Weddington uses a big second half, defeating Grimsley’s 44-27.

Weddington High School, playing host in the 4th round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs, used a big second half to eliminate the Whirlies 44-27.  A packed house, on a 40 degree night, saw momentum swings, turnovers, big plays, and a back and forth scoring that eventually led to the home team advancing to the State Quarterfinal.  Leading the 20-14 at halftime, the Whirlies couldn’t get the offense or defense going as Weddington scored the first 23 points of the second half and eventually pulled away for the 44-27 win.

Like the previous week against Hough, the Whirlies won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball.  And just like last week, the Whirlies went three and out and punted to Weddington.  Weddington’s first possession was a 77 yard scoring drive that saw Warriors quarterback Tyler Budge complete two long passes for first downs.  The drive was capped off by a 12 yard Nick Diamond touchdown run and just like that the Warriors were up 7-0.  

In typical fashion, the Whirlies answered right back, going 80 yards in less than 2 minutes to tie the game a 7-7.  It was Summers running it in from 29 yards away with 4:13 left to play in the first.  After a Grimsley stop and Weddington punt, the Whirlies started to put another drive together as the first quarter came to a close and the score tied at 7.  The Whirlies would eventually score on a second Mitchell Summers touchdown run to make it 14-7 with 7:21 to play until halftime.  

On the ensuing drive, Tyler Budge’s pass was intercepted by Fred Sellers.  It was the first and only turnover of the game.  With Grimsley already up by 7 and the momentum starting to build, the Weddington defense stepped up with a crucial three and out of the Whirlie offense.  Both running plays were stopped at the line of scrimmage and the pass attempt was incomplete.  The Whirlies were forced to punt out of their own endzone.  A short punt was returned to the Whirlie 25.  Just like that Weddington was back in business.  Five plays later, Tyler Budge ran it in from 7 yards out and the score was tied back at 14-14 with 3:37 left to play until halftime.

But the Whirlies were not done.  After the touchback, the Whirlies came back with one of their most impressive touchdown drives of the season.  They used running, short passes and long 30 yard catch to Alex Taylor to set up a one yard touchdown run by Summers, his third of the night, to make it 20-6 with only 13.8 seconds to play in the first half.  The point after was missed, but it was the kind of drive that the Whirlies had perfected all season, going 80 yards in 3:24 and getting a score right before half.  The Whirlies had the lead and the momentum at the intermission.

In the first half, Summers rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns while Brandon completed 11 of 15 throws for 138 yards.  The offense was clicking, scoring three first half touchdowns on five drives while the defense created one turnover and for the most part slowed the Weddington offense down.

Since the Whirlies received the opening kick, Grimsley kicked off to start the second half and just like last week, forced an immediate three and out from Weddington.  Grimsley started their first drive of the second half from their own 16 yard line and it became clear that the halftime adjustments Weddington made would have an impact on the game.  As this drive started, the Warriors decided to overload the box and bring blitzes on every play.  The Whirlies would pick up one first down, but the pressure was starting to win the line of scrimmage.  Forced to punt, the Warriors started their next drive on the their own 32 yard line.  After picking up a big third and six to get the drive started, running back Nick Diamond would take the next handoff 52 yards to the house.  Just like that Weddington had the lead at 21-20, and all the momentum.  

The next Grimsley drive would see Weddington bring blitz after blitz right into lap of Faizon Brandon.   The Whirlies struggled to move the ball and for the first time all season had issues in pass protection.  The Whirlies found a way to convert both a third and 14 and pick up a 4 and 1 to drive all the way down to the Weddington 12 yard line.  But on the first two plays from the 12, Brandon would be sacked back to back.  It had been rare to see Brandon on his back this year, but twice, on a key drive was displaying just how good the Weddington front 6  was playing.   Now out of field goal range on 4 and 19,  the Whirlies decided to punt it away.  As the third quarter ended, it was one of the few failed red zone trips all season for the Whirlies and it could not have come at a worse time.  

The ensuing Wedding drive to start the fourth quarter started with a bang.  A five yard bang.  Then another.  In fact, Weddington would not complete another pass the rest of the game as the Warriors offensive line started to take over the line of scrimmage.  Behind the running of Nick Diamond, Tyler Budge and Brady Ritter, Weddington backs drove down the field and scored to make it 27-20 with 10:47 left to play.  Instead of kicking the extra point, Weddington ran a two point play, a quarterback draw to convert to make it a two score game at 29-20.  Grimsley’s next possession would be a three and out.

Weddington would score again to make it 35-20 and again they would go for two, and get it again, to make it 37-20 with 6:23 to play.  Grimsley would not go away,  scoring again to make it 37-27, compliments of a 17 yard Anderson catch to make it a 10 point game.  With just 4:15 left on the clock, one timeout and down two scores, the Whirlies would attempt an onside kick.  The kick was recovered by Weddington and returned for a touchdown to make 44-27 and that sealed it.  

The second half belonged to Weddington, out-scoring the Whirlies 30 to 7 and taking over the line of scrimmage.  Weddington’s quarterback only completed 7 passes for 69 yards and one interception, but his running made all the difference.  He rushed for 74 yards and one touchdown while Nick Diamond rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns.  The 44 points were the most the Whirlies had given up all year.  Weddington ended the game with 308 yards of offense.

For the Whirlies, who had their sights set on much higher goals, could not find ways to slow down the Weddington running game and handle the blitzing pressure on offense.  Brandon ended 19 for 31 with 220 yards and one touchdown.  Summers rushed 23 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns.  Terrell Anderson caught 11 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.  Grimsley 27 points were the fewest they had scored all year.