Prep football notebook

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 24, 2011 2:00 PM

• Print
• Email

Eastern Wayne's coaching staff is asking the "what if" question since its mid-October run against Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference opposition.

The Warriors stunned Southern Wayne on a last-second field goal three weeks ago and followed that up with a victory at county rival Charles B. Aycock two weeks ago.

Their modest win streak ended with a 22-0 loss to Triton.

The recent performances have left the staff scratching its collective head.

"You wonder what it would be like had we been playing this way at the beginning of the season," said Williams.

Playoffs in jeopardy

Southern Wayne snapped its four-game skid with a victory over North Lenoir, but it might not have strengthened its postseason chances.

The Saints (5-4 overall) have just one victory in five ECC outings this season and face a must-win situation in their regular-season finale at C.B. Aycock.

Then again, six wins might not be enough.

A loss to Eastern Wayne three weeks ago did more damage than expected. Playoff berths are based on conference finish and if the Saints tie for fourth, the Warriors hold the tiebreaker.

"We told the guys before the game that if we won tonight and we win next week that we still have a chance," Southern Wayne head coach David Lee said. "We played well enough to get a 'W' tonight. Now we have to do the same thing against C.B. Aycock."

Cage those Eagles

A week after surrendering 379 yards of offense and 40 points in a loss to Ayden-Grifton, North Duplin responded with a solid defensive effort against Rosewood. The Rebels intercepted three passes, recovered a fumble and held the Eagles to 171 yards.

Rosewood had just three plays that went for more than 10 yards.

"We haven't forced too many turnovers it was nice to get some," North Duplin head coach Hugh Martin said. "We started to recognize some of their patterns a little bit and dropping the way we were supposed to. That was great."