Prep notebook: 'Good hands' Baker produced at the end

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on November 10, 2014 1:48 PM

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Joe Baker spent the last few weeks of the season trying to get his hands back to where they were last season.

He had some costly drops against Kinston in a 24-20 loss and knew if Goldsboro was going to make the playoffs he couldn't afford any more. Baker responded by catching nearly everything thrown his way for the last four games for 396 yards and seven touchdowns.

"I focused a lot on getting my body and my speed right, and kind of stopped paying attention to my hands and my hands are kind of what I've been known for," Baker said. "The last few weeks I've been getting back to that."

Quarterback Nashir Bowden improved his accuracy over the last four weeks and threw for 672 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Unfortunately for Baker, the improvement from the two catalysts on the offense wasn't enough for the Cougars to sneak into the playoffs.

Not enough offense

Rosewood couldn't consistently move the chains and Princeton's defense never allowed its archrival to develop any offensive rhythm.

The Bulldogs, on occasion, would allow a big gain and follow that up with a stop at -- or near -- the line of scrimmage.

"Princeton made some adjustments and did a good job stopping us when we did get something going," RHS head coach Robert Britt said.

The Eagles ran 24 more offensive plays than the Bulldogs, but averaged less than four yards per attempt -- well below their season average of 6.7 per play. Britt's team was out-gained 537-236 in total yards.

Bryant loss hurts

Goldsboro starting cornerback Jeriq Bryant dislocated his shoulder as the Cougars warmed up for their final game of the season.

He went to the emergency room.

Goldsboro was forced to scramble to replace Bryant, who played corner and was the team's holder on field goals. Emon Bufkin stepped in for Bryant on the defensive side and played well with five tackles.

The Cougars, however, couldn't solve the special teams issue.

"We tried to replace him and Luke went out there after the first touchdown to kick the extra point and missed and came back and said 'I don't think this is going to work'," Cougars coach Bennett Johnson said. "So we were forced to go for two from there."

Bryant got his shoulder put into a sling and was back on the sideline by the end of the game.

"It says a lot about the atmosphere and the unity we have here that he would dislocate his shoulder go to the ER and get back here to be with his team," Johnson said.

Running at will

A Division I recruit and Shrine Bowl pick in your backfield makes any defense stand up and take notice.

Add a bruising fullback and the opponent becomes tougher to defend.

Senior Johnny Frasier, the school's all-time career rushing leader, recorded his second consecutive 200-yard outing. Backfield mate Adrian Whack cranked out 76 yards and a 23-yard touchdown gallop.

Overall, Princeton rushed for 422 yards as a team.

"When you've got a Division I running back and an offensive line that's really good, and a quarterback that makes good decisions ...," Britt said as his voice trailed off and he gathered his thoughts.

"In the running game, we got guys to the ball, we just had a hard time tackling them. Again, you've got to give credit there to Princeton. They're going to be tough to beat."