Friday, October 11 marked NC’s celebration of a beloved football tradition: homecoming. With teenagers donning orange clothes and ivory smiles packing out the student section, the game strengthened school spirit before the following day’s dance. 

The NC Warriors varsity football team (7-0), ranked eighth in the state, played against Marietta High School’s Blue Devils (1-7). The Warriors destroyed their opponents with a final score of 38-22, beating Marietta black and blue. 

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With the pressure of winning their own homecoming game built up in their ears, the Warriors charged onto the field. Although the game began uneventfully, senior free safety Dy’lon Womack (3) soon brought the ball to the one-yard line, allowing the Warriors to score the first touchdown of the game. After a successful field goal, the Warriors continued to dominate the first quarter. As the defense herded the Blue Devils away from their goal, senior quarterback Nick Grimstead (15), junior wide receiver Steele Ingram (2), and freshman running back Zach Belyeu (20) worked the offense. They moved the ball toward the end zone, helping Grimstead to score the game’s second touchdown with four minutes left on the clock. The first quarter ended with the Warriors up 14-0.

“We are prepared and we just need to get those reps in to get back to where we were. I feel like the game started off with a slow start but it’s picking back up. I think we’ll take over in the next quarter and the second half,” junior kicker Michael Hill (12) said.

Ingram stood out as a leader in the game’s second quarter. Through accomplishing two of the quarter’s three first-and-tens, he enabled the Warriors to score another three points at its fast-paced end. Entering halftime with a score of 17-7, the Warriors and the stands oozed with excitement and the promise of another week of undefeated glory.

After the players’ confident exit at halftime, the announcer introduced NC to its beloved 2024-2025 homecoming court. The winners’ glittering dresses, eyes and ties matched the black and gold sashes which proclaimed them members of the court. The announcer began with freshmen Isabella Vargo, Devin Ortiz and Marvin Guy, as well as magnet freshman Samara Boston-Hughley each accompanied by a parent or family member, equally gleeful. The court’s sophomore representation included Cara Ramirez, Isabella Morales, Mitch Williamson and Landon Johnson. As the audience eagerly wondered about the year’s homecoming prince and princess, the juniors Aniya Burns, Greg Buranich and Makhi Coleman as well as magnet junior Tumi Adeyinka strutted onto the field. Shortly after, seniors, Cooper Negron, Kayden Williams, Amy Futo, Lyric Porter and Derrica Tucker followed alongside magnet seniors Abiel Martinez, Noah Quarless and Morgan Day. With the court’s smiling members equally spaced and facing the audience, the homecoming royalty received their respective announcements, crowning Buranich and Adeyinka homecoming prince and princess alongside Williams and Futo as king and queen. Juniors Buranich and Adeyinka stood alongside seniors Williams and Futo, hugging, smiling and posing for photos.

“I was really happy and excited that I got to make it that far. It was exciting to pick out a dress, find cute shoes and take pictures with my family, as well as have people come out and support me. I’m going to attempt to run [again next year], but I’m satisfied with the progress I’ve made this year,” junior homecoming court member Aniya Burns said.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Belyeu resumed his offensive success early in the third quarter. With nine minutes left, he scored the quarter’s first touchdown and followed it up with a second with two and a half minutes left. Junior running back Arquevious Echols (34), scored the quarter’s third touchdown, ending the quarter with NC still in the lead with a 35-20 score.

As cheers erupted from the crowd, the fourth quarter began. With NC on defense, the Warriors fearlessly protected their lead, both while playing and disparaging their opponents. The game ended with an autumn chill in the air and joy in the NC student section as the Warriors won 38-22.

“The homecoming game was super fun and entertaining. I loved watching the game and it’s better because our team is so good. The players were great and fought for every point and I’m so glad we won. The team winning the game will only make homecoming more fun. I’m going to homecoming and looking forward to taking photos with my friends and dancing to good music. With this being my last year, I hope it’s the best,” NC senior Gabby Larson said.

Looking forward, NC will defend its undefeated title against the Cherokee High School Warriors (4-4) in a Warrior v. Warrior match to remember. With the end of the season creeping up, NC eagerly watches its varsity team, hoping for a statewide win.