Chambers solid in first round NCHSAA game. Cougars overwhelm Northwest Guilford at home

Chambers is on to the next round of the N.C. 4A football playoffs, and the star of Friday’s 45-20 win over Northwest Guilford was backup quarterback Jaden Marshall.

Marshall had more than 300 yards passing and four touchdowns in place of injured starting quarterback Tre’ Robinson, who was injured in last week’s game with Mallard Creek and is questionable for next week’s second-round game at Weddington.

Wiggins said if Robinson is not ready to go, he feels confident Marshall can play just as well as he did Friday.

“I thought Jaden (Marshall) did a good job stepping in,” Wiggins said. “It is just one of those things in our program where we always coach up the second guy. Whether we have Jaden in or Bryson (Wright) in, or whoever, we expect them to come in and execute. That is kind of the standard.”

Marshall said he felt comfortable Friday, that he saw his guys open and just did his job.

“(Northwest Guilford) was just giving me one-on-one matchups and my receivers were beating their matchup off the line,” Marshall said. “They were just wide open.”

Outside of Marshall’s breakthrough performance, Chambers was better with penalties, drawing fewer than in past games, and avoiding an old bugaboo.

“We probably had 16 or 17 penalties last week,” Wiggins said. “Penalties have haunted us all year. It is one thing if we get a bang-bang call on roughing the passer, but the procedural penalties, there is no excuse for that. We have got to do a better job of cleaning that up.”

The Cougars will need to play a clean game — and get a strong performance from whichever quarterback starts — playing at No. 1 overall seed Weddington in Union County next week.

“We just have to continue to do what we do,” Wiggins said. “The big thing is us. It is us versus us. We can’t do what we did tonight as far as give up explosive plays and things like that. So, it is just one of those things where we have to go in and play our brand of football and hopefully come out with a victory.”

Three who made a difference

Jaden Marshall, Chambers: The junior quarterback was able to fit the football into tight windows on several long pass plays. He was also dangerous with his feet, running for a few big gains and crucial first downs.

Armon Wright, Chambers: Northwest Guilford simply couldn’t catch him. The senior receiver had two touchdown catches, one coming on a short slant over the middle. Wright did the rest speeding by both of the Northwest Guilford safeties and scoring from over 60 yards out.

Prince Caldwell, Chambers: The Cougars running back had two rushing scores and a handful of long runs. His best run came after a penalty, setting the Cougars in a second and 20 situation. He gained all 20 yards back and more.

What’s next?

Northwest Guilford will finish its season with an 8-3 record. The Cougars (8-3) will travel to Weddington (9-2) to face the Warriors on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Score Summary

Northwest Guilford: 0 7 6 7 — 20

Julius Chambers: 14 10 21 0 — 45