Prep Football: Langston Hughes up next for East Coweta
By DOUG GORMANdgorman@newnan.com
Just minutes after East Coweta head coach Clint Wade was walking off the field after his team’s 44-15 homecoming victory over Tri-Cities, word began getting to his team about what had just happened down the road.
Upstart Langston Hughes had just beaten rival Newnan.
With its second region win in a row, East Coweta (3-4) has gone from a squad wondering if it was even going to make the playoffs, to sitting on top of the region standings.
Right now, it’s a little crowded at the top with Langston Hughes and East Coweta both undefeated with 2-0 record.
That all changes next Friday night when the Indians travel to Fairburn to face Langston Hughes for a game that will push one team into sole possession of first place.
“This changes things in the region,” Wade said. “This was huge. I am so proud of our kids.”
East Coweta went through its share of growing pains in the first half of the season.
After knocking off Henry County to open the 2012 season, East Coweta fell to Archer (27-6), Sandy Creek (31-7), Lovejoy (30-7) and Central-Phenix City, Ala. (33-31).
Archer, Sandy Creek and Lovejoy have a combined 20-3 record and appear headed to the playoffs.
Wide receiver Markell Boston, who had two big catches, including one for a touchdown, says the tough schedule early, has made East Coweta better.
“We have grown from playing in those games,” he said. “Now, we are just a better football team.
In its two region victories over Westlake and Tri-Cities, the Indians have outscored their opponents 68-22.
Defensively, East Coweta forced three turnovers against the Bulldogs Friday night. Dee Godfrey and Tyler Brown each came up with interceptions and Quan Whatley had a fumble recovery to help kill drives for the Bulldogs.
Offensively, the Indians are clicking on all cylinders. Against Tri-Cities, East Coweta set the tone Friday night on the first play from scrimmage as Bryce Gemmel hit Boston on a 43-yard pass.
Running backs Dee Godfrey and Weylin Orr have kept the offense going the last few weeks with big gains out of the backfield. Godfrey rushed for 17 yards on his first carry off the contest. Orr and Godfrey both scored rushing touchdowns.
With each victory, Gemmel says the team’s confidence level is growing.
“We have put in hard work, and you can see it finally paying off,” he said.
Friday night’s contest with Langston Hughes should be a perfect measuring stick for just how far the Indians have come.
The Panthers have only played football since 2009, but this year they are fielding their first senior class.
With a group of veterans, Langston Hughes no longer flies under the radar. The Panthers are 6-1 overall with a region win against Douglas County to go along its region victory against Newnan.
With games against region celler dwellers Tri-Cities and Westlake to follow the game with East Coweta, Langston Hughes controls its own destiny.
After the showdown against the Panthers, the Indians play Douglas County, and close the contest out against county and region foe Newnan.
