Friday, September 13, the NC Warrior varsity football team (5-0) faced the North Paulding high school Wolves (3-1) in their first regional game of the season, defeating them with a score of 42-18. NC’s student section, filled with energy and support, promoted the Rally Club’s theme: Gold Out. Winning their fifth home game of the season, and sixth overall, the Warriors continue to excite students and the community alike with their impressive game statistics and consecutive wins.
“We definitely turned [the energy] up during practice because we knew this was the first regional game. We wanted to one-up in general knowing our goals. I think we prepared really good, we had great practices all throughout the season so far, and especially coming into this game, so I think we’ll come out winning,” junior kicker Michael Hill (12) said.
Joined by gray clouds and misty rain, the Warriors started the game off with flying colors. Senior quarterback Nick Grimstead (15) scored a touchdown within two minutes of the first kickoff, the first of several scores throughout the game. Grimstead achieved a 43-yard touchdown pass to junior Wide Receiver Steele Ingram (2) in the second quarter, pushing the Warriors ahead of the Wolves. Grimstead and Ingram interacted once again with a 9-yard touchdown pass following shortly after, still during the second quarter.
Although the Wolves pulled impressive passes, the Warriors persevered with a fumble recovery. The second quarter ended with a score of 28-12, the Warriors in the lead. After a spectacular halftime show featuring the NC marching band — and their eighth-grade companions from neighboring Awtrey Middle School, Palmer Middle School and Barber Middle School — the Warriors focused on beating the Wolves by a landslide.
Junior defensive end Arquevious Echols (34) made a 55-yard run and a sequential 1-yard touchdown run to start the Warriors’ fourth-quarter scoring streak. Additionally, the Warriors made an interception return for a touchdown. The Warriors ended the fourth quarter with cheers and a final score of 42-18.
“[This game] was higher because of urgency. We are trying to get as many reps as possible, so we’re familiar with our opponent. I’d say we prepared pretty similarly to previous weeks, and I don’t look at [this game] as ‘my win.’ I need everyone as much as everyone needs me. My favorite moment [from the game] is when [freshman wide receiver] Azziz Helm (23) caught a pick-six because when the young guy made it, there was energy from the stadium that came from it,” Grimstead said.
While the Warriors expanded their impressive resume, students and family members alike wore gold ribbons and shirts to raise awareness of finding treatments for childhood cancer. The student section’s paint squad spelled out “4 the kids” as the cheerleaders and faculty wore Rally shirts, encouraging people to “donate and advocate”.
Support from various NC clubs and the raging student section keeps the energy up at each game, supporting numerous causes and local businesses. The Warriors hope to continue their vicious winning streak at the September 20 game against the Walton High School Raiders, a AAAAAA Region 5 challenge.
