The Weddington Warriors are back in the title game for the third time in six years. Coach Andy Capone, in his first year at the helm, has led the Warriors to a 14-1 record. Weddington is led by the dynamic running duo of sophomore Will Shipley and senior Wayne Dixie. These two running backs have combined for over 2,000 yards this season and twenty-eight touchdowns. The Warriors like to throw the ball as well as quarterback Whitner Litton has thrown for twenty-three touchdowns and almost 2,000 yards.
Eamon Murphy has had a great season on defense, amassing over 150 tackles. Alec Mock is right on his tail with 148 tackles, including two forced fumbles. Special teams will be key to the success for Weddington this Saturday. Kicker Ian Williams has plenty of range and can get three points from almost any distance.
Weddington's only loss this season was to Charlotte Catholic who is appearing in the 3A state championship game. The Southern Carolina Conference, which both teams belong to, has routinely been noted as the most difficult 3A conference in the state of North Carolina.
Making their first appearance in a state championship game this Saturday will be the Southeast Guilford Falcons who are also sporting a 14-1 record on the season. While Weddington was able to breeze through the 3AA western region, the Falcons from Southeast Guilford faced a much more challenging road. After squeaking by conference rival Eastern Guilford in overtime in the second round, the Falcons had to take down the rival Dudley in the third round just to meet up with eastern North Carolina power Cleveland in the regional final. Both of those teams were looking for their first berth in a state championship game, but the southeast Guilford Falcons were victorious coming back late when Ryan Douglas found a wide-open Tyler Hoff for a 71 yd game winner.
After a one-point setback to 4A county rival Northwest Guilford in the third week of the season, Coach Kennedy Tinsley‘s Falcons have roared back for eleven straight wins and did it with mostly defense during the regular season. Jalen Stockham has picked off six passes this year and recovered two fumbles, giving an offense that scores more than 30 points a game even more possessions.
Ryan Douglas has been an efficient quarterback, throwing for more than 2,000 yards this season while sophomore running back Jalen Fairley has rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored fifteen touchdowns.
Both teams like to move the chains and get in the end zone frequently so it’s most likely that the game will come down to which defense can get a key stop at the right time.
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