No. 1 Weddington football rolls past No. 16 Sun Valley in battle of conference unbeatens
Weddington kept its undefeated season alive Friday, dispatching Sun Valley, 49-14. Though the first half was close, the Warriors pulled away after halftime to secure their 13th consecutive win going back to last season.
“I think offensively we started with a great first drive,” Weddington head coach Andy Capone said. “After that I think we kind of lost focus, but I’m just glad with how they responded. You know we played a great second half, and ultimately got done what we needed to get done.”
The Warriors opened with a bang, scoring their first touchdown on a play reminiscent of the “Philly Special” on their first drive. The trick play saw senior quarterback Gregory Fee catch a 15-yard touchdown from his running back.
“I honestly never ever though he would ever call that play,” Fee said. “We didn’t really practice it much, but he called it, and we ran it.”
The Spartans’ defense didn’t expect it, either, as Fee was able to haul in the touchdown unscathed. Sun Valley answered quickly though, when junior running back Cole Eversole took a short pass 26-yards to even up the score.
Weddington retook the lead on a six-yard run from Brody Anson in the second quarter. The Warriors also forced a three-and-out on the following Sun Valley drive, but lost the ball on a fumble caused by Spartans linebacker Brandon Creech.
With momentum back on Sun Valley’s side, junior quarterback Noah Lineberry linked up with wideout Amari Baker for a 26-yard touchdown to knot the game back up at 14. Not to be outdone, Fee found fellow senior Javon Barber on a busted coverage for a 53-yard bomb to regain the lead just before halftime.
Coming out of the break, Weddington’s defense forced a quick three-and-out that set the offense up in great field position. The Warriors capitalized when Fee ran the QB keep in from 15 yards to extend their lead and complete his scoring trifecta on the night.
The Warriors rolled the rest of the way, putting up three more touchdowns on offense, while the defense secured two takeaways.
When asked what he said at halftime to spur his team to their dominant second half performance, Capone said he told his players that they had to play for each other.
“I just told them it’s their team, and they got to make a choice on whether they’re going to play for each other, or just try to do stuff as individuals, and you know I think they responded very well.”
Three who made a difference
Gregory Fee, Weddington: The senior quarterback put up a touchdown hat trick Friday, recording a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown.
Brody Anson, Weddington: The senior running back also scored three touchdowns, with two on the ground and the third passing.
Brandon Creech, Sun Valley: Creech was a vital part of his team’s first-half success, as the junior linebacker recorded a sack along with forcing a fumble which he recovered.
What’s Next
Weddington will travel to Cuthbertson next Friday, while Sun Valley travels to Marvin Ridge.
Game Summary
Weddington – 7 14 7 21 - 49
Sun Valley – 7 7 0 0 - 14
First Quarter
(W) – Gregory Fee 15-yard pass from Brody Anson (Everet Mandeville kick after good)
(SV) - Cole Eversole 26-yard pass from Noah Lineberry (Don Liemkukler kick after good)
Second Quarter
(W) - Anson 6-yard run (kick after good)
(SV) - Amari Baker 23-yard pass from Lineberry (kick after good)
(W) - Javon Barber 56-yard pass from Fee (kick after good)
Third Quarter
(W) - Fee 15-yard run (point after good)
Fourth Quarter
(W) - Anson 13-yard run (point after good)
(W) - Will Melton 11-yard pass from Walker Powell (kick good)
(W) - Markus Lyerly 5-yard run (kick good)
This story was originally published October 18, 2024 at 11:04 PM.
