Saturday's down south are known for tailgating and college football. Thanks to mother nature not cooperating Friday night, we got an extra helping of high school football this Saturday.
The Weddington Warriors looked to start their state title defense against the visiting Ardrey Kell Knights, a budding rivalry that gets more intense each time the teams face off.
This August evening had an abnormal chill in the air for this time of the year. When the ball was kicked off the temperature was hovering around 65 with overcast after a steady mist had been falling for of the day. The field conditions were not the best, after the heavy amounts of rain that was falling for the majority of the week prior, we wondered just how big of a factor that would be for both teams.
The class of 2021 5 star recruit Will Shipley started this season just like he left off in the state championship game in December, with a touchdown run. The Warriors held a 7-0 lead at halftime, the first half consisted of multiple penalties and sloppy plays that were intensified by the field conditions.
The second half was a completely different story, with an offensive explosion from both teams. First drive of the second half, Weddington brought in senior and Virginia Tech baseball commit Dusty Mercer as a wildcat quarterback. Mercer instantly made an impact, he rumbled off a huge run and then hit sophomore Landyn Backey on a screen pass that he took all the way in for the touchdown.
From that point on it was all Weddington. Junior Trey Gordon who came over this season from the rival Sun Valley Spartans, joined in on the scoring with a touchdown run to put the Warriors up 21-0 and than it was starting quarterback Dante Casciola's turn as he scrambled out of the pocket and hit the All American Shipley for the touchdown, extending the Warriors lead to 28-0.
The Ardrey Kell Knights would not go down without a fight, after the offense struggled throughout the first three quarters, the fourth quarter was a completely different story. Knights drove down to the two yard line and senior quarterback Jared Jospeh decided to take things into his own hands as he ran it in from the goal line to give the Knights their first points of the season.
Later in the quarter Joseph connected with freshman Brooks Stankavage on a nice pitch and catch for the touchdown. That would be the last points either team would score in this contest, meaning the Weddington Warriors would get the victory 28-14.
Both teams fought hard, and for Weddington this is how you want to start off your state championship defense, with a well executed first game of the season.
For Ardrey Kell and first year Head Coach Greg Jachym, this game gives you something to build on as both the offense and defense start to gel. The Knights are going to be a formidable opponent for whomever they face as the season continues.
Weddington: 1-0, next week travel to Indian Trail Porter Ridge Pirates
Ardrey Kell: 0-1, next week host Charlotte East Mecklenburg Eagles
Interview with Head Coach Andy Capone
Interview with Will Shipley
The second half was a completely different story, with an offensive explosion from both teams. First drive of the second half, Weddington brought in senior and Virginia Tech baseball commit Dusty Mercer as a wildcat quarterback. Mercer instantly made an impact, he rumbled off a huge run and then hit sophomore Landyn Backey on a screen pass that he took all the way in for the touchdown.
From that point on it was all Weddington. Junior Trey Gordon who came over this season from the rival Sun Valley Spartans, joined in on the scoring with a touchdown run to put the Warriors up 21-0 and than it was starting quarterback Dante Casciola's turn as he scrambled out of the pocket and hit the All American Shipley for the touchdown, extending the Warriors lead to 28-0.
The Ardrey Kell Knights would not go down without a fight, after the offense struggled throughout the first three quarters, the fourth quarter was a completely different story. Knights drove down to the two yard line and senior quarterback Jared Jospeh decided to take things into his own hands as he ran it in from the goal line to give the Knights their first points of the season.
Later in the quarter Joseph connected with freshman Brooks Stankavage on a nice pitch and catch for the touchdown. That would be the last points either team would score in this contest, meaning the Weddington Warriors would get the victory 28-14.
Both teams fought hard, and for Weddington this is how you want to start off your state championship defense, with a well executed first game of the season.
For Ardrey Kell and first year Head Coach Greg Jachym, this game gives you something to build on as both the offense and defense start to gel. The Knights are going to be a formidable opponent for whomever they face as the season continues.
Weddington: 1-0, next week travel to Indian Trail Porter Ridge Pirates
Ardrey Kell: 0-1, next week host Charlotte East Mecklenburg Eagles
Interview with Head Coach Andy Capone
Interview with Will Shipley
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