Grimsley Whirlies go on the road and defeat Northwest Vikings 48-14
Courtesy of Mike Fanning, covering the 2023 Grimsley Whirlies football team for GreensboroSports.com
With every seat taken at R.L. Billings Stadium at Northwest Guilford High School, the fans were forced to line the fences, standing shoulder to shoulder, excited to see this highly awaited Metro 4A matchup. The fans were loud and you could feel the electricity as you walked through the stadium. It was that “electric energy” that new Viking coach Chris Rusiewicz hoped would help propel his team to victory. Little did he know that Grimsley knew where the fuse box was located and cut off the Viking’s power in a big first quarter before pulling away to a 48-14 win.
After winning the opening coin toss, and nearly returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the Northwest fans were on their feet and as loud as any crowd the Whirlies have played this season. Unfortunately for Northwest, the opening kick was called back due to holding penalty, a self-inflicted error that would repeat itself all night. Starting from their own 20 yard line, the Vikings would be forced to punt on 4th and 10. A bad snap went over the punter’s head and landed on the 14 yard line giving the Whirlies incredible field possession to start their first drive. Only one play later, tailback Mitchell Summers ran it in to make it a 7-0 game.
Northwest would answer back on their next drive using a big kickoff return. Starting on the 50 yard line, the Vikings would go 7 plays and score on a Malique Jones touchdown run to make it a 7-7 game. On the ensuing drive, the Whirlies would go 80 yards on 9 plays, capped off by a second 14 yard Mitchell Summers touchdown run. Grimsley would go up 14-7 and were never threatened again. The Grimsley kickoff was fumbled by Northwest and the Whirlies set-up shop on the Viking 35 yard line. It was the first of 4 turnovers on the night for Northwest. Faizion Brandon finished the drive off with a 3 yard touchdown run to make it 21-7.
After kicking off, Northwest started to put a drive together as time ticked down in the first quarter. And on the final play of the quarter, Tanner Ballou pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Grimsley cornerback Christian Barrett making it 28-7. Two Viking turnovers and four Grimsley touchdowns had some of those “electric” standing fans headed for the exits.
As the second quarter started, Northwest tried again to put a drive together, this time going 65 yards to the Grimsley three yard line. Again, Tanner Ballou pass was intercepted, this time by Fred Sellers for the third Viking turnover in 15 minutes. After each team exchanged punts, the Whirles found themselves needing to go 70 yards in 1:27 if they wanted to score before the half. Well, it only took them 1:03 as Alex Taylor caught a beautiful 21 yard touchdown pass from Brandon making it 35-7 at the intermission.
After a great halftime show by the Northwest band, the Whirlies went back to work. Brandon was able to connect with WR Terrell Anderson on a 41 yard touchdown throw to make it 42-7. Northwest was able to score in the third quarter, but the Whirlies responded with a short touchdown drive of their own to make the final score 48-14.
Overall, the Whirlies took advantage of great field possession in the first half, scoring four touchdowns on five possessions and getting a pick-6 from the defense. The Whirlie defense created 4 Viking turnovers and two stops on 4th down. Mitchell Summers led the way on the ground and the Grimsley offensive line gave Faizon Brandon time to complete passes to both Taylor and Anderson.
Grimsley improved to 5-0 on the season, while Northwest drops to 3-2. Grimsley next game is at home against Western Guilford this Friday beginning at 7:30pm