PREVIEW -- North Lenoir @ Goldsboro

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on October 6, 2016 10:09 AM

• Print
• Email

Goldsboro's first six games of the season did not quite go as planned.

The Cougars have been outscored 246-76, with the closest margin being a 21-7 home loss to crosstown rival Eastern Wayne.

But Goldsboro is fresh off a bye week, and Cougars' head coach Bennett Johnson is looking to leave the past behind.

"We've been harping on the fact that this is a fresh start for us," Johnson said. "We're 0-0 for the main part of our season. We've really been concentrating on us. (We're) just trying to become tougher, become better tacklers and execute better."

That fresh start begins tonight as Johnson's team attempts to revive its offense against North Lenoir, a team that is just 1-5 and has allowed 41 points per game.

It's the Eastern Carolina 2-A opener for both teams.

Johnson said the key to igniting the offense will be staying ahead of the chains, maintaining physicality at the line of scrimmage and most importantly, providing momentum for quarterback KJ Alston.

"I think we have to do a better job of getting KJ going," Johnson said. "Getting him some completions early on and passing earlier in the downs. I really feel like if we can get KJ going, then our whole offense will get clicking."

Alston has 472 yards of total offense this season and six total TDs. He is second on the team in rushing with 142 yards. His main target through the air has been Jacob Owens, who is the Cougars' only receiver with more than 100 yards.

Zxavior Bowden leads the team with 261 yards rushing.

Alston will lead the Cougars against a Hawks' defense that has allowed at least 55 points in their last three outings.

Johnson, however, isn't taking North Lenoir's defense lightly.

"They started to play guys both ways to start the second half of the season," Johnson said. "Early on in the season, they were just playing guys one-way on offense or defense. I think it's made them a little bit tougher to handle. They fly around and seem sure about what they're doing."

Even though the first half of the year has been less than ideal, Johnson believes the season can be salvaged.

The third-year head coach said the message to the team this week has been clear -- tonight's game is the start of a new chapter.

"If we can get this thing rolling, this is the time to get it rolling," Johnson said. "We still control our destiny, and we can still have a special season. And it starts (tonight). So I tell our kids, it's all about North Lenoir and one game at a time."