Three takeaways from Weddington’s win over Ardrey Kell; Why teams have bright futures

Weddington is indeed a football behemoth, with any early-season defensive problems fixed.

Ardrey Kell is not quite the state powerhouse we first thought.

Those would be the quick takeaways from Weddington’s 31-14 romp over the Knights in Friday night’s meeting of Observer Sweet 16 top-10 teams.

The host Warriors piled up 403 yards’ total offense against an Ardrey Kell defense that had permitted only a touchdown and two field goals in its first three games. Weddington quarterback Tyler Budge was extremely efficient, completing 23-of-33 passes for 274 yards and throwing for 195 of those before halftime, when the game was close.

Ardrey Kell moved the ball well in the first quarter but was stopped for most of the remainder of the game.

But, OK, time to put the brakes on.

Weddington coach Andy Capone says there are other layers to look at.

“They are a good team,” Capone says of the Knights (3-1). “Our defense made some big plays, and our offense moved the ball well.”

So here are some takeaways from Friday’s game, and they offer some hope for fans of both teams:

1. Weddington’s D can play

The Warriors’ first three games – a 39-38 victory over Charlotte Christian, a 52-32 loss to Providence Day, and a 49-32 win at West Forsyth – were not exactly the stuff that great defenses would hang their hats on.

But look deeper, Capone says.

“Those were three very good football teams that we played,” he says. “They were loaded with D1 talent. We had some things to work on, and we’ve made strides.”

Defensive end Knox Willingham had two tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, and a batted-down pass at the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Jack Collins batted down a pass and had a tackle for loss. Linebacker Vinny Jordan and defensive backs Ethan Berko and Matthew Massaro also had multiple big plays.

2. So can the Knights’ offense

Ardrey Kell led 7-3 early in this game and came within 1 yard of scoring again in the first quarter. Weddington stopped the Knights on fourth down at the Warriors 1. A touchdown there would have made it 14-3.

“I think that defensive stand at the goal line turned the momentum of the game,” Capone says.

What the Weddington offense did immediately afterwards supports its coach’s theory, but more about that later.

Ardrey Kell lost a fumble at midfield and had some kicking problems. The Knights gave Weddington good field position several times. And Knights’ receivers dropped at least three passes in the first half.

Then again, Ardrey Kell will have to pay attention to the fact that Weddington’s defensive line batted down several of 5-10 quarterback Josh Leclair’s passes. That’s a tactic some of the Knights’ opponents in the SoMeck 4A, notably Olympic and Myers Park, will probably try to copy.

3. Warriors have a QB

Weddington had a full-fledged battle in preseason for the starting quarterback job, between Tyler Budge and Willingham.

“It was really difficult to make a choice, but we went with Tyler, and he has really taken off,” Capone says.

Budge was extremely efficient, and the Warriors really hurt Ardrey Kell with passes over the middle. Zymill Patterson caught eight passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, but Budge completed tosses to seven different receivers.

And Budge engineered a drive that his coach felt changed the game’s momentum.

Down 7-3 late in the first quarter, Weddington stopped Ardrey Kell at the 1. The Warriors then drove 99 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Budge completed passes of 20, 25 and 27 yards on that march.

Both Budge and Willingham, by the way, are products of the Weddington area’s youth football program – the same athletic program that produced the school’s two-time state championship basketball teams.

So what’s next?

Ardrey Kell has finished its nonconference schedule and is idle next week. The Knights open SoMeck 4A play in two weeks at home against the conference’s new member, Palisades. Key conference games will be Sept. 30 at Myers Park and Oct. 21 at Olympic.

Weddington is home next Friday against Mecklenburg County (Va.) High, which lost 48-0 Friday night to 3A Lee County. The Warriors are off in two weeks, then start their Southern Carolina 4A Conference schedule Sept. 30 at home against Piedmont. The big test looks to be Oct. 7, when Porter Ridge visits Weddington.