Williams: Linemen must block on both sides of the ball

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on August 28, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

The last time Eastern Wayne head coach Bubba Williams was on the field with then-Goldsboro offensive coordinator Bennett Johnson. The Cougars put up 48 points and handed Williams' squad a 22-point loss.

Williams hasn't forgotten.

And things are different now.

Johnson is the head coach at Goldsboro, which had its string of seven consecutive playoff appearances snapped last fall. The Warriors reached the eastern 3-A regional championship and return most of the skill athletes who got them there.

The Cougars are replacing their top offensive weapon with an undersized running back -- 135-pounder Rayvonne Barnes. Eastern Wayne is hoping a former running back, junior KK Best, can continue his transition to quarterback and fill in for former all-area selection Mitch Pike, who transferred during the spring.

One thing that hasn't changed is the heated rivalry that exists between the crosstown teams. They meet for the 52nd time Friday at Cougar Stadium.

"It's going to be a physical game," Williams said. "It always has been and it probably always will be."

That's what concerns Williams most.

Despite a 43-6 thrashing of North Lenoir in the season opener, Williams wasn't pleased with the physicality his trenchworkers brought to the table. He insists both the offensive and defensive lines need to improve for this week's contest.

"Our offensive line needs to get better," Williams said bluntly. "They've got the potential but potential isn't doing us much good right now. Defensive line didn't play bad. They've got some of the parts working, but overall we need to get better up front."

Skill players Dayshawn Prigden and Best didn't seem to mind -- they found enough room to combine for more than 160 rushing yards. Their abilities are a testament to what they can do on offense.

But, if Eastern Wayne wants to win its second straight game in the series, the lines can't falter again.

"Any week you could have people get hurt," Williams said. "Quarterback, ball carriers and if that happens those injuries start to wear on you a little bit. I don't think we beat Goldsboro if we're not winning in the trenches. They're a good group ... always have big linemen good up front and we need to fix that."

Along with the physicality, Eastern Wayne will have to be cognizant of Goldsboro's dangerous passing attack. The Cougars don't want to throw the ball all over the field, but last week quarterback Nashir Bowden completed 16 passes on 37 attempts for 198 yards and a touchdown.

"They got down early, but the fact that they were able to throw that many times is a testament to what Bennett's trying to do," Williams said. "We're going to have to defend. Our back end is a little bit better than last year and I think we should be able to hold up against it. Last year, (Bowden) completed a lot of balls on us. A bunch of hitches, pop routes, screens and things like that.

"We have to be ready."