The Warriors from Weddington High School defeated the Chargers of Providence Day School by a score of 13-7 on Thursday night. It was the second of the two games played at the 2024 Keep Pounding High School Classic. It kicked off at 8:00 p.m.

Weddington entered the showdown as the No. 3 team in the HSOT Statewide Top 25 rankings. Providence Day entered at No. 2. The victorious Warriors are the defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state champions. The Chargers have won the past three N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championships.

The matchup featured a bevy of 5-star/4-star prospects, eight of which were spread between the defensive front seven on both sides. 5-stars senior David Sanders and junior Kendre Harrison for Providence Day are two of the top ranked players in the country and they play two ways. Providence Day also has 4-stars sophomore Griff Galloway and junior Leo Delaney. Weddington has four 4-stars in its front seven: senior Trajen Odom and juniors Drew Harris, Aiden Harris, and Thomas Davis Jr.

The heralded defenses came to play.

While each team allowed a touchdown drive in the fist half, the defensive fronts were largely overwhelming to the opposing offensive lines. Each team was credited with multiple sacks and tackles for a loss on rushing plays that were often drive killers.

Providence Day’s touchdown was set up by a 42-yard pass from junior UNC commit Zaid Lott to junior receiver Brendan Ravin. A couple of plays after, senior Army running back commit Ian Cline found the end zone from five yards out. It was Cline’s first score of the season as he did not get any carries in Providence Day’s 55-8 win over Trinity Christian in week zero.

Lott missed the week’s practice while he deals with an injury to his latissimus dorsi. In speaking of injuries, Weddington’s Nick Diamond fractured his elbow on the first play of the game. Providence Day’s top receiver Gordon Sellars was hit near the head in the first half and did not return.

Weddington’s touchdown came in the second quarter. After sacks by Aiden Harris and Drew Wiseman forced the Chargers to punt on a fourth-and-29, the Warriors put together a nice, patient drive.

Senior quarterback Gregory Fee hit new Weddington wide receiver Kelson Tate for a six-yard touchdown near the front right pylon. Tate, a junior, transferred to Weddington from North Mecklenburg. Fee is a first-year starter after sitting behind Georgia Southern passer Tyler Budge.

Both teams committed more than the amount of penalties that we’re used to seeing from either side.

That was especially true of Providence Day in the second half. The Chargers had two significant gains called back due to a holding and multiple pre-snap infractions.

With four minutes left in the third quarter, Providence Day had an opportunity to take a lead on a 47-yard field goal attempt but missed.

In the fourth quarter, the deeper Weddington roster proved to have just a little bit more in the tank.

After the quarter change, the Warriors continued their drive that followed the missed field goal. The Warriors mixed around their play calls to produce a consistent drive. When facing serious pressure, Fee made a nice throw to senior tight end Joseph Madden to advance the ball down to the 12-yard line of Providence Day. Two plays later, Fee rolled to his left and fired a touchdown dart to junior Jon Manley.

The point after attempt was missed, so Weddington led 13-7 with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter.

On the following Providence Day drive, things started out looking promising. Lott completed nice passes to Raven and senior Jaylen Himes. Lott pulled off a 30-yard scramble, but it was called back due to one of the holding penalties. Another pre-snap infraction and a sack by senior linebacker Braeden Barger on Lott forced Providence Day into a fourth-and-34 that it needed to punt from.

Providence Day’s last push came when Weddington attempted to convert on a fourth-and-one from midfield and the Chargers pushed the Warriors back for a loss on the play.

When the Chargers faced a third-and-15 on the next drive, Lott was intercepted on the sideline by junior defensive back James Colonna.

A clutch pass on third down by Fee set up a fourth-and-one that he was able to pick up with his legs. That fourth down conversion iced the game.

Weddington (1-0 overall, 0-0 Southern Carolina 4A) will host Ardrey Kell in its home opener next Friday. Providence Day (1-1 overall, 0-0 NCISAA Big South) will host another NCHSAA 4A school in Asheville next Friday.

Source: highschoolot.com