The Warriors continued this season’s trend of failing to hold onto second-half leads on Friday night as they were defeated by Valdosta in the opening round of the playoffs, 21-17.  

Leading 10-0 at halftime, Valdosta took the lead with two quick scores, neither of them coming on offense. Wildcat returner Jayce Rogers returned a punt 69 yards to the house and linebacker Jeremiah Williams took an interception back to give Valdosta a four-point swing.

Blatant block-in-the-backs were inexplicably missed by the officials on both returns.

On the verge of falling behind 21-10, the Warrior defense stood tall, holding Valdosta four consecutive times from the one-yard line in the fourth quarter, stuffing running back Deangelo Williams and quarterback Seth Shuman on fourth down. The Warrior offense drove 99 yards on the succeeding drive, capped by junior QB Will Lovett’s one-yard keeper diving over a defender, reclaiming the lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, NC appeared to win the game as Shuman intentionally grounded the ball as sophomore linebacker wrapped him up in the end zone. Everyone on the NC sideline put their hands together over their head, signaling a safety. But the referees kept their hands by their sides, and the drive continued, allowing the Wildcats to drive 93 yards for the game-winning touchdown, crushing the Warrior faithful.

NC started fast, as Lovett connected with junior receiver Drew Tejchman for an 18-yard touchdown on the Warriors’ first drive. NC added a field-goal and the defense pitched a first-half shutout for the second consecutive week to give the Warriors the lead at halftime.

NC finished 5-6, exiting in the first round for the second consecutive year and its first losing season since 2011. The Warriors lost five of those six by a combined 12 points throughout the entire season.