The cool October weather seemed to have no effect on the Warriors as they took home a 45-3 victory over the Parkwood Rebels on October 18th. The team’s domination improved their record to 8-0 on the season.

Weddington won the coin toss and deferred, which awarded Parkwood the ball first. The seemingly unstoppable Weddington defense held Parkwood to a three-and-out. 

On Weddington’s first offensive drive, junior quarterback Dante Casciola threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Dusty Mercer, putting Weddington up 7-0 in the first seven minutes of the game. 

Following another punt by the Rebels and a Weddington drive that ended in a punt as well, Will Shipley’s epic night of scoring began. Shipley carried his first of four touchdowns into the endzone for 10 yards, putting the Warriors up 14-0 to start off the second quarter. Parkwood’s next drive resulted in no score yet again. 

Colby Barsz’s punt return to the Weddington 24 was taken back ten yards due to a holding penalty on the receiving team. Casciola’s next pass was a rocket down field to Shipley, who brought the 83-yard pass to the house, extending Weddington’s lead to 21-0.

As the clock wound down, Parkwood made a 20-yard field goal, while Weddington’s next drive resulted in a 19-yard field goal. At the half, Weddington was sitting at a comfortable 24-3 lead.

Weddington began with the ball in the second half. After a Weddington penalty on the kickoff, Will Shipley started the half off with a three yard carry. Dante Casciola followed with an 89-yard pass downfield to Dusty Mercer, who took the ball into the end zone, giving Weddington a 31-3 lead. Parkwood’s next drive resulted in a three-and-out.

Weddington drove downfield on their second drive of the half. The team brought Ian Williams out to kick his second field goal of the game. Due to the fact that the Warriors were so close to the goal line, Coach Andy Capone called for a fake field goal. The attempt failed, and gave Parkwood the ball. Nothing came of the turnover because Weddington’s defense again held Parkwood to a three-and-out. 

The Warriors’ next drive was a success. After a 15-yard punt return set the team up in Parkwood territory, Casciola passed to Shipley once again, who had to jump over his defender for a 37 yard touchdown. That made the score 38-3 with three minutes left in the third quarter. 

The next four total drives resulted in no score. Weddington’s fifth drive of the half produced a touchdown. Colby Barsz returned the punt for four yards and set up the Weddington drive at their own 19. Shipley followed with a 12 yard carry, a four yard carry, and a 25 yard catch in which he jumped over yet another defender. A few plays later, Shipley caught his fourth and final touchdown of the night; a 57 yard pass from Casciola that put the Warriors up 45-3. Parkwood got the ball one more time, but produced nothing.

This week, the Warriors will travel to Marvin to play the Marvin Ridge Mavericks. The Mavericks are 4-3 on the season and coming off a 42-13 win over the Cuthbertson Cavaliers.