Resilient Eagles ready to start postseason

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 13, 2014 1:49 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Rosewood head football coach Robert Britt talked with some of his players at different points during the week.

None seemed too shaken by a senior night loss to archrival Princeton. Instead, they were anxious to get back on the practice field and correct the little things that proved crucial against the Bulldogs.

"They've shown resilience all season after a loss," said Britt, whose team finished 6-5 in regular-season play after an 0-3 start. "That's how I've described this team all year."

The eighth-seeded Eagles seek redemption Friday against ninth-seeded East Carteret in opening-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA playoffs. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Branch Pope Field.

Admission is $7.

Britt's team struggled in the red zone against Princeton. The Bulldog defense stopped two drives on the 1-yard line and forced six turnovers on downs.

Rosewood's lone offensive touchdown was a 24-yard, first-quarter touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Cam Helt. The Eagles' defense recovered a third-quarter fumble in the end zone.

"I felt like we left some points out on the field not scoring inside the 20," Britt said. "We weren't able to make some big plays like we normally do and part of that was Princeton. We've got to get everybody on the same page this week."

The Eagles managed 236 yards of total offense.

East Carteret (5-6) operates out of the Wing-T scheme and runs a four-man on defense. The two schemes are nothing new to Rosewood, but will present stout challenges that require discipline.

Mariners quarterback Brennan Lewis spreads the offensive wealth among four players -- running backs Dominic Carter, Ty Simmons, Markel Miller and receiver Jacque Brown.

Carter, Simmons and Miller have accounted for 1,913 yards and 17 of the team's 18 total rushing TDs. Brown has caught 38 passes for 836 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"Their receiver catches everything you throw to him," Britt said. "Their offense and defense isn't anything that we haven't seen at any point this season. The one thing we have to do compared to this past Friday (against Princeton) is that we have to tackle better."

Simmons and Miller lead the defense with 60 and 33 tackles, respectively. The unit has allowed 28 points or more in seven games this season.

East Carteret hasn't won a playoff game since 2006 when it advanced to the eastern 1-AA semifinals. The Mariners have dropped their last four playoff games, including an overtime loss to Camden one year ago.

The Eagles are making their 13th straight postseason appearance, but are just 2-8 in playoff openers since 2004.