At halftime, Daishi Goto was told, once he saw green to just go. Don't worry about cutting and making moves, his coach said. Just go out there and try to score a touchdown.
The advice worked.
The senior running back for Cherry Hill East put on a show Saturday, breaking for two long runs, displaying his speed. And when he didn't have a large hole to run through, he made Paul VI work hard to tackle him, still moving his feet when he was stopped seemingly in his tracks.
The extra effort helped the Cougars upset the Eagles, ranked ninth in South Jersey by The Inquirer, 39-21, in a West Jersey Football League interdivision game.
"They scored a touchdown, and our momentum was going down," Goto said.
"I knew someone had to step it up, and I got my opportunity."
Goto also displayed his speed on defense, getting to the backfield quickly and stopping the Eagles' run game before it could get started. He carried the ball 27 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns.
In winning their third straight game, the Cougars (3-3) relentlessly attacked Paul VI on defense, intercepting three passes and forcing four punts. Paul VI quarterback Alec Vignola was constantly under pressure, and the Eagles (4-1) never really got their running game going.
Eagles wide receivers also were plagued by drops, on some plays that might have gone for touchdowns.
"Coming out 0-3 and then winning three is huge," said East senior Nick DiVito, who had an interception. "Nobody thought we were good."
"Our confidence is very high now," Goto added.
With their winning streak, the Cougars are looking toward a possible playoff berth. They will face Washington Township on the road next weekend before their bye week. Then they will go to Cherokee.
"We are on the road for the next two, so we have a big task ahead of us, but I think these guys have been up to every challenge this season," coach Tom Coen said.
"If people keep underestimating us, great," DiVito said. "Let them keep underestimating us."
Paul VI 0 0 14 7 – 21
Cherry Hill East 6 6 20 7 – 39
CHE: Andrew Brown 31 pass from Brandon Stern (kick blocked)
CHE: Daishi Goto 1 run (kick failed)
CHE: Goto 50 run (Nick DiVito kick)
CHE: Stern 58 run (kick failed)
PVI: Faheem Boyd 11 run (Gavin Sentak kick)
PVI: Vaughn White 23 pass from Alec Vignola (Sentak kick)
CHE: Goto 80 run (DiVito kick)
PVI: Boyd 1 run (Sentak kick)
CHE: Brandon Bryant 44 pass from Stern (DiVito kick)
Contact Kate Harman at rallysports@phillynews.com.
