GAME CAPSULE: C.B. Aycock football @ J.H. Rose

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 28, 2016 9:59 AM

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C.B. AYCOCK (5-3, 1-2 ECC 3-A/4-A)

at J.H. ROSE (4-3, 3-0)

Last time out: C.B. Aycock lost 29-11 to New Bern; J.H. Rose d. Southern Wayne 68-28

Last meeting: 2015, Rose won 76-42

Notable: J.H. Rose fell to Charlotte Catholic in the state 4-A championship game a year ago. Golden Falcons are 4-0 on the road this season, while the Rampants have compiled a 1-3 worksheet at home. Rose is led by five seniors -- QB Ryan Goodwin (1,571 yards passing), RB Dontavies Harris (1,890 yards rushing), WR Caleb Edwards (839 yards), MLB Alex Nease (80 tackles) and DE Jamie Gaskins (7.5 sacks). CBA has lost all three conference meetings against Rose by a combined score of 155-36.

What are your impressions on Greenville Rose? "They're very athletic, very fast, well-coached (and) alive and kicking, and have been for years now. That train has definitely not derailed," CBA head coach Steve Brooks said.

How do you slow down their offense? "We have the same thing, too," Brooks said of his offense which features a 1,000-yard quarterback and 1,000-yard rusher. "They have to be wary of our offense as well. I think we could try to do the things we did defensively against New Bern last week. We finally started tackling, we made some big plays, we tackled their big running back. Maybe things are starting to come together for that (defensive) group...I hope so. (We need) three-and-outs, tackle in space, don't give up the big play."

How important is it to get the running game established and get Jake on target against Rose? "It's a major key. We've got to get back to running the football, that's where everything starts with us," Brooks said. "I've got to get us in better alignments and formations to give us a better chance, and call better plays. If we can run the ball a little bit...maybe dissect them a little bit (defensively) about the way we want to attack (at different spots). It's a huge test."

How well do you match up against the Rampants? "We match up fairly well at places across the field," Brooks said. "They still have better athletes than we do. We've got some guys who have experience playing at the varsity level three years now, and I think sometimes that's a key. I feel like our running back is just as good as their running back. I feel like our quarterback is just as good as their quarterback. Obviously, I like what our D-line has been doing. At this point in the year it's all about "want to."

With three weeks left in the regular season, how much are you emphasizing the importance of these games with your players? "I tell my guys we're not in the playoffs yet," Brooks said. "I think that's the thing we emphasize every day, and I think that's what's been keeping them driving and going. We haven't accomplished any of our goals yet, other than winning game one (of the season). I've got to constantly remind them because of the new playoff format they are not in."