In a game featuring a whopping six first-half turnovers, NC varsity football used a quick 14-0 start to pave way to a 34-28 victory over the Lassiter Trojans last Friday night, August 14.

“We played well, we need to maintain that high intensity level throughout the whole game, and continue to play smart,” senior center Zach Dudley said. “But I’m very proud of the team and the way we fought and how we were able to come out with the [win].”

Following interceptions on the previous two drives, the Lassiter offense turned the ball over for a third consecutive time as they fumbled on the first play of the next series. However, the Warriors returned the favor as junior quarterback Will Lovett threw his first of two picks of the night. Lassiter took advantage and marched down the field to put themselves on the scoreboard and climb to within seven.

After another Lovett interception, NC halted the potential game tying drive in the second quarter as junior linebacker Chandler Wooten intercepted Lassiter quarterback Cooper Cross for a third time. Lovett responded with a 38-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Quannie Green to extend the Warriors’ lead to 21. A ten-yard Trojan touchdown, answered by an 11-yard touchdown from Lovett to junior safety Drew Tejchman, halted the halftime score in favor of the Warriors, 28-14.
After trading defensive stands during the game’s initial minutes, junior linebacker Jamaal Kuku intercepted Cross to give the Warriors a short field and set up junior running back CJ Cole’s one-yard touchdown run. On Lassiter’s succeeding drive, Cross threw his second interception to Tejchman, which lead to a six-yard touchdown pass from Will Lovett to junior receiver Alon Johnson.

Lovett’s night ended at halftime as he finished with 110 yards and three touchdowns.

“It was good to get the nerves out and see how fast the game is,” Lovett said. “Now it’s time to go out and make some plays and make a run at state.”

The second half consisted of backups and JV players mixed in with some of the starters, and highlighted by a 62 yard fourth quarter touchdown run courtesy of sophomore running back Chandler Webber.

NC’s first regular season matchup comes against the defending AAAAA state champion Northside Warner-Robins Eagles on August 21. The Warriors will look for revenge as they fell to Northside last year, 40-22.