PREP FOOTBALL: Goldsboro seeks 1st win of 2016

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 9, 2016 9:57 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- Learn and move on.

It's the message Bennett Johnson gave his Goldsboro troops not long after Tuesday's ghastly loss at county rival Southern Wayne. The Cougars are beat up physically, mentally and emotionally.

Now it's time to show character.

And put three weeks of frustration to rest.

Johnson brings his squad to Hardy Talton Stadium tonight for a matchup with offensive juggernaut Charles B. Aycock. He hopes to see his team end a five-game skid and erase what transpired just three days earlier in Dudley.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"I told the guys in practice Wednesday that there is still a lot of football in front of us, so we still have plenty to pay for," the third-year head coach said. "We feel like we're better than what we've showed the first three weeks. But, at some point, we've got to go out and prove that.

"The name of the game for us (tonight) is to match their physicality."

That's not the only goal.

Goldsboro's defense has to contend with a prolific offense that averages gaudy numbers in four categories -- total yards (1,407), yards per game (469), yards each play (9.2) and points per outing (48).

Caleb Gough, who returns from a one-game suspension, and Mike Hemmingway share the backfield workload. The duo has combined for nearly 600 yards rushing and five TDs.

Senior Jake Flowers leads an air-raid attack that's accumulated just under 600 yards so far. He's spread 28 completions among seven receivers, including 12 to Chandler Matthews and eight to Luke Frederick. Half of Frederick's receptions, which covered a career-best 133 yards, occurred against North Lenoir.

"We will definitely have our hands full," Johnson said. "We've got to be physically ready for a battle in the trenches. That's where it's going to be won or lost. They'll take your will from you if you're not ready."

Although bragging rights are on the line, there are higher stakes.

CBA (2-1 overall) wants another victory to help bolster its playoff chances and finally earn that elusive home postseason game. To make that happen, head coach Steve Brooks said two factors are crucial -- developing a better balance on offense and executing tackling assignments.

During the break after weather suspended the North Lenoir game, some of the defensive players called the coaches and discussed what they saw on film. The missed assignments ignited a fire under the players and they shut down the Hawks during the final 10-plus minutes of their game Monday.

"Our defensive scheme has been fine all year," Brooks said. "The kids on the field have to get themselves in position to play. They've got to want to go tackle. They've got to want to make plays.

"All of our kids want to step up and be better."

Johnson said his team must perservere through adversity, sustain drives to keep Aycock's offense off the field and play four quarters of football. The Cougars must avoid silly penalties and turnovers which have been their Achilles heel.

Goldsboro (0-3) has won five of the last six meetings against the Golden Falcons, including a 33-9 triumph at Cougar Stadium a year ago. Aycock leads the all-time series 8-7.