Eagles present major challenge for Warriors

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 29, 2013 1:51 PM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

No matter the sport, the level of difficulty increases as teams venture deeper into the postseason.

Eastern Wayne doesn't expect Friday night to be any different.

The second-seeded Warriors entertain perennial power Eastern Alamance in semifinal-round action of the 2013 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A football playoffs.

Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Little Big Horn.

"No one has expected us to do what we've done except us," EW head coach Bubba Williams said. "I don't know if the kids know they're supposed to be nervous. We've just gone out and played every week.

"That's why we've been successful."

Successful, indeed.

The Warriors have set numerous records during their benchmark campaign -- a program-best 5-0 start and single-season bests in three categories that include total victories (10), home wins (six) and playoff wins (two).

But none of that matters now.

Eastern Alamance presents the next obstacle for Eastern Wayne, which seeks to raise the bar even further for future teams.

"Every week is a challenge," Williams said. "These kids are having a great year and every week is a step toward their ultimate goal of playing for a state championship.

"We have to line up, play fundamentally-sound football on both sides of the ball and play hard throughout the game."

The Eagles (10-3 overall) possess a balanced, high-powered offense that has scored an eye-popping 552 points this season and produced nearly 5,300 yards of total offense.

Two quarterbacks -- senior Joey Lanier and sophomore John Lamont -- split time directing the up-tempo spread offense. Lanier has thrown for passed for 1,283 yards and 10 touchdowns this seasons. Lamont has accumulated 1,747 yards of total offense and 24 TDs rushing and passing combined.

The duo has distributed 17 touchdown strikes among nine different receivers with senior Malik Wilson as the main target. The 5-foot-11 wideout has snagged 36 receptions for 783 yards and seven TDs.

"They're a lot like Cleveland," Williams said. "They're going to do whatever you allow them to do. If you load the box, they're going to try to drop a pass on you. If you back out, they're going to run it on you. They don't make many mistakes.

"Defensively, everybody has to do their job or they will take advantage of your weaknesses."

Eastern Wayne's defense has held two run-oriented teams to 31 total points in the postseason. The Eagles's defense has logged 21 quarterback sacks as a team and forced 28 turnovers.

Senior linebacker Logan Morgan (5-11, 209 pounds) is the team leader with 198 tackles. Senior safety Brandon Daly is next with 126 stops, while senior lineman Tyler Green has 102 tackles.

Williams said his team won't change its style of play, but must adjust to what Eastern Alamance decides to give on defense. He added whichever team commits the fewest turnovers will more than likely advance to the eastern final.

The Eagles won eastern championships in 2009 and 2010, and emerged runners-up in 2006.