AHOSKIE – From Carl Brock to Daryl Allen and Richard Murray, through Dealton Cotton and now Greg Watford, Paul Moore has been through them all.

Moore has been an assistant coach at Hertford County High School since he graduated from college at Elizabeth City State University – more than 20 years ago.

&uot;If you can’t play then you want to coach,&uot; Moore said.

Before attending ECSU, Moore played for HCHS and was eager to coach after given the opportunity to come back to Ahoskie.

&uot;It’s home for me and it was good to get the opportunity to come back here and give something back to the community,&uot; Moore said.

Moore is the line coach for the Bears, as well as the Assistant Head Coach that handles the administrative responsibilities, including pre-game meals, travel logistics and gameplanning.

Head coach Greg Watford, who Moore played with at the former Ahoskie High School and ECSU, said that Moore is the perfect coaching role model for anyone.

&uot;It has to start with him being a dear friend to me,&uot; Watford said. &uot;He was the first person I talked with about the opportunity for me to coach here and has been an enormous help for me.

&uot;He’s also an ordained minister and that has been and is a huge asset for our team spiritually,&uot; Watford added.

One of the greatest benefits of coaching for Moore is the chance to see and help students develop into responsible young men.

&uot;We have had a couple players make it to the pro level in my tenure, but its really good to see guys leave here and continue to work in and benefit the community,&uot; Moore said.

But Moore would rather the focus not be on him and rather be on the team; the team that he, Watford and the other coaches at HCHS brought to the eastern state finals last year.

&uot;It’s good to get back to that level, because it’s been a little while since we got that far in the playoffs,&uot; Moore said. &uot;But Coach Watford is a great motivator and after starting out tough it was great to have a positive ending.&uot;

Moore noted that the team has been on a steady climb going back to the Cotton regime a few years ago and that they’re just trying to keep up the winning tradition that was set in place at Hertford County many years ago.

&uot;I’m used to winning, especially from my high school days, and its just good to get the school back to its winning tradition,&uot; Moore said. &uot;We just have to keep it going.&uot;

Moore’s greatest challenge this year will be adapting a young offensive line in to the varsity system set in place at HCHS.

After losing most of their starters last year, the Bears will be relying on a young but talented offensive line to set the stage for the skill players.

&uot;Getting the line to do their job is going to be a key component for our team this year,&uot; Moore noted. &uot;The skill people are here, so it will depend on how quick the line learns.&uot;

But with Moore leading the way, the line, and their learning process, will be just fine, as it has been for more than 20 years with the coach at the helm.