FOOTBALL: Saints, Warriors looking to build momentum

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on October 28, 2016 9:59 AM

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Friday nights in the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference are an absolute grind.

No two teams would agree with that statement more than Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne.

The last two outings for each team were against 4-A schools -- games that may as well be forgotten.

The Saints hosted J.H. Rose and South Central, and lost by a combined score of 127-42. As bad as that seems, the Warriors may have had the rougher stretch. In two road games against New Bern and D.H. Conley, EW was outscored 68-0.

The Warriors haven't scored a touchdown since Sept. 23 against South Central.

"One of the biggest things we worked on this week is just making sure we get that O-line together, open it up and also protect our quarterback," said EW head coach Leander Oates.

EW averages just 13.6 points per game -- last in the conference. The Warriors have just five total rushing TDs.

Even though it has not translated into wins, the SW offense has fared much better in comparison. The Saints score 28.8 points per game.

"Coming off the ball and having speed," said SW head coach Ronnie McClary Jr., in regard to reigniting the offense. "If you come off the ball offensive-line wise and our skill guys outrun their guys, we should be pretty good."

SW hasn't defeated EW since 2010. Four of the five consecutive losses were by double digits.

And the Warriors will be playing their first home game in five weeks.

"Hopefully we come out and open up strong," Oates said. "One of the biggest things we have to do is finish the game. But it's always good to be in front of our Warrior family."

The Saints have played well against county opponents in 2016. In two home contests, SW dominated Goldsboro 71-24 and went toe-to-toe with C.B. Aycock in a 30-28 loss.

McClary said the extra motivation may prove to be vital during tonight's matchup against the Warriors.

"It's a conference game, and it lets us know if we're still in playoff contention," McClary said. "And it's also a county rivalry. Any time you play a county rival against guys you might be familiar with, or you might be related to or friends with, that puts an added spark to the game."