Warriors 'D' must be their best offense against West Carteret

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 14, 2013 1:48 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

Eastern Wayne's offense can't afford to watch from the sidelines when West Carteret puts its ball-control, run-oriented squad on the field Friday evening.

The Warrior defense has to keep the Patriots behind the first-down marker on a consistent basis during their first-round game in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A (small-school) playoffs.

"First down is going to be extremely important," Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams said. "We have to at least keep them to second-and-10, or second-and-eight. We have to keep them behind the sticks and get them off their pace.

"We need to get them in third-and-long situations, and get them behind where they want to be."

The 14th-seeded Patriots have rushed for 2,350 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Devon Godette is the team's top rusher with 834 yards and seven scores. Tyrell Johnson and Jordan Meadows have supplied 696 and 509 yards on the ground, respectively.

West Carteret has rushed for 150 yards or more in eight of 11 games this season.

Eastern Wayne's big-play offense has caught fire in the last three weeks and has averaged nearly 40 points a game during that time. Seven of the Warriors' rushing touchdowns have covered 25 or more yards.

Offensive balance has been important during the team's current three-game win streak. The Warriors have rushed for 537 yards and eight TDs, while junior quarterback Mitch Pike has thrown for 405 yards and five TDs.

Pike continues to miss his top target, Malik Richard, who remains out with a finger injury. Dayshawn Pridgen and Deshawn Boudy have become the focal points in the passing game.

"We've got to be able to run and throw the ball," Williams said. "We've had guys make plays at the receiver position. Our backs have been running the ball a little better and our offensive line is doing a better job.

"We have to continue to be balanced because West Carteret limits your possessions and puts pressure on you to score."

The Warriors' biggest nemesis in recent weeks has been themselves. Eastern Wayne drew 94 yards in penalties against Southern Wayne and more than 100 the week before against Charles B. Aycock.

That trend can't continue in the postseason.

"We've got to quit worrying about everything else," Williams said. "Sometimes we get too focused on the officials calling a penalty on us. "We have to focus on the things we can control and not worry about everything else."