Defense propels Warriors past Firebirds

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 22, 2014 11:22 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

STANHOPE -- Eastern Wayne quarterback KK Best scoped out the defense and discovered Southern Nash elected not to load the box, but provide a little cushion instead.

That gave Best the room he needed.

The junior signal caller stayed in the pocket and connected on a short pass to Deshawn Boudy, who turned the play into a back-breaking 68-yard touchdown.

"Their corners played back about 10 yards and we knew the screen would be open," Best said. "Coach (Bubba Williams) pointed it out a lot (at practice). We just executed ... got what we wanted."

Best's hookup to one of his taller receivers helped propel the Warriors past the Firebirds, 24-17, in second-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs. Fifth-seeded Eastern Wayne (10-2 overall) visits No. 1-ranked Southern Guilford next Friday.

On an evening when Eastern Wayne's offense sputtered miserably, its defense hummed like a well-oiled machine. The quick and athletic unit coaxed Southern Nash into six turnovers, including two miscues that led to first-half touchdowns.

Dameko Artis returned a fumble 76 yards for a touchdown.

The Warriors' second score came off of a bizarre play. The fourth-seeded Firebirds (9-4) intercepted a Best pass inside the 5-yard line, but fumbled the ball. Eastern Wayne recovered it and Best plunged in from the 2 on the next play.

"Defense, I don't think I can say enough," said Williams, whose squad held the high-flying Firebirds to 188 yards of total offense.

"We had guys getting to the ball, making plays (against) a tough offense to defend. We're not necessarily the biggest team and that kind of hurts us in areas. I think our kids did a good job of working through it, tackling really well, creating turnovers to help the offense out."

The Warriors compiled 318 yards of total offense, but failed to convert three red-zone possessions. Two trips resulted in turnovers -- an interception and a fumble inside the Firebirds' 10-yard line.

Best rushed for 87 yards, threw for another 153 yards and accounted for two touchdowns.

"We played miserably on offense tonight and we've got to work on some things, but at this time of year that's what you want another week to do that," said Williams, whose team had three turnovers and committed costly penalties that halted potential scoring drives.

Kendall Parker's interception set up the Firebirds' first touchdown -- a two-yard dive by Grant Jones barely two minutes into the third quarter. Eastern Wayne answered with Cameron Dove's 28-yard field goal.

Southern Nash responded two minutes later on Jaquay Mitchell's 43-yard touchdown reception from Zack Foster.

Less than 90 seconds later, the Best-Boudy hookup provided a little wiggle room. A Firebird defender grabbed Boudy by the ankle and appeared to stop him short of the first-down marker.

But Boudy stepped free, got a block and raced down the sideline to push the Warriors' lead back to double digits, 24-14.

"He made an excellent play," Williams. "We wanted him to get the yards for the first down and he did more. You can't say enough about the competitiveness of him."

The Firebirds climbed to within 24-17 on Ismael Rodriguez's 32-yard field goal, but would stall on their next offensive possession. The Warriors took over and held the ball the remaining 5 minutes, 49 seconds of the game.

Eastern Wayne emerged victorious in a road playoff contest for the first time in 1978 -- ironically in Nash County, but against Rocky Mount Senior High.