FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Eagles' defense must contain Bethel's running game

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 4, 2016 9:57 AM

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KINSTON -- Each time Bethel Christian takes an offensive snap tonight, Wayne Christian's defense has one objective -- find No. 6.

That's Javon Edwards for those of you who don't have a BC roster handy.

Edwards logged six touchdowns and 359 yards rushing on his worksheet during their previous meeting 29 days ago. The Trojans reeled off a 58-24 win.

"He's a powerhouse," WCS head coach Scott Pender said of Edwards, a 210-pound junior who slashed through opposing defenses for 2,455 yards and 37 touchdowns this season.

"They're giving him the ball every time. I've tried to make some changes on our defense to isolate him -- use two of my key defensive players on him no matter if he gets the ball or not.

"Then it becomes a game of strategy."

With high stakes on the line, no less.

The winner advances to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A 8-man state championship.

Kickoff for this semifinal-round clash between the Colonial Carolina Conference rivals is 7 p.m. at Barnett Park.

Edwards averages 9.6 yards per carry.

But he's not the Trojans' lone weapon. Junior quarterback Austin Eubanks has generated 849 yards of total offense -- 678 rushing and 171 passing. He's sniffed out the end zone on 11 occasions this season.

They've toted the mail -- a combined 393 touches on BC's 470 total offensive plays to be exact.

"We're going to focus on stopping the run and No. 6...just try to play good defense," WCS senior Kanin Preskitt said. "I think we feel more confident coming in. We know they're a big team, but we've played them and know some of the things they do."

The fourth-seeded Eagles are a different team, too.

Slick-handling quarterback DJ Waters has recovered from a concussion that sidelined him for three weeks. Other players have mended dislocated shoulders and a variety of broken bones that left Pender searching for substitutes instead of fully concentrating on his gameplan.

Since then, the Eagles have spread their wings.

Wayne Christian (3-6 overall) has prevailed in three of its last four outings after an 0-5 start.

"Once we got everybody in place and we had a system, people have started playing together -- feed off each other and know what each other is going to do," Pender said. "It's taken a good chunk of the season to get to this point."

Waters and Austin Kornegay have been the Eagles' stalwarts on offense. Kornegay is coming off a career-best 254-yard performance two weeks ago against Lawrence Academy.

They'll need similar success against BC's defense, which has held opponents to two touchdowns or less on four occasions during its seven-game win streak.

"I do feel like it's a winnable ballgame (and) I think they've got a stronger team," Pender said. "We've got to play absolutely perfect football and capitalize on any mistakes they make."

Just don't forget No. 6.