Cougars, Chargers play pivotal ECC 2A football game

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on October 30, 2015 1:48 PM

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bdavis@newsargus.com

It's not the quote Darth Vader said to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode V, but it still sounds pretty good.

"Playoff wise, we control our destiny," Goldsboro head coach Bennett Johnson said, who is focused on his team's next two games. "We gotta make sure we do what we can do."

The Cougars (5-4 overall) play host to Ayden-Grifton in a crucial Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference game tonight. The two teams, along with No. 8-ranked Greene Central, are all 2-1 in conference play.

Goldsboro visits GC on Nov. 6.

One win in the next two games could possibly assure the Cougars of a berth in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

"We're looking good," said Johnson, whose team defeated South Lenoir 64-6 last week, just seven days after a four-touchdown loss to league-leading and unbeaten Kinston.

"If we can win the next two, we have an outside shot at a playoff game. So, we have a whole lot to play for."

Senior quarterback Na'shir Bowden rushed for 14 yards in the loss against Kinston and had 90 yards passing. However, he rushed for 17 yards, had 199 yards passing with three touchdowns.

Ayden-Grifton, the preseason pick to win its third straight ECC title, enters the game 5-4. The Chargers' lone loss came against Greene Central and they face Kinston next Friday.

"We're preparing hard for them (Chargers)," Johnson said. "We need to be as prepared as we can and make sure that Goldsboro High School plays the best that they can on Friday night."