PREP FOOTBALL: Eagles, Cougars, Saints hook up for 7-on-7 action

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on June 28, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

"Two minutes!"

Goldsboro's defendeers dug their cleats into the soft turf.

"Bama! Bama! Bama!"

Rosewood quarterback Michael Reid slapped his hands.

"Hut!"

Seconds later, the Rosewood senior dropped back and connected on a touchdown pass.

Three quick shrills of the whistle cut into the thick, humid air.

Reid and assistant coach Jason King exchanged high-fives, and headed toward the sideline. The players listened to the coaches' critiques as they sipped on cool water with their backs to a hot, baking sun that refused to hover behind a few dark clouds that floated in the sky.

"A lot of this is just building off of last week at FCA camp," RHS offensive coordinator Josh Smith said. "We were together for about 2 ½ days for the same stuff. [Now] it's being able to fit the right people in the right places. We are missing a couple of guys today so we are having to throw some guys into different spots right now.

Reid and Will Harris split time during the first 15-minute series against GHS.

Neither has nailed down the starting job with preseason practice less than five weeks away.

"We're trying to figure it out," Smith said. "From there, we'll try to make sure we get our footwork down, get our reads right and just take care of the football."

Goldsboro stayed on the field and switched into offensive mode.

Southern Wayne's defenders shouted quick reminders.

"Check Orange!"

"Hey, watch the ends!"

Quarterback Brody Morton, who recently attended a camp at Duke, misfired on occasion. Once he found his mark, the Cougars easily advanced the pigskin the required 40 yards needed to score.

Standing a good distance behind the play, second-year head coach Elvin James told one of his players "don't cut back in, take it up [the field]."

Jamin Jacobs handled a few snaps and fired a couple of deep balls. Each time the underclassman drew praise from James and Morton.

Morton took back over and sent a spiraling laser to the middle of the end zone. The receiver didn't catch the ball.

"I like your choice, but you had one-on-one," an assistant coach said. "I'd take 'Cash' [Darius Rodgers] every day on that play."

Another 15 minutes expired.

Rosewood stepped back onto the turf and faced the Saints' offense.

"Mango! Mango! Mango!"

Southern Wayne signal caller Tayshawn Philips, a multi-sport standout, danced a little bit in the pocket before letting loose a pass.

A few downs later, Philips stepped into a receiver role.

He hauled in a pass and got turned around.

"Where you going?" shouted SW head coach Ronnie McClary Jr.

Philips gathered himself, turned back up field and out-raced an Eagle defender to the end zone.