Prep notebook: Johnson finds favorable matchup against Franklinton

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on August 25, 2014 1:48 PM

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Bennett Johnson, like most coaches, is a "run-first" guy.

However, the former prep quarterback, couldn't help but smile after finding a favorable receiving matchup involving Joe Baker.

The senior hauled in nine passes for 121 yards in Goldsboro's season-opening, 29-20 loss to Franklinton on Friday.

"We'll like that matchup all year long," grinned Johnson.

Baker's best reception was a short pass play down the left sideline in the second half. He caught it over his left shoulder, tip-toed along the white stripe and finally stepped out of bounds at the 1-yard line.

Cougar quarterback Nashir Bowden scored on the next play.

"We found something in the passing game," Johnson said. "Nashir was trying to be too perfect early on and I said 'son, just settle down and throw the ball'. Once he settled down, he started making some plays."

Bowden finished 16 of 37 passing for 198 yards.

A long time coming

C.B. Aycock's season-opening, 43-15 win over Rosewood ended 318 days without a victory.

The Golden Falcons started 3-0 last season, but dropped eight of their final nine games.

"Been a long time since we had a 'W,' so it's great to start the year 1-0," CBA head coach Steve Brooks said. "It's a lot of excitement here."

Please get up

The team with the smallest roster in the area, Rosewood had four players go down with injuries, including starting linemen Rayquon Jones and Tyree Chavious.

Both players toughed it out and their injuries don't appear too serious.

"If a player gets hurt we might be losing two guys," RHS head coach Robert Britt said after the season opener against C.B. Aycock.

"Then you have to bring in someone who might not be ready yet."

No one-dimensional 'O'

While Goldsboro managed to click -- somewhat -- in the passing game, it couldn't find any open real estate against Franklinton.

The Red Rams three down linemen contained both gaps and the linebackers prevented the Cougars' running backs from reaching the next level. The lack of run production resulted in nine plays that went for either zero or lost yardage.

Goldsboro ended the night with 28 rushing yards on 17 carries.

"We've got to fire off a little harder, we've got to hit our holes a little harder," Johnson said. "If we want to have a good year, we're going to have to be able to run the ball better than we did tonight, there's no doubt about that."

Extra duty

Rosewood kicker Marquail Almontaser is taking on more responsibility this season as he slides into a role as a wide receiver.

The speedy junior got behind the C.B. Aycock defense, made a nice adjustment to the ball and caught an 82-yard touchdown from Cameron Helt for the team's first score of the season.

"He's a two-sport athlete for us," Britt said. "He plays soccer for us and plays football. For the past two years he just kicked, but in the offseason he told us he really wants to do something other than kick. So, he worked with us all summer and got better.

"So now that both sports are at the same time he splits time with us and the soccer team. He's going to get better."