Lee puts trust in Tyaire Allen

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 11, 2014 1:46 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Tyaire Allen couldn't believe what he heard.

"Punt team, get ready!" shouted Southern Wayne head coach David Lee.

A partisan Saints crowd cheered for Lee to go for it on 4th-and-1 with his team backed up in the shadow of its own end zone.

Allen didn't want to punt.

"Coach, we can get this," Allen said. "Let's go for it."

Lee listened to his senior.

The Saints trotted back to the line of scrimmage, quarterback Jacob Hollingsworth took the snap and handed off to Allen. The senior squared his shoulders, found a seam outside the left tackle and ripped off a 10-yard run.

The chains moved.

"I knew if we got it, we could run out the clock," Lee said. "That was a big risk. I love it when we pound the football because I'm running-type of guy.

"I've been looking for that kind of confidence out of this young group."

Lee saddled up Allen and the Saints rode the 170-pounder for the rest of the drive that ended on the Goldsboro 1-yard line as time expired. Allen finished the night with 182 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, including 11 touches on the final offensive possession.

Allen took one play off to get a sip of water and watched from the sidelines as sophomore Manny Walker broke off a 14-yard gain.

"We really felt like we had other backs that could go in and do the job, but Ty is a senior," Lee said. "I told him, 'Ty, you've got to stay in the game if you can because we need the ball in your hands.' I thought he did a great job when got the ball.

"I'm just happy for that young man."

Hollingsworth spread the wealth among Allen, Walker, senior Nick Kennon and senior DJ Graham throughout the first half. The group combined to rush for 55 yards on 13 carries that included Allen's 32-yard touchdown gallop late in the second quarter.

The Cougar defense sacked Hollingsworth twice.

Southern Wayne opened the second half with an eight-play scoring drive that included seven rushes -- four by Allen. His 2-yard scamper pushed the Saints' advantage to 22-8.

"It was a very physical game and we just came ready to play," said Allen, who also played cornerback defensively and helped the Saints come up with two big stops on a fourth-quarter goal-line stand.

"Our line dug down deep, they made holes for us to run and we just got the job done. It's all about hustle and heart."