Post by oleschoolaggie on Aug 21, 2012 14:45:11 GMT -5
well, my high school team is off to another fast start! sorry hillside, we had to take it out on you. but we still haven't forgotten that "heartbreaking" loss to ya'll in the 2010 playoffs... ;D
New Bern dominates Hillside, 40-20
Sweeps home-and-home series
varsity.newbernsj.com/articles/new-3154-hillside-bern.html
August 18, 2012 4:04 AM
Adam Thompson
Sun Journal
Since their heartbreaking loss to Durham Hillside in the 2010 4A Eastern Regional Finals, the New Bern Bears have held a grudge.
They had a score to settle with the Hornets.
Josh Taylor passed for two touchdowns to lead New Bern to a 40-20 victory over Hillside in Friday’s season-opener at Caruso-Coates Stadium.
The Bears, who swept the home-and-home series against the Hornets, built a sizeable halftime lead and never looked back.
“This is a good way to start off the year,” New Bern coach Bobby Curlings said. “You always want a ‘W.’ We looked sharp at times and we looked pretty bad at times.
“(Hillside) has a pretty good team over there. They have some D-I athletes over there, and athletes that can fly.”
In a sloppy contest, the game featured 23 penalties and seven fumbles (only three lost).
New Bern’s defensive back Zahair Cherry set the tone with his 57-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Bears continued to outscore Hillside 19-7 in the second quarter.
“(Zahair) helped get us on the board and break the drought and it got us going,” Curlings said.
Running back DeAndre Ballard (9-44) gave New Bern a two-score lead with a 15-yard touchdown run.
Hillside’s Dante Smith-Williams answered with a 95-yard kickoff return. Bra’Lon Cherry then grabbed a 23-yard touchdown pass from Taylor and C.J. Powell ran the ball in from 10 yards to bump New Bern’s advantage to 26-7 at halftime.
“We did some good things on special teams, and we had some special teams break downs,” Curlings said. “We have to do a better job of coaching that stuff up.”
Jachin Watkins scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and LeAndre Grimes snagged a 23-yard pass from Taylor.
Hornets’ standout running back Khris Francis, who ran for a game-high 108 yards, ran for a pair of touchdowns.
Taylor passed for 176 yards, and the Bears ran for 144 yards. Watkins added 70 yards on 10 carries for the Bears.
New Bern’s defense limited an explosive Hornets’ offense to 244 yards. The Bears recovered a fumble and Zahair Cherry finished the victory with an interception.
“They played lights out,” Curlings said. “Defense only really gave up one touchdown to a very talented team. I was very pleased with their effort.”
New Bern will travel to Craven County rival Havelock on Friday. The Rams beat J.H. Rose 48-14 on Friday.
The Bears lost to Havelock, 51-28, last season.
“We are going to celebrate this one for just a little bit, then we will start to go to work on (Havelock),” Curlings said. “It’s a big game in the county. They are a very talented team. It should be another playoff-type atmosphere next week at Havelock.”
New Bern dominates Hillside, 40-20
Sweeps home-and-home series
varsity.newbernsj.com/articles/new-3154-hillside-bern.html
August 18, 2012 4:04 AM
Adam Thompson
Sun Journal
Since their heartbreaking loss to Durham Hillside in the 2010 4A Eastern Regional Finals, the New Bern Bears have held a grudge.
They had a score to settle with the Hornets.
Josh Taylor passed for two touchdowns to lead New Bern to a 40-20 victory over Hillside in Friday’s season-opener at Caruso-Coates Stadium.
The Bears, who swept the home-and-home series against the Hornets, built a sizeable halftime lead and never looked back.
“This is a good way to start off the year,” New Bern coach Bobby Curlings said. “You always want a ‘W.’ We looked sharp at times and we looked pretty bad at times.
“(Hillside) has a pretty good team over there. They have some D-I athletes over there, and athletes that can fly.”
In a sloppy contest, the game featured 23 penalties and seven fumbles (only three lost).
New Bern’s defensive back Zahair Cherry set the tone with his 57-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Bears continued to outscore Hillside 19-7 in the second quarter.
“(Zahair) helped get us on the board and break the drought and it got us going,” Curlings said.
Running back DeAndre Ballard (9-44) gave New Bern a two-score lead with a 15-yard touchdown run.
Hillside’s Dante Smith-Williams answered with a 95-yard kickoff return. Bra’Lon Cherry then grabbed a 23-yard touchdown pass from Taylor and C.J. Powell ran the ball in from 10 yards to bump New Bern’s advantage to 26-7 at halftime.
“We did some good things on special teams, and we had some special teams break downs,” Curlings said. “We have to do a better job of coaching that stuff up.”
Jachin Watkins scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and LeAndre Grimes snagged a 23-yard pass from Taylor.
Hornets’ standout running back Khris Francis, who ran for a game-high 108 yards, ran for a pair of touchdowns.
Taylor passed for 176 yards, and the Bears ran for 144 yards. Watkins added 70 yards on 10 carries for the Bears.
New Bern’s defense limited an explosive Hornets’ offense to 244 yards. The Bears recovered a fumble and Zahair Cherry finished the victory with an interception.
“They played lights out,” Curlings said. “Defense only really gave up one touchdown to a very talented team. I was very pleased with their effort.”
New Bern will travel to Craven County rival Havelock on Friday. The Rams beat J.H. Rose 48-14 on Friday.
The Bears lost to Havelock, 51-28, last season.
“We are going to celebrate this one for just a little bit, then we will start to go to work on (Havelock),” Curlings said. “It’s a big game in the county. They are a very talented team. It should be another playoff-type atmosphere next week at Havelock.”
My Hornets will bounce back this week when we take out E.E. Smith
