Prep football notebook: C.B. Aycock in playoffs, but Saints could play spoiler role

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on October 6, 2014 1:48 PM

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DUDLEY -- With a win over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference rival Southern Wayne on Friday, Charles B. Aycock assured itself of a playoff berth.

But it's not etched in stone.

The Saints can still play the spoiler role -- in a mathematical sense. Two victories over any of the 4-A teams in the ECC and a monumental upset of Eastern Wayne could bump CBA from the postseason. The Golden Falcons have the required number of wins (4) to make the playoffs, but still must play three 4-A teams and Eastern Wayne.

Patchwork Saints

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne lost left tackle Marcus Elliot to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) a few weeks ago, and had to play with four sophomores on a patchwork offensive line against Aycock Friday night.

The sophomores did a good job keeping Alex Bradley upright for most of the game. The Golden Falcons were only able to get to the Saints quarterback twice.

"Marcus is a big loss," SW coach David Lee said. "He's got so much size. But the other guys have filled in well and they're working hard. Can't ask for much more from four sophomores."

Let it go

DUDLEY -- CBA quarterback TJ Morrow doesn't have too many flaws in his game, but coach Steve Brooks found one against the Saints -- he was holding on to the ball too long.

Brooks attributed it to an interception Morrow threw on the first possession, where a linebacker flashed in front of Morrow's face and made for a high throw that receiver Jimmy Ellis had go through his hands. It was one of our four dropped passes from Morrow's receivers.

"It might be a combination of both (dropped passes and what Morrow was seeing)," Brooks said. "He told me he saw that linebacker flash in front of his face again so he pulled it down."

Faison shines

DUDLEY -- Shamar Faison and his high-motor style of play on the defensive line caused problems for Aycock all night. He lined up all over the defensive line, sometimes even stacking directly behind a lineman as a blitzing linebacker. He was able to bust through into the backfield and force Morrow out of the pocket numerous times.

"Shamar he's got a great motor, he's never going to quit," Lee said. "His technique isn't always the best, he's not the strongest guy out there, but he never quits."

Numbers down

DUDLEY -- Aycock's defense continues to improve from last season's performance of giving up 41.8 points per game. They surrendered just 12 to the Saints.

The defense outscored Southern Wayne.

Two interceptions returned for touchdowns and a safety gave the Aycock defense 16 points. Devout team trash-talker Jamel Perry took an interception back 30 yards for a touchdown. Defensive coaches Allen Thomas, Dave Elmore and Tyheim Pitt couldn't help but laugh, knowing Perry will constantly remind them of the time he took an interception back for a score.

"He's never going to let them hear the end of that," Brooks said. "Not till graduation day."