Warrior Stadium was packed Friday night as the Weddington Warriors were set to host the cross-county rival, the Cuthbertson Cavaliers. Not only was this the final home game of the regular season before playoffs, it was senior night for the fourteen football seniors, nine cheer seniors, and eighteen marching band seniors.

The Warriors were coming off of a 52-0 shutout over Sun Valley the week before and were looking to remain undefeated in the conference. On the other side of the ball, Cuthbertson had just suffered their fifth loss of the season. Despite the drastic difference in the outcome of their previous games, this one started out competitive.

Cuthbertson won the coin toss and elected to receive. Matthew Moonan’s kickoff went into the endzone, meaning the drive would start at Cuthbertson’s own twenty yard line. The Cavaliers wasted absolutely no time scoring in front of a packed crowd. A lateral pass from Parker Burke to AJ Colombo ended up in the hands of Keenan Jackson downfield. Jackson ran the ball in for a touchdown, completing a one drive possession that ended in a failed two point conversion attempt. Fifteen seconds into the game, the Warriors were already trailing 6-0 and the crowd was silent.

The next drive by the Warriors resulted in a quick three and out by the Cavaliers defense and Moonan was called on to punt the ball back. Colombo returned the punt into Weddington territory. The Warriors defense held Cuthbertson at fourth down and two, but the Cavaliers made the decision to go for the first down. The choice paid off, as Burke launched a thirty eight yard touchdown pass to Matthew Grant. The extra point was made and, with eight minutes and twenty seconds left in the first quarter, Weddington was trailing 13-0.

Weddington was held to yet another three and out. The next drive, Cuthbertson drove down the field and was forced to settle for a field goal attempt. The kick was no good, so Weddington earned the ball at their own twenty. Two runs by senior Kyle Parsons and a long pass to junior Ian McDermaid set the Warriors up at the Cuthbertson twenty seven yard line. The next play, senior Grady Brosterhous found senior Landyn Backey and the two connected on a twenty seven yard touchdown. Moonan’s extra point was good, and the Warriors were on the board with three and a half minutes left in the first.

Cuthbertson got the ball back, but an eight yard sack by junior Knox Willingham led to another three and out by the Warrior defense. Weddington drove right down the field to the redzone, but Parsons fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the defense. Nothing came from the Cuthbertson offense from the fumble, so the ball went right back into Weddington’s hands.

The punt was downed at the Weddington forty six, giving the offense excellent field position. An explosive run by Parsons put the Warriors at the Cuthbertson one yard line. A score was almost inevitable. Backey and Brosterhous connected again for their second touchdown of the night. Moonan’s extra point was good again, and the Warriors led Cuthbertson 14-13.

The rest of the half saw no scoring. After an incredible performance by the marching band, the teams took the field to begin the second half.

The Warriors got the ball first, and made certain to take advantage of it. Parsons ran for a total of forty eight yards during the drive, and capped it off with a five yard touchdown run. Moonan made his third extra point of the night, and the Warriors extended their lead 21-13.

The next score of the game would not come until halfway through the final quarter of the game. Defenses battled back and forth until Zymill Patterson and Brosterhous connected for a twenty one yard touchdown. Moonan made his fourth extra point of the night, making the score 28-13.

With that, the Warriors did not allow another score the rest of the game. 28-13 was the final. Weddington scored 28 unanswered points to beat the Cavaliers. The victory will carry them into the final regular season game, an away game at Marvin Ridge. Both teams are undefeated in the conference, with their only loss of the season coming against Ardrey Kell.