The Warrior football team won its final regular season home game of 2016, holding on to defeat the Marietta Blue Devils 31-16.

The Blue Devils defense played well enough during the first half to hold the Warriors to a 14-3 lead at halftime. After missing a few open plays and dropping a screen pass on the first drive, the Warrior offense quickly appeared rattled and seemed to lose its composure for much of the first quarter. The defense, however, shut down an explosive offense, just as it has for much of the year.

After holding star Blue Devil receiver Ramel Keyton to only six total yards in the first half, the Marietta offense managed to pick up yards to start the second half after NC held a drive that lasted half the quarter, finally ending with a touchdown. The Blue Devils tossed the ball around and matched the score a few minutes later.

After a Warrior punt and Marietta score, NC only led 21-16, but a long pass to running back CJ Cole up the middle of the field set Jai Erwin up for a 1 yard diving score, giving NC a 28-16 lead to enter the fourth quarter on senior night. The Warriors punishing rushing attack downed the clock to 5:16 and set up a Will Horton field goal.

Two big plays put Marietta in scoring position at the NC 25, where the Warrior pass rush forced freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey from the pocket, causing the young pivot to toss an ill-advised ball over the middle, where junior Trey Urquhart intercepted the pass to seal the game. The NC offensive line opened holes to finish out the game, and put a statement into the resolution of senior night. Offensively, sophomore running back Christian Singleton led  the Warriors with 134 yards on 18 carries, and senior running back CJ Cole carried the ball 21 times for 118 yards and picked up 93 receiving yards.

This Friday marks the Warrior’s second to last game, visiting Hillgrove to face the Hawks in a key region matchup.