Best is healthy, which is good news for the Warriors

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 18, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

KK Best is finally 100 percent.

The dual-threat quarterback received the "all clear" from doctors earlier this week when an MRI didn't reveal any damage to either his ACL or MCL.

That's good news for Eastern Wayne.

"He can go full steam," Warriors head coach Phil Gray said.

And become a major headache for opposing defensive coordinators, who just might need to stock an extra supply of aspirin in their medicine kits for the remainder of the season.

Gray kept his most-athletic player on a short leash after he injured his right knee during the team's final preseason scrimmage against Corinth-Holders. Best sat out the Warriors' season opener at North Lenoir, and has since worked himself back onto the field.

He's taken snaps under center and played defense when needed.

Best should get more playing time Friday when the Warriors (1-2 overall) play host to West Carteret. It's the teams' first meeting since their third-round playoff encounter in 2013.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"On film, they look like one of the fastest teams that we'll play (this season)," said first-year West Carteret head coach Daniel Barrow Jr., who is an alum of Rosewood High. "Their quarterback is probably the quickest guy we've seen all year. They can make some big plays and have the capability of going the distance at any time."

Gray hopes to see a different KK.

He'd also like to see Eastern Wayne's offense produce in the red zone. The Warriors fumbled twice and had a bad snap on a field goal attempt -- all the first quarter -- against Greene Central last week. The Warriors ended up losing 28-0.

It was the team's first shutout loss in its last 37 outings.

"We've went back to the basics," Gray said. "This week, we're working and focusing on Eastern Wayne. (We're) working on the things that we have to do to get better ... minimize turnovers, improve our offense (and) score when we get into the red zone."

Eastern Wayne has scored just 64 points this season, including 43 in its opener against North Lenoir. Robert Gonzalez and Devonte Corum have rushed for 205 and 169 yards, respectively. The duo has combined for four touchdowns.

Gonzalez, Best and Zeke Best have combined for 30 pass attempts.

Barrow isn't fooled by the Warriors' low offensive production. He had to replace the Patriots' entire defense during the offseason due to various reasons. West has surrendered 30 or more points in its four losses this season.

"That unit is getting a little bit better," Barrow said. "The big key is we can't have any lapses in responsibility or lapse in effort or lapse in concentration on defense. We have to be dialed in every snap and play. That's going to be our big goal this week."