Friday night, the Warriors became believers with a 17-16 victory over previously undefeated Millbrook.

East Wake had opened its season with back-to-back losses -- 30-0 to 2008 NCHSAA 4-AA finalist Fayetteville Britt and 19-0 to Wake Forest-Rolesville's strong squad.

From afar, the facts were two games, two losses, shut out twice.

But Williams saw plenty of positive things, especially on defense.

East Wake trailed Britt 7-0 at halftime before two Warriors turnovers led to Britt scores. East Wake and WF-R were tied 0-0 after three quarters.

"We played two of the best teams around and were competitive," Williams said. "When Britt scored 70 points [69-19 over Hoke County] the week after it played us, I figured we were not bad. Then we played Wake Forest tough, and I knew we were not bad. We just had to score some."

Against Millbrook, Travian Banks' diving 25-yard catch in the end zone of a Chris Pernell pass with 27.9 seconds left tied the score at 16-16. Lucas Rice kicked the winning extra point.

"We're excited," Williams said. "We've been down the last couple of years [finishing 3-7 and 2-9 after averaging nine wins the previous three seasons], but we have a pretty good football team this year.

"We're playing an incredibly difficult nonconference schedule, but that could help us in the long run."

East Wake's opposition certainly has credentials.

Britt is a statewide power. Wake Forest-Rolesville is No. 3 in the N&O rankings, and Millbrook was No. 6 before losing to East Wake. Next up is No. 5 Leesville Road on Friday.

The Warriors open their Greater Neuse River Conference schedule the next week against No. 2 Harnett Central and play at top-ranked Southeast Raleigh on Oct. 9.

"If we can survive our non-conference schedule and come out in pretty good shape, I think playing these people will help us in league games," Williams said. "Playing good people should make you better."

The Warriors' defense is led by outside linebacker Khari Jenkins (14 tackles against Wake Forest-Rolesville and 11 against Millbrook) and inside linebacker Dominique Kelly.

Williams said he believes the offense will continue to improve.

"We changed the offense this year and have gone to a three-back look," Williams said. "We've got two young quarterbacks, who are still learning the offense. Once they get it, I think we're going to be all right on offense."