very selfless young man."

Faison's pick six gave the Gators a 26-7 lead at halftime. He finished the game with 51 yards rushing and 23 yards receiving.

Just enough

Eastern Wayne won where it mattered against D.H. Conley on Friday night -- on the scoreboard.

The Vikings finished with a 350-142 advantage in rushing yards, but were plagued by three turnovers and two drives that ended on on fourth down.

Kamone Best led the Warriors with 91 yards rushing and Lavoris Vick added 48 yards on the ground. Mitch Pike threw for 165 yards despite being without leading receiver Malik Richard who missed the game with a finger injury.

"When there were big situations, we were able to run the ball," Warriors' head coach Bubba Williams said. "We had a couple of long pass plays and people break out in space which was good. We've got a receiver down and some other people stepped up and got us going."

Eastern Wayne didn't commit a turnover.

Chins up, young men

Spring Creek spoiled Rosewood's homecoming and senior night festivities.

That might not be good news for archrival Princeton. The Eagles have two weeks to stew over the double-digit loss and clean up some mistakes that proved costly against the Gators.

"Spring Creek has gotten a whole lot better," Rosewood head coach Robert Britt said. "What we're going to take away from tonight is that we lost to a team that just played better than us. We've got two weeks to make some improvements.

"We've shown throughout the year that we can play good football (and) when we do, we can be very competitive with anybody."

Princeton visits Rosewood on Nov. 8.