Goldsboro climbs to 2-0 in EPC action

By Rob Craig
Published in Sports on October 14, 2007 2:20 AM

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There is no bigger compliment for an offensive line than to see a running back pile up yardage.

Anthony Council certainly left his blockers smiling. The heralded senior running back bruised the Greene Central defense for a season-high 305 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-28 victory at Cougar Stadium.

The resounding upset left Goldsboro (5-3 overall) tied with Farmville Central atop the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference standings. The Rams, the preseason pick to emerge the EPC king, exited 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the league.

But Council held court on homecoming night. The offensive line -- Darius Hill, Antwon Greenfield, Derrick Smith, Donald Pollock and Carlos Artis -- opened large holes on nearly every play and allowed the running back to roam free for a 12-yard average per tote.

"The kid is a tremendous running back," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid. "Tonight just showed what he's capable of."

Council's backfield mate Hykeem Coley eclipsed the 100-yard mark and added a touchdown. Overall, Goldsboro rushed for 442 yards.

"They're a good football team," said Greene Central head coach Jim Bob Bryant. "We knew coming in they had some good running backs. Anthony Council is a heck of a back."

The shootout started early and Greene Central struck first.

Curtis Braswell took the opening kickoff 55 yards to set up Aaron Harper's 1-yard touchdown to give the Rams an early 6-0 lead.

Council answered with a 25-yard touchdown run.

A minute later, Braswell gave the Rams the lead again when he caught a swing pass from William Brown and zig-zagged his way for a 54-yard touchdown. Abel Real's ensuing extra point made it 13-6.

Braswell finished the night with seven catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

"Curtis is an electrifying player," said Bryant. "He kept us in the game tonight. I wish I had a couple more (Curtis Braswells) to put on the field."

The second quarter belonged to the Cougars. Touchdowns by Coley and Darren Pittman led to a 20-13 advantage.

Doing all he could to keep Greene Central in the game, Braswell had his second big return of the night. On the ensuing kickoff he raced 58 yards to set up Aaron Harper's 25-yard burst that tied the game at 20-20.

The Cougars then went to the air. Dustin Uzzardo hooked up with Enrique Moses for the first of their two touchdowns on the night -- a 48-yard bomb to create a 26-20 lead at halftime.

"Those guys have been together for so long that the chemistry is there," said Reid. "They are both a tremendous talent."

Goldsboro and Council put the game away in spectacular fashion after a scoreless third quarter.

Backed up at Goldsboro's 7-yard line, Council took a hand off from Uzzardo and bolted around the right side of the line. He raced untouched for a 93-yard touchdown, thinking it wouldn't have been possible without that dominant offensive line.

"I couldn't stop thanking my line," said Council. "I give them all the praise. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be going no where."

On the run, Council eclipsed the 1000-yard mark for the season. The senior now has 1,032 yards rushing this season -- despite missing two games due to injury.

"A lot of people doubted that young man for coming over here and sharing the backfield with Coley," said Reid of Council. "To amass that amount of yards in that short of time is amazing."

A late Uzzardo to Moses touchdown provided the icing on the cake for the Cougars' biggest win of the season.

"It's a tremendous step for this program," said Reid. "I can't even tell you how much respect this bring us in this conference. We've been the doormat and now we can say we can compete."

Greene Central 13 7 0 8 -- 28

Goldsboro 6 20 0 12 -- 38

First quarter

GC -- Harper 1 run (kick blocked), 10:13

G -- Council 25 run (kick failed), 3:25

GC -- Braswell 54 pass from Brown (Real kick), 2:03

Second quarter

G -- Coley 6 run (Council run), 10:10

G -- Pittman 1 run (kick failed), 3:30

GC -- Harper 25 run (Real kick), 3:12

G -- Moses 48 pass from Uzzardo (run failed) 0:45

Fourth quarter

G -- Council 93 run (run failed), 10:38

G -- Moses 34 pass from Uzzardo (kick failed), 2:13

GC -- Braswell 28 pass from Brown (Best pass from Brown), 0:28

GC G

First downs 12 25

Rushes-yds 23-85 56-442

Passing yds 192 82

Total yards 277 524

C-A-I 12-19-1 2-6-1

Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-2

Penalties-yds 8-70 3-20

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Greene Central -- Aaron Harper 8-46, 2 TD; William Brown 14-34; Tyrell Lane 1-5. Goldsboro -- Anthony Council 24-305, 2 TD; Hykeem Coley 22-113, TD; Iveon Sprangle 6-42; Darren Pittman 2-(-4), TD; Dustin Uzzardo 2-(-14).

PASSING -- Greene Central -- William Brown 12-19-1 192, 2 TD. Goldsboro -- Dustin Uzzardo 2-6-1 82, 2 TD.

RECEIVING -- Greene Central -- Curtis Braswell 7-142, 2 TD; Jamar Branch 2-25; Trevan Wade 1-10; Tyrell Lane 1-3, Brooks Best 1-12. Goldsboro -- Enrique Moses 2-82, 2 TD.