Cougars tie Hornets

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 5, 2008 1:12 PM

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It was a game that nobody deserved to lose.

In the end, nobody did.

Goldsboro High battled perennial Class 4-A power Durham Hillside to a 14-14 tie at the Cougar Stadium on Thursday evening. Once the 48-minute, hard-nosed contest ended, the teams' respective head coaches met at midfield and agreed to the draw.

"I am so proud of my kids for the way we played tonight. I don't even know where to start," said Goldsboro head coach Eric Reid after the final handshakes. "Coach Ray Harrison and I decided that it was a good game for both teams and we didn't need to play an overtime period."

But it was an inauspicious start for the Cougars.

Hillside all-purpose back Desmond Scott received the game's opening kickoff, followed a wedge of blockers in the middle of the field and racaed 84 yards to the end zone. The Hornets led 6-0 just 14 seconds into the game.

"It was hard to keep the guys excited after that play," said Reid. "But to their credit they didn't give in, they kept fighting."

After the Hornets added a late first-quarter touchdown, Goldsboro's offense got on track.

Sophomore running back Andre Montgomery took over the role of workhorse and capped the Cougars' fourth possession of the game with an 18-yard touchdown scamper. New place-kicker D'Rahjae White successfully added the PAT to make it 12-7.

The Cougars (2-0-1 overall) struck again 54 seconds later. Quarterback Tyrelle Jackson hit Tyquan Sprangle with a 42-yard scoring pass. White's second PAT extended Goldsboro's advantage to 14-12.

Hillside's defense recorded a second-quarter safety for the 14-14 deadlock.

"Hillside is a very good football team, and for us to compete with them says a lot about these young men," said Ried. "We have built a nice friendship with (Hillside) through football, and it has been positive for both teams."

The second-year head coach was especially quick to praise his defense, especially its ability to create turnovers and slow down the vaunted Hornet arial attack.

"I thought the defense played very well ... very disciplined," said Reid. "We tell the guys every day in practice the team with the most turnovers is usually going to lose, and tonight we won that battle."

The Cougars also reigned supreme in the penalty department, where they committed only eight infractions for 60 yards. Hillside was flagged 15 times for 120 yards.

Goldsboro visits cross-town rival Charles B. Aycock on Sept. 12.

"I think this game will certainly help prepare us as we move forward," said Reid. "In my book this game is as good as a win."