After last week’s tough loss to Southern Wayne, Goldsboro is ready to turn the page against Rocky Mount on Friday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
COVID-19 has affected many football programs across the state this season, and Goldsboro (1-2 overall) is no different. And Goldsboro head coach Timothy Ray said his team has to be mentally strong and trust each other to overcome a season unlike any other.
“Southern Wayne is a good team. They have a scheme that fits them, and if they maximize what they got, then they’ll be pretty good this season,” Goldsboro head coach Timothy Ray said. “Mental toughness, emotional toughness, and of course physical toughness. It’s an adverse season for everyone, and we’ve run into different situations.
“We just have to be a family and stay together.”
Like Goldsboro, Rocky Mount also has a 1-2 overall record, but the Gryphons’ record is misleading.
Rocky Mount is a perineal 3A powerhouse, and Ray said he likes to go up against teams like Rocky Mount because it acts as a measuring stick for Goldsboro.
Big non-conference games will also help the Cougars prepare for conference play, which starts in two weeks.
“Rocky Mount is much better than what their record says. They’re always a tough team and always a contender,” Ray said. “They’re traditionally strong, and those are the type of programs we like to play against and compete against.
“We want to play great teams because it builds our tradition.”
Offensively, Ray said Goldsboro must be able to move the ball and keep the chains moving, while defensively, the Cougars must avoid giving up big plays and make sure to wrap up when they tackle.
“If we make solid tackles and move the chains a lot, I feel like we’ll be in really good shape,” Ray said.
