Wed. Nov 6th, 2024

COLUMN: Five area teams compete at Muddy Waters; Spartans impress

4 min read

SMITHFIELD — Smithfield-Selma hosted 16 varsity football teams for the inaugural Muddy Water Classic on Wednesday. 16 teams from 1-A to 4-A and from Greensboro to Kinston all ventures to Smithfield for some warmup football.

The event was sponsored by Zaxby’s and was a job well done for head coach Mike Parrish, athletic director Matt Cuddington and the rest of the SSS athletic staff. If the event continues as it did, I think it can be one of the biggest and best jamborees in the state.

Now to the on field stuff.

Smithfield-Selma

Of the five area teams in the MWC, the Spartans impressed me the most. They won all three of their scrimmages and looked good doing it. The option offense worked well, and the defense was swarming and laying wood.

Parrish wanted to play 4-A Fuquay Varina last as a measuring stick and the Spartans thoroughly outplayed them while scoring two touchdowns and allowing none. While I was walking off the field he quipped, “Maybe we got something here.”

The energy and culture around the program is much different. Parrish has done his best to eliminate the bad eggs and keep the high character kids in the program. The Spartans are 7-92 since the 2010 season, but the program is now trending in the right direction.

Some things that concerned me were a couple of blown assignments and lack of discipline penalties like a hit after the whistle against Southern Wayne. I believe some of that will be cleaned up as the season goes on. Even when you have high character kids with talent, learning how to win and not making mistakes is a key component to building a winning program. Another concern, the numbers. SSS is carrying about 25 on varsity and junior varsity. In a tough conference like the 3-A Greater Neuse River, numbers matter because you have to have enough players to withstand the physicality of the conference. Smithfield-Selma could opt to fold their JV team and have 50 players as well to fix this problem.

North Johnston

I left the event encouraged by the Panthers. Offensive Coordinator Jeremiah Holland’s Veer looked good, especially when senior Camden Aycock was running it. Aycock made some good decisions on handoffs and some good throws as well. 

Aycock’s Tony Romo-like play style will make the Panthers a fun team to watch on offense. I believe Aycock can play some football at the next level, maybe not at quarterback due to his size, but I think there’s a spot for him somewhere on the field (my guess would be as a slot receiver). He’s a football player for sure.

Another guy who caught my eye was Rakuan Rodrigues. He just looks like a running back at six-feet and 200 pounds, and he has no problem running behind his pads. I expect him and center Ethan Durham to become best buds, because Durham is quite a site at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds.

The defense though will need to improve as the Panthers had multiple missed tackles against Goldsboro that they can not afford. The defensive backs did do a good job of not getting beat deep. The Panthers allowed no huge plays, but will need to wrap up better to continue avoiding the big play.

Goldsboro

It wasn’t the greatest showing for the Cougars who were clearly affected by the 100-degree heat index, but they still had some good moments. The defense forced a couple North Johnston turnovers and did a job wrapping up and gang tackling. 

The offense looked good piloted by Deontay Hooker. The sophomore QB was able to stand in the pocket and make throws under pressure. Hooker also played well when it was time to improvise. Running back Isiah Gray made an impact in the run game and was able to score a touchdown. 

The Cougars should have a really good season, but they must be more prepared for the elements and show mental toughness in a 2-A East Central with multiple physical football teams that have the ability to break you with their physicality.

Southern Wayne

The Saints aren’t the same 1-10 football team. Southern Wayne looks ready to have some ultra competitive games against a super competitive schedule. 

The defense forced two turnovers against SSS, but allowed two big plays that set up touchdowns. After that, they settled in and really competed. 

The offense did pretty good, scoring one touchdown. QB DeMoregea Coley was on the run for most of the day, but he did a good job of creating plays outside of the pocket. 

In a tough conference and loaded non-conference schedule, it will be hard for the Saints to have a winning season. But the Saints will be in a lot of close games.

Spring Creek

The Gators showed encouraging signs. They made some good plays on offense. It was a tough game for the defense though against North Lenoir’s newly formed Wing-T. With the Gators being independent and playing an easier schedule, I think they can grab a few wins this season based on what I saw. 

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August 2019
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