Weddington runs past Grimsley in NC high school football regional semifinal
They kept running into the powerful Grimsley defense, time after time, with little to show for it.
But the battering impact of Weddington’s offensive line gradually took its toll, and the floodgates opened in the second half.
Warrior quarterback Tyler Budge and his running backs repeatedly found themselves galloping for large gains. And when it was all over, Weddington had knocked off previously unbeaten Grimsley, 44-27, and advanced to the 4A West Regional playoff final.
The Warriors (12-2) will host Independence next Friday, for a spot in the state championship game in two weeks.
“Our guys are in great shape,” Weddington coach Andy Capone said. “They worked hard, they’re in great shape, and they eventually wore the other team down.”
The Warriors ran for 80 yards in the first two quarters. They ran for 207 after halftime and had several other big runs called back for penalties.
“We knew that if we could keep their offense under control, our offense eventually would take over,” Capone said.
Of course, Weddington’s defense came alive in the second half too.
The Warriors were able to break through Grimsley’s offensive line numerous times in the final two quarters, sacking Whirlies’ quarterback Faizon Brandon three times and making him scramble on most other pass attempts.
At one point in the third quarter, Weddington linebacker Braedan Barger sacked Faizon on consecutive plays.
“We relied on our defensive backs to stop their receivers, and we were able to do our thing,” Barger said.
Grimsley squeaked past Weddington 28-27 in the playoffs a year ago, and the Whirlies’ last official loss was in the 2021 playoffs, to Union County’s Porter Ridge. Grimsley lost to New Bern in the 4A championship last season, but New Bern had to forfeit its 2022 victories for using ineligible players, and Grimsley’s loss was erased.
For about 2½ quarters Friday night, it looked as if Grimsley might be able to keep the streak going.
The Whirles, fueled by 5-6 junior running back Mitchell Sanders, rallied from an early deficit and took a 20-14 halftime lead after driving 80 yards for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the second quarter.
But on the Warriors’ second possession of the third quarter, junior running back Nick Diamond broke two tackles and sped 52 yards for a touchdown. Everett Scott’s conversion kick made it 21-20, and Weddington was ahead to stay.
Brady Ritter and Diamond scored on runs early in the fourth quarter, putting the Warriors up 37-20.
Grimsley made a final gasp, marching 80 yards and scoring on a pass from Brandon to Terrell Anderson. But the Whirlies’ onside kick attempt bounced into the hands of Weddington’s Keenan Jackson, who raced 55 yards for a clinching touchdown with 4:48 remaining.
Three who made a difference
Tyler Budge (Weddington): The Warriors had three running backs at or above 100 yards, but Budge, a senior quarterback, led the way. He carried 14 times for 101 yards and completed 7-of-13 passes for 91 yards.
Mitchell Sanders (Grimsley): He had a huge night, rushing 25 times for 141 yards, catching two passes for another 25 yards, and adding kickoff returns of 47 and 65 yards.
Braedan Barger (Weddington): The Warriors had several outstanding defensive players, but Barger had two sacks and several hurries on Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon.
Worth noting
▪ Touchdown conversions played a big role in the game. Grimsley kicker Jackson Henry slipped and fell on the conversion kick after his team’s third touchdown. Then when Weddington scored to go up 27-20 early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors pulled off a successful two-point conversion for a 29-20 lead. That made it a two-possession lead.
▪ Grimsley averaged less than one punt per game before Friday night but had to punt four times against Weddington. One of those was a shanked 22-yard kick that gave the Warriors possession at the Grimsley 25. Weddington scored a touchdown on that second-quarter series.
▪ It was nearly an error-free game. Grimsley had no turnovers. Weddington turned it over once on an interception, but Grimsley picked off the pass at its own 6. That series ended with the shanked punt.
▪ A sign of Weddington’s success in football — the Warriors held a practice on Thanksgiving morning. It was the 10th straight year that Weddington was still alive in the playoffs and held a practice on Thanksgiving.
What’s next
Weddington hosts Independence in the 4A West Regional final next Friday.
Scoring summary
Grimsley 7 13 0 7 – 27
Weddington 7 7 7 23 – 44
W – Nick Diamond 12 run (Everett Scott kick)
G – Mitchell Summers 28 run (Jackson Henry kick)
G – Summers 2 run (Henry kick)
W – Tyler Budge 12 run (Scott kick)
G – Summers 2 run (kick failed)
W – Diamond 52 run (Scott kick)
W – Brady Ritter 33 run (Budge run)
W – Diamond 8 run (Javon Barber pass from Budge)
G – Terrell Anderson 17 pass from Faizon Brandon (Henry kick)
W – Keenan Jackson 55 kickoff return (Scott kick)
