Goldsboro halts two-game skid

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 8, 2013 12:00 AM

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Dressed in his Superman undershirt and gloves Rasheid Malette single-handedly made sure Goldsboro ended its two-game losing streak Friday evening.

Malette rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars' 42-14 victory over Southern Wayne and avoided their first-ever 0-3 start with head coach Eric Reid.

"I'm proud of our kids for continuing to work hard and putting forth the effort necessary to come out with a win tonight," Reid said. "I know some of our fans were a little disappointed with the way we started the season. It's good to get a win at home and get some confidence back."

Malette raced 63 yards to the end zone on the Cougars' first possession to give Goldsboro a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Malette finished the first quarter with 104 yards on seven carries.

Malette found the end zone from 19 yards out early in the second quarter as the Cougars' lead grew to 13-0.

"We're not used to being 0-2," Malette said. "I wanted win so bad tonight. We went hard in practice this week to make sure we didn't lose a third straight game. My offensive line did a great job tonight and I'm proud of those guys.

"They've really improved since the start of the season."

Southern Wayne (1-2) answered with a commanding 15-play, 72-yard drive. The Saints repeatedly found running room in the interior of the Goldsboro defensive line, and converted a pair of fourth downs

Marquis Baldwin's 7-yard touchdown run capped the drive and closed the score to 13-7.

The Saints had three first-half drives stall inside Cougars' territory in the opening half, and finished 1-for-7 on third-down plays. Quarterback Jacob Hollingsworth threw two interceptions.

Southern Wayne also lost a pair of second-half fumbles.

"We had some opportunities," Southern Wayne head coach David Lee said. "We moved the ball at times. The wing-T is not predicated on taking tackles for a loss. When you're in second-and-long and third-and-long, it's tough and we're not a passing team.

"We're not built for third-and-long situations."

Goldsboro (1-2) came out throwing in the third quarter and Nashir Bowden hooked up with Taylin Davis on a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Following a bad snap on a punt, the Saints took over at the Goldsboro 28-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Tyaire Allen's 10-yard touchdown run pulled Southern Wayne to within 28-14.

Bowden put Southern Wayne away with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Baker with a little more than three minutes to play. Joshua Wootson added a 35-yard fumble return for a score moments later.

The Cougars entertain Charles B. Aycock next week while the Saints play host to North Lenoir.