Prep notebook: Griffin makes amends, contributes well in Cougars' loss

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on October 20, 2014 1:49 PM

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Two weeks ago, Ray'quan Griffin got kicked out of practice by head coach Bennett Johnson for being more about himself than the rest of the team.

He was trash-talking his own teammates and eventually it just went too far.

Johnson sent Griffin to the lockerroom.

But in the days leading up to their game against Kinston, the junior defensive back proved to Johnson that he is a team player and not all about himself. So, Johnson sent Griffin in for his first play on offense all season and drew the play up specifically for him.

Griffin caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Nashir Bowden to give Goldsboro a 7-0 lead.

Later in the game, Griffin was in his usual defensive spot as the Cougars tried to hold off Kinston on a late fourth down attempt. Griffin took a blocker, shed him and instead of trying to force a strip or go for a big hit, he shoved Kinston's K'haire Dixon out of bounds short of the first down.

"He's a come long a way in two weeks," Johnson said. "His attitude has really changed. I hope he keeps that up. I'm proud of how he's become more of a team player."

Gaudy offense

Eastern Wayne punched in touchdowns on nine of 13 possessions in its impressive dismantling of No. 8-ranked J.H. Rose on Friday evening.

The Warriors' remaining four possessions end twice on punts, a turnover on downs and when time expired in the second quarter. The unit piled up a season-high 584 yards of total offense and averaged 7.2 yards per play.

EW ran 81 offensive plays compared to 45 for Rose.

"Our kids made some plays tonight that we didn't make against New Bern," Warriors head coach Bubba Williams said. "We had more receptions tonight, which allowed us to run more of our offense. Our offensive line gave us a little more protection, but our receivers made some plays to keep us going.

"We finally got back on the offensive track we started early in the year and we had a lot of success."

The Warriors' 63-point output was the most in a conference game since their 55-28 win over North Lenoir on Nov. 5, 2010.

Eagles soaring

Rosewood is making a case to be one of the surprises in the Carolina 1-A conference this year after winning its fifth game in the last six weeks -- a 44-20 win over North Duplin on Friday.

It wa the most points the Eagles have put up all season.

But defense, instead, was the key. A deadly front seven led by Tyree Chavious and Garrett Tyndall kept the Rebels' running game in check. The Eagles entered the contest allowing 31 points a game they lose.

Not one-dimensional

PRINCETON -- Considered a one-man show entering the year, Princeton has proven there's more to its offense than future Florida State player Johnny Frasier.

At least 12 different players have scored TDs for Princeton this season. Frasier leads the group with 19 touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Wooten has thrown 14 TD passes and rushed for seven TDs. Adrian Whack, Malcolm Best and Tanner Woodard each have four touchdowns.

With the playoffs just around the corner, Princeton may continue to spread the wealth or get Frasier more touches on the ball. The senior averages 15 touches compared to 25 per contest in 2013.