Warriors wind down season with a win
CONCORD – Behind a dominating defensive effort and the powerful running of Fred Peace Jr., the Cabarrus Warriors ended their football season on a high note, downing Victory Christian/Northside Christian, 49-0, at Marion Field Friday night.
It was an emotional moment after the game for the first-year program, as many seniors were wrapping up their high school careers. Having lost all but one of their games going into Friday, Warriors coach Brad Hoover was happy to see them finish the season with a victory.
“I’m real proud of our team and our seniors,” Hoover said. “I’m real proud of the way they played and how they helped us this year.
“It wasn’t really the season we were hoping for or maybe expecting, and there have been a lot of ups and downs through that. But the way these guys have responded and helped get us on the right track, I am really thankful for all of them.”
The Warriors controlled the game from the start, allowing Victory/Northside Christian across the 50-yard line only once.
After stalling on its first drive, Cabarrus reeled off three quick scores in three different ways in the first quarter to lead, 12-0.
Kicker Mitch Jeter pounded a 38-yard field goal that would have been good from 60. The Warriors then tackled the punter in the end zone on a fumbled snap for a safety, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by Peace one play after his fantastic 50-yard kickoff return after the safety.
Peace’s 15 carry, 125-yard performance with four touchdowns put him over 1,000 yards on the season.
“My brothers tonight put me over 1,000 yards for the season,” Peace said. “I got to give my mom the game ball, so that is something I will always remember.”
Said Hoover, “We were trying to feed (Fred) enough to get him to 1,000 yards. He’s definitely earned it, and he’s been the workhorse for us offensively this year. He’s going to be missed.”
The defense also stifled the Royals, holding them to minus-39 yards rushing as the Warriors brought significant blitz pressure, especially early in the game. That pressure resulted in four Warrior interceptions, all by sophomore defensive backs. Xander Lamb had two, Jadon Williams one, and Trey Anderson returned his interception 55 yards for a “Pick-6.”
RECORDS
Cabarrus Warriors 2-8 overall, 0-4 in NCISAA Piedmont Conference; Victory Christian/ Northside Christian 2-5, 1-2 NCISAA Western
THE PLAY OF THE GAME
Peace’s 33-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter was a thing of beauty. Accelerating through a large hole on the left side toward the sideline, Peace cut back toward the middle of the field at the 7-yard line and was almost stopped. But he broke five tackles on his way to the goal line, spinning his way into the end zone standing up. It was the run that put him over 1,000 yards for the season.
This marks the third different team for which Peace has gained 1,000 yards. He previously did it as a sophomore at Cox Mill and last year for cfa Academy.
PRIMETIME PEFORMERS
Cabarrus Warriors
-- Peace dominated the game behind his offensive line, which opened huge holes.
-- Jeter was a force in the field-position game, pinning the Royals deep on every punt and kickoff and hitting 38- and 40-yard field goals. He nearly made kicks from a 52 and 61 yards. It’s clear why he has Division I offers.
-- Josh Diaz was an impact player on defense with multiple sacks, tackles for losses and a fumble recovery.
Victory/Northside
--Junior Caleb Coleman played multiple positions for the Royals and was 5-for-8 passing for 77 yards.
--All-purpose player Mekhi Moore has several touchdown-saving tackles while doing significant duty on the Royals’ offensive line.
3 OBSERVATIONS
-- Good to see Warriors senior receiver Caleb Otey get his first touchdown of the season on a great catch in the corner of the end zone from junior quarterback Tim Watson in the fourth quarter.
--The Royals were overmatched at nearly every position and only suited up 17 players for the game, forcing nearly everyone to play on both sides of the ball.
-- Cabarrus freshman quarterbak Tucker Kelley got his first significant minutes at the helm of the Warrior offense, filling in for Michael Dickens, who did not play.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
This was the last game of the season for both Cabarrus and Victory Christian/Northside Christian
CONCORD – Behind a dominating defensive effort and the powerful running of Fred Peace Jr., the Cabarrus Warriors ended their football season on a high note, downing Victory Christian/Northside Christian, 49-0, at Marion Field Friday night.
It was an emotional moment after the game for the first-year program, as many seniors were wrapping up their high school careers. Having lost all but one of their games going into Friday, Warriors coach Brad Hoover was happy to see them finish the season with a victory.
“I’m real proud of our team and our seniors,” Hoover said. “I’m real proud of the way they played and how they helped us this year.
“It wasn’t really the season we were hoping for or maybe expecting, and there have been a lot of ups and downs through that. But the way these guys have responded and helped get us on the right track, I am really thankful for all of them.”
The Warriors controlled the game from the start, allowing Victory/Northside Christian across the 50-yard line only once.
After stalling on its first drive, Cabarrus reeled off three quick scores in three different ways in the first quarter to lead, 12-0.
Kicker Mitch Jeter pounded a 38-yard field goal that would have been good from 60. The Warriors then tackled the punter in the end zone on a fumbled snap for a safety, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by Peace one play after his fantastic 50-yard kickoff return after the safety.
Peace’s 15 carry, 125-yard performance with four touchdowns put him over 1,000 yards on the season.
“My brothers tonight put me over 1,000 yards for the season,” Peace said. “I got to give my mom the game ball, so that is something I will always remember.”
Said Hoover, “We were trying to feed (Fred) enough to get him to 1,000 yards. He’s definitely earned it, and he’s been the workhorse for us offensively this year. He’s going to be missed.”
The defense also stifled the Royals, holding them to minus-39 yards rushing as the Warriors brought significant blitz pressure, especially early in the game. That pressure resulted in four Warrior interceptions, all by sophomore defensive backs. Xander Lamb had two, Jadon Williams one, and Trey Anderson returned his interception 55 yards for a “Pick-6.”
RECORDS
Cabarrus Warriors 2-8 overall, 0-4 in NCISAA Piedmont Conference; Victory Christian/ Northside Christian 2-5, 1-2 NCISAA Western
THE PLAY OF THE GAME
Peace’s 33-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter was a thing of beauty. Accelerating through a large hole on the left side toward the sideline, Peace cut back toward the middle of the field at the 7-yard line and was almost stopped. But he broke five tackles on his way to the goal line, spinning his way into the end zone standing up. It was the run that put him over 1,000 yards for the season.
This marks the third different team for which Peace has gained 1,000 yards. He previously did it as a sophomore at Cox Mill and last year for cfa Academy.
PRIMETIME PEFORMERS
Cabarrus Warriors
-- Peace dominated the game behind his offensive line, which opened huge holes.
-- Jeter was a force in the field-position game, pinning the Royals deep on every punt and kickoff and hitting 38- and 40-yard field goals. He nearly made kicks from a 52 and 61 yards. It’s clear why he has Division I offers.
-- Josh Diaz was an impact player on defense with multiple sacks, tackles for losses and a fumble recovery.
Victory/Northside
--Junior Caleb Coleman played multiple positions for the Royals and was 5-for-8 passing for 77 yards.
--All-purpose player Mekhi Moore has several touchdown-saving tackles while doing significant duty on the Royals’ offensive line.
3 OBSERVATIONS
-- Good to see Warriors senior receiver Caleb Otey get his first touchdown of the season on a great catch in the corner of the end zone from junior quarterback Tim Watson in the fourth quarter.
--The Royals were overmatched at nearly every position and only suited up 17 players for the game, forcing nearly everyone to play on both sides of the ball.
-- Cabarrus freshman quarterbak Tucker Kelley got his first significant minutes at the helm of the Warrior offense, filling in for Michael Dickens, who did not play.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
This was the last game of the season for both Cabarrus and Victory Christian/Northside Christian
