WS Chronicle

East Forsyth and Glenn played one another for the second time this season last Friday night. Glenn pitched a shutout in week one, winning 18-0, and was looking to solidify a playoff spot with a second victory. The Bobcats took early control of the game and even with a two-hour lightning delay, they easily defeated the Eagles 35-13.

“The kids played hard and we had a great first half and we survived the second half, but nonetheless it was a great game by the guys,” said Antwon Stevenson, Bobcats head coach. “I am just proud of them and I tell people all the time that coaches lose games, but players win games.

“They had a hard week of practice and they just came out and played together. I am proud of the guys because of all of the doubters, but eventually they are going to start giving us some respect, because we only have five seniors. We are setting the bar high now and now making the playoffs is great. Now we have to take it one week at a time.”

The Bobcats set the tone for the game early. Their plan of getting their skill position players in space and letting them make plays worked to perfection. Before the Eagles could blink, they were down 14-0 by the end of the first quarter, with touchdown receptions from Aronson Cook and Markell Lloyd respectively.

“We have speed everywhere and we take advantage of matchups and that’s what our offense is all about,” said Stevenson. “The offensive line did a great job of giving Cam time to process and make throws. It was good to see, and we threw a trick play in there to get some momentum.”

As the first quarter came to a close, lightning was seen off in the distance. Administrators from East Forsyth then stopped the game and promptly cleared the stadium. The delay lasted for over two hours before play resumed.  

Luckily for Glenn, they recently went through something similar a few weeks earlier, so they were mentally prepared for the weather delay, said Stevenson.

“We had just went through this two weeks ago against Davie,” Stevenson continued. “We were supposed to play on that Friday, but the lights were out because of a crash. Then we played on Saturday, but we had a stoppage in the fourth quarter because of lightning and a downpour. Then we had to come back Monday to finish that game. Then we had to turn back around and play Reynolds on a Thursday.

“So, you are talking about four times in seven days we had to get mentally ready for a game, so I am just happy for the guys.”

The Eagles could not muster any type of sustained offense to match the defensive intensity from the Bobcats. Glenn, on the other hand, picked up right where they left off before the weather delay. On their first drive, Coleman connected with Levine Smith for a 43-yard touchdown pass, his third of the day.

“It’s consequences for naught, and I’ll leave it at that,” Stevenson said about how his team kept up the momentum after the long delay. “It’s one of those things we practice, and we work on. When you are in that situation, you have to be ready to go. 

“We say tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history, we are worried about today; we are worried about right now. So, that’s what the guys know, that’s what they understand, and that’s how they played.”

Right before the half, Glenn made another push to score once again. With less than 30 seconds left in the half, Coleman found Smith for a second time with a 34-yard touchdown strike to take a 28-0 lead at intermission.

Things started to click for East Forsyth in the second half. The Eagles finally found some rhythm on offense by running the ball and halted the onslaught from the Bobcat offense. East Forsyth finally got on the scoreboard when quarterback Jaylen Raynor found Ahmarrion Holland for a touchdown reception.

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the game was no longer in doubt. In total, Coleman threw five touchdown passes on the evening.

“He has just gotten so much better,” Stevenson said about Coleman. “Once I stopped confusing him after the Reagan game, it has become simple for him. We simplified some stuff, because I was making it way too difficult for everybody on the offensive side. 

“Hats off to the offensive line as well, because they blocked well. When you have those guys up front blocking well and you’re comfortable, it makes it a lot easier.”

Stevenson was pleased with the defensive effort his team put forth. After losing several starters from last year’s team, including Raneiria Dillworth and Jahvaree Ritzie.

“Just motivation, because a lot of people said we were not going to be as good defensively,” Stevenson said about how well his defense played. “The guys read social media and all that stuff and when you lose three D1 players, and two of them were top 300 in the country, I mean I get the mumbles.  

“We just had some young guys in here that felt like they wanted to be the next one, so that’s the beauty of this whole thing.”

The win secured a playoff spot for the Bobcats. Glenn will face Butler High School out of Matthews. Stevenson feels this win gives his team great motivation headed into the game.

“We just have to keep it going and the guys are riding high, but come Monday I am going to bring them back down to earth,” he said. “We are just going to put in the work and get ready for next Friday.”