FOOTBALL: Warriors let 14-point lead slip away

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on September 11, 2016 1:48 AM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

During a mid-week press obligation, Eastern Wayne varsity football coach Leander Oates discussed the value of his team playing assignment football against Greene Central.

The Warriors needed to fill lanes. Contain space. Above all else, attack.

On Friday night, they did just that against the run-heavy Rams, but watched the plan suffer a crippling breakdown late in the first half, then bottom out completely during a handkerchief-filled second stanza.

The result?

An up-in-smoke, 41-14 defeat that was more accidental than anything else.

"It came on us," Oates remarked post-game. "We pretty much got after ourselves, all those penalties... allowed them to march."

But for a long while, EW's errand-based approach looked to be the right one. The Warriors opened cleanly, forcing the Rams into a brief three-and-out on their opening possession, then a turnover on downs during their next. Following each stop were crafty, diverse touchdown drives showcasing a bevy of blue-and-gold skill players.

Quarterback Ezekiel Best opened the scoring column by launching a 25-yard touchdown strike to Anthony McNair, then made the score 14-0 three minutes later with a 1-yard keeper on fourth and goal.

From there, however, the tide began to shift.

The Rams, aided by two EW penalties, gained field position and went about the course of a nine-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. Senior Unique Johnson capped the affair with a 10-yard pylon grab, trimming the deficit to 14-7.

Then the tide became the Twilight Zone.

Johnson struck again for the Rams, this time from 20 yards, punctuating a movement abetted by an EW targeting call. And following a Warrior fumble, the Rams' Willie Edwards shattered the goal line from a yard out to make the score 20-14.

The real kicker, however, came with just 10 seconds remaining in the half. A lingering GC kickoff was misplayed by the Warriors, then subsequently scraped around by both teams. When the fumbling, stumbling, 25-yard melee finally settled, the Rams emerged with the luggage at the EW 2-yard line.

On the ensuing play, quarterback Jackson Batchelor stood tall in the pocket and found Dajon Thaggard over the middle for a GC touchdown -- its third in just over 90 seconds.

Rams 28, Warriors wilted.

The second half was a red, white and blue coronation with Greene Central picking and choosing its spots off tackle. Johnson and Edwards salted away the procession, chewing valuable clock with each carry and leading GC to seven time-consuming first downs.

The Warriors, stung by what transpired late in the first half, never found a reliable offensive rhythm. Their final drive of the game -- its only penalty-free effort of the half -- was thwarted by an interception at the Rams' 11-yard line with 3:59 remaining.

Done and done.

"When you give a team with that caliber of running game (opportunities), they'll pound you right out," a frustrated Oates said. "(But) hat's off to Greene Central."

The loss was the first of the season for the Warriors (2-1 overall), who must regroup before next week's tilt at West Carteret. The Rams (3-1) are the guests of Farmville Central.

A few notes from Friday's game:

HANKY-PANKY

* The Warriors were whistled for 10 penalties on the evening, including back-to-back personal fouls that were the basis for GC's outburst late in the opening half.

MALYK BOTTLED

Two weeks after running wild in the Wayne County Classic, EW's all-purpose performer found the going tough on Friday, gaining just 58 yards on 14 carries.

Tailback U

* The Greene Central duo of Johnson and Williams continued its march through area foes this season, producing 195 yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries.

QUOTABLE

Of his team's assignment-based approach, Oates remarked, "Yes... all assignments are graded -- and I'll be up all night."