The defending 4A state champions are headed back to the state semifinals after picking up a win in a game between two unbeaten teams.

(2) Weddington won its 19th straight game with a 37-21 win over (3) East Forsyth in the fourth round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs on Friday night.

The first half belonged to Weddington, but East Forsyth had some missed opportunities. The Eagles’ Dominique Tshiboyi intercepted a Weddington pass on the opening drive, but the drive stalled and Weddington took over.

On the ensuing drive, Gregoy Fee connected with Javon Barber to get the Warriors down to the 8-yard line. The next two plays were runs by Nick Diamond, the last a four-yard run for a touchdown. Weddington led 7-0 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.

East Forsyth had another missed opportunity on its next drive. Backed up on their own goal line, the Eagles faced a fourth down from their own 6-yard line. Despite that, East Forsyth faked a punt and barely picked up the first down after an official measurement. Two plays later, Bryce Baker completed a deep ball to J.P. Gilchrist inside the Weddington 45-yard line, but the drive stalled again and the Eagles punted.

Weddington led 7-0 after the first quarter, but they quickly added to that lead in the second. On 4th & 13 from the 31-yard line, Fee found Joseph Madden for a touchdown, extending the Warriors’ lead to 14-0.

East Forsyth finally found points on its next Drive. Baker connected with Jaylin Murry for a 27-yard gain down to the 3-yard line, then Corey Blair scored on the next play to get the Eagles within 14-7.

Weddington added a 21-yard field goal from Owen McNulty as time expired in the first half. McNulty missed a 31-yard field goal earlier in the quarter, but the Warriors led 17-7 at halftime.

East Forsyth tried to get within one score as it received the opening kick of the second half, but the Eagles were forced to punt and Weddington immediately took advantage. Diamond scored his second touchdown of the night with a 58-yard run to put Weddington in front by 17 points, leading 24-7.

East Forsyth went three-and-out on its next possession, and immediately, Fee connected with Barber for a 32-yard touchdown. The Eagles blocked the extra-point attempt, but Weddington’s lead was 30-7 with eight minutes left in the third quarter.

The Eagles finally got more points on their next drive. Baker completed a 14-yard pass to Murry on fourth down to cut Weddington’s lead to 30-14, making it a two-score game with 4:11 left in the third quarter.

Any hope of a comeback took a hit on the first play of the fourth quarter when Fee completed his third touchdown pass of the night — a 25-yard connection with Brody Anson. That score gave Weddington a 37-14 lead.

East Forsyth got one last touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Baker threw a six-yard pass to Jaire Richburg in the end zone. That brought the Eagles within 37-21 with just over four minutes left.

Weddington was able to kneel out the clock on its next possession, returning to the 4A western regional championship game.

Weddington will face the winner of (1) Grimsley and (5) Hough in the semifinals for the right to play for a 4A state championship.