Eagles Fly High Into District Play
It’s been a tremendous start to the season for the Como-Pickton Eagles, a team who is having their best season of the 2020’s before district play even begins. After three consecutive seasons of going 1-9, the Eagles have surpassed that win total through the first five weeks of the season and even matched their longest winning streak since the 2019 season.
Como-Pickton opened their season with a trip to Union Grove where they fell short 28-12, but they didn’t let that deter them. Since then, they’ve answered back with four consecutive wins and have completely dominated their opponents while doing so.
In their four-game winning streak they have defeated Big Sandy, Cumby, Trenton and Alba-Golden, doing so by a combined score of 156-54. Not only did they win those games by an average score of 39-13, but only one of those wins was by less than 20 points.
“Junior Quincy Goodwin has been the catalyst for us,” Coach Jeremy Griffin said. “Through four games he has over 650 yards rushing. We’ve been able to get Quincy in the open as quarterback, running back, slot receiver, where ever we can put him. Teams have to game plan for him or he will easily take over a game on offense.”
Goodwin has not only been incredibly efficient, rushing for over 11 yards per carry, but has also found the end zone 11 times, having a fantastic start to the season.
“Seniors Kayson Self and Baelin Gillis have also been big for us in the running game,” Griffin said. “They don’t have the numbers like Goodwin, but when other teams look to stop him, these guys will have some big games.”
And that’s exactly what the pair of senior’s have done for the Eagles. Self is the second-leading rusher for the Eagles, with Gillis right behind him, both with strong numbers in their own right. Through the first four games, Self picked up 160 yards on 23 carries and found the end zone twice, while Gillis was right behind him with 144 yards on 27 touches and one rushing touchdown.
Coach Griffin also credited the Eagles’ offensive line for the huge role they’ve played in the run game. “Our entire offensive line has been getting better every week,” he said. “Led by junior Jeremy Flowers, a 6’2, 270-pound tackle that can move the Earth. Seniors Jorge Garcia and Ethan Brooks, as well as juniors Bryan Garcia and David Palacios have all been great for us all year and creating big holes for the running backs. Senior Sebastian Palacios has also had a big hand in the offensive line play as well.”
Their strong offensive play hasn’t been the only reason for the Eagles success this season, however, as they have been every bit as strong on defense as well. “Defensively we are better as a whole,” Griffin said.
“Coach Chris Castle has done a great job in teaching them technique and put together some great game plans. We are tackling better and causing turnovers. In 10 games last year we created 10 total turnovers. This year we are already at 11.”
“We are swarming to the football and doing what we are coached to do,” Griffin continued. “The great thing is we haven’t peaked yet. We are still finding ways we can be better and we are inching closer to peaking at the right time.”
“Juniors Kevin Gomez and Cristian Munoz have both been big factors for us on defense,” Griffin added. “Senior Sean Carpenter and junior Edwin Castillo have been anchors for us and are two ends that are tough to block.”
Como-Pickton begins district play this week on the road against No. 6 ranked Honey Grove, before hosting the Cooper Bulldogs on Friday, October 10.
