Bowden, Goldsboro win 40-7, qualify for playoffs

By John Joyce
Published in Sports on November 4, 2017 8:58 PM

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SPIVEYS CORNER -- Hammer down.

Junior tailback Zxavior Bowden rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns as Goldsboro filed a bother-me-not, 40-7 victory on Friday over woeful Midway.

The performance, which brought Bowden to 2,026 yards on the season, also helped lock up a playoff berth for the Cougars, whose only victory a season ago came via a forfeit by Charles B. Aycock.

Quarterback Brody Morton also performed ably for GHS, directing the blue-and-gold offense with precision and completing 12 of 16 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown. Senior wideout Stephane Pognon also continued his solid play of late, hauling in three receptions for 95 yards.

"We started a little slow during the first half, but a few encouraging words motivated our players to stay focused," Goldsboro head coach Elvin James said. "Our O-Line did an outstanding job up front as well... Bowden's passing the 2,000-yard mark is a great achievement and I'm glad I had an opportunity to watch it... I'm truly proud of my seniors who helped lay the foundation for next year, but we're not finished yet."

Playoff Implications

Courtesy of its victory, Goldsboro was awarded the 14th seed in next week's N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state playoffs. The Cougars will travel to face Southwest Onslow, the classification's No. 3 seed, who went 8-3 during the regular season.