THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508250258
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 58 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: EDENTON LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
With a 48-0 win over Columbia in the first week of the high school football season, Edenton-Holmes showed something it lacked last year - a sense of maturity.
The Aces beat Columbia 49-0 last year, but it was a last-second loss to Northeastern that head coach Jay Swicegood points out as Edenton's turning point.
``The close game we had with Northeastern last year was the turning point. It was a negative,'' Swicegood said. ``We had to dismiss two players after the game and (quarterback) Garfield Gilliam broke his ankle that night. There was confusion as to who was going to be our leader.''
The team went down hill after that, finishing 6-5, but just 2-3 in the conference.
Swicegood felt like the maturity of the Aces showed in last week's win over Columbia.
``It was very obvious they were focused on what they were supposed to do,'' he said. ``I didn't expect to execute that well on offense and defense. They held Columbia to just one yard of offense in the first half.''
One of the more focused was Mitchell Stanley, who rushed for 131 yards on just eight carries and had three touchdowns. He opened the game with touchdown runs of 20 and 25 yards in the first quarter and 59 yards in the third quarter. Shelton White had some key blocks to spring Stanley.
Even with the convincing win, the Aces concentrated on some specific items in practice this week - the passing game and defending the pass.
Edenton threw just three times against the Wildcats.
``We didn't throw because we didn't want to run up the score,'' Swicegood said. ``We were up 35-0 at halftime.''
Although the Wildcats were just 3-for-11 passing, Swicegood said his pass defense needs work.
``Columbia threw the ball better than we thought they would,'' Swicegood said. ``We are working on the secondary this week. Their receivers were open much longer than we wanted them to be.''
Swicegood has already seen the hard work that his more disciplined squad has put it.
``The kids have worked hard. They're ready to play again after three days of practice,'' he said. ``We played with a lot of confidence against Columbia. But they know the competition will get tougher from week to week.'' by CNB