North Paulding’s sideline erupted in celebration as the potential game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide left, giving North Paulding the region’s biggest upset thus far, as they defeated the Warriors 33-31.

“I’m proud of the way we fought at the end but we made too many mistakes to win that football game,” Coach Shane Queen said.

Trailing 27-10 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, NC rallied a comeback that fell just short. With just under 12 minutes remaining, junior quarterback Will Lovett hit junior receiver Quannie Green on a five-yard hitch route which Green took the distance, weaving his way through the Wolfpack defense en route to a 34 yard score. Senior linebacker Manny Pelzer recovered North Paulding running back Garrett Hite’s fumble on the succeeding possession, giving the Warriors the ball back trailing by 10. Eight plays later, junior running back Jai Erwin scored on a one-yard plunge to bring NC within three, making the score 24-27.

The Wolfpack answered as receiver DJ Owens took a screen 84 yards to the house just two plays into the ensuing drive to give North Paulding a two-score lead. The Warriors responded with an eight-play drive, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Lovett to junior receiver Drew Tejchman, cutting the Wolfpack lead to two with under four minutes remaining. The defense made a key stop and Lovett drove the Warriors to the 27-yard line to set up the last-second kick.

“It was unfortunate that we couldn’t get the victory at the end but I love my teammates and we’ll continue to fight,” senior offensive-lineman Zach Dudley said.

NC jumped off to a fast start as senior defensive end Scottie Cartledge recovered a first-quarter Kyle Banks fumble in the end zone, giving NC a 10-0 lead. But Wolfpack defensive coordinator Chad Mcgehee, who previously held the same title at NC, held the Warrior offense without a touchdown for three quarters. The NP offense took advantage and reeled off 27 points straight, giving the Wolfpack a 17-point cushion leading up to the wild fourth quarter.

Going into game nine, the Warriors controlled their own destiny as to the location of the first-round playoff game. Now, they control half of it, needing a win over rival Kennesaw Mountain on senior night and a Hillgrove loss at McEachern to clinch second place and host in the first round.