Last night, in a much-anticipated and televised game, the North Cobb Warriors traveled to East Cobb to take on the Walton Raiders. It was the second region game for both teams, and would determine the region-leader in 3-7A. The Warriors were the early favorite, but the environment in Raider Valley can prove hostile to visiting teams.
After dropping their first game of the season to the reigning 6A state-champs, Buford, the Warriors have been on a winning streak. They have decimated their opponents with double-digit wins, the closest coming against highly-rated Milton in Week 2, with a final score of 40-21.
In similar fashion, the Raiders were garnering notice of their own. They got off to a great start with an overtime win at Corky Kell over 7A powerhouse, Lowndes. They continued their winning ways with a Week 2 win over East Cobb rival, Pope. A loss to West Forsyth in Week 3 was a brief setback, but the Raiders got back on track with wins over Roswell and Hillgrove.
A high-scoring showdown was expected, and with Peachtree TV onsite broadcasting the contest, both teams obliged. A combined score of 80 points left no doubt that both schools had potent offenses.
After a penalty-filled first quarter though, it wasn't obvious that offense would be the feature of the game. The opening quarter ended with a slim North Cobb advantage, 8-7.
The second quarter was an altogether different story. North Cobb scored four TDs in the quarter, three of them in the last two minutes of the half. It was a disastrous turn of events for Walton, as the Warriors showed their quickness and strength on offense, defense, and special teams, taking a 37-14 lead into halftime.
Raider head coach Daniel Brunner didn't let the score distract his players, resulting in a 15-0 third quarter to pull within eight points heading into the final quarter, 37-29.
But Warrior head coach Shane Queen and 4-star junior QB Malachi Singleton had scoring plans of their own. North Cobb hung another 14 points on the Raiders in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. With a final score of 51-29, it was clear that North Cobb was now playing up to its potential.
Singleton closed out the evening with five TDs—4 rushing and a huge 30-yard pass—and over 200 yards of total offense (83 rushing, 125 passing). His spot-on TD pass completed by an amazing over-the-shoulder catch by Georgia-commit De'Nylon Morrissette in the second quarter revealed just how difficult it can be to defend the Warriors once they get going. They can score on the ground, through the air, and routinely make something out of nothing.
Both teams have a tough region schedule yet to play. North Cobb hosts Hillgrove next week, and then travels to Marietta and North Paulding to close out their regular season. Walton travels to North Paulding next week, and finishes at home with Harrison and Marietta. Keep your eye on the action yet to come in Region 3-7A.
