Warriors present Gray with first head coaching win

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on August 22, 2015 11:25 PM

• Print
• Email

La GRANGE -- Eastern Wayne's defense suffocated North Lenoir early, the Warrior offense scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and rolled to a season-opening, 43-10 victory on Friday evening.

"Kids played well. One game at a time," said first-year Eastern Wayne head coach Phil Gray, who took a picture of the scoreboard and added he planned to frame it.

He should.

Senior quarterback Robert Gonzalez filled in for normal starter KK Best, who sat out due to a sprained knee he suffered in the Warriors' scrimmage against Corinth-Holders. Gonzalez handed the ball off to wide receiver Austin Hite, who scored the Warriors' fifth touchdown on a 55-yard run.

"He played well," Gray said of Gonzalez. "We need to work on his steps and drops on passing."

Maybe so, but Gonzalez and his teammates proved to be a test for the Hawks. Their two points came in the second quarter when the Warriors carelessly snapped the ball into the end zone.

North Lenoir would not score a touchdown until the 9:31 mark of the fourth quarter. It was set up by an Eastern Wayne fumble at the 30-yard line.

"We need to get old blood out and get new blood pumping," said first-year North Lenoir head coach Kimbo Brown. "Minimal mistakes killed us. We fumbled at 50 and 60 yards (on offense). (It) comes with time. Be patient, Stay as positive as you can.

"(It's) easy to be negative).

The Hawks made a late push in the fourth quarter, but were no match for the Warriors, who continued to score. Senior running back Devonte Corum had a 50-yard touchdown run with 9:22 left in the game.

"We played hard. We need to work on getting better," Gray said. "We play Goldsboro next."