Resilient Warriors one step closer to ultimate goal

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 5, 2013 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Where are those preseason pundits now?

Just four months ago, nay-sayers predicted the 3-A teams in the newly-realigned Eastern Carolina Conference couldn't compete against the bigger, faster and stronger 4-A foes in the league. The bruising, physical poundings doled out on Friday nights would eventually take their toll.

Someone forgot to tell Eastern Wayne.

The resilient Warriors, who haven't backed down to an opponent all season, are right where they want to be -- in the hunt for a N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A football state championship.

"They've not been afraid to compete against New Bern, Conley and Rose and they've played their best at times when they've needed to and that's got to continue," said EW head coach Bubba Williams, whose team travels to unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Havelock for the eastern regional championship Friday evening.

"They've gotten better each week and that's contributed to the point where we're at right now. This group is close. They work hard together and play hard together. They're not going to do anything to let each other down."

Havelock is loaded with skill players.

Junior quarterback Travis Sabdo has completed 127 passes for 2,207 yards and 33 touchdowns. Six-foot junior wideout Michael Bowman is the main target with 46 catches for 905 yards and 11 TDs.

The backfield tandem of Derrell Scott and Taylor Woods has combined for 2,500-plus yards and 35 touchdowns. Scott has narrowed his college choices to South Carolina, Tennessee and N.C. State.

The Rams have outscored their opposition 617-73 this season.

"They've got good athletes and Jim Bob puts them in position to succeed," Williams said. "At the skill positions is where he wins his battles. If you can match up with them, tackle up front defensively, then you've got a chance. If you don't, they are going to run away with it.

"They really want to pick you apart and run the ball. We have to wrap up and take people down instead of trying to take kill shots."

Havelock is stout on defense, too.

The Rams have recorded 29.5 quarterback sacks, forced 27 turnovers and posted seven shutouts as a unit. Sophomore outside linebacker Keion Joyner leads the team in sacks (seven) and turnovers recovered (five), and has logged 88 stops overall.

"Joyner is athletic ... has really come into his own this year," Bryant said. "Our defensive coaches have put him in position to make tackles. He's a heckuva football player."

Senior linebacker Adrian Ramirez leads the team with 131 tackles.

Eastern Wayne is just the fourth football program in county history to reach the regional level in the postseason along with Rosewood, Goldsboro and Southern Wayne.