10/18/25
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 21. Heide-Trask – 14. SWO - 21. Heide-Trask – 14.
Photos (courtesy of Kay McCloskey): LINK
Highlights & More: LINK
Have you noticed the sun shining just a little brighter this morning?
The air feels crisper. It smells fresh. Maybe it’s just a picture-perfect fall weekend in eastern North Carolina. Or maybe — just maybe — it’s because the Stallions snapped the skid and delivered a much-needed, much-enjoyed, and well-earned win last night!
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a Saturday morning after a Stallion Football victory. It feels like… VICTORY.
Ironically, winning means more “work” for me — more stats to digest, more thoughts to organize, more writing to do, and more interviews and video to process. It’s a late night after the game and a full Saturday morning of effort. But guess what? I LOVE IT. BRING IT ON. MAKE ME WORK.
Truth is, it’s not “work” at all. It’s a passion and a privilege. Kay and I are humbled by the kind words and thanks we receive, but please know — as they say at Chick-fil-A — “It’s our pleasure.” Thank YOU for letting us be a small part of SWO Football.
What a performance.
In a down-to-the-wire battle filled with big plays, referee drama, adversity, and a few cheap shots, it was the Stallions who kept their composure and knelt in Victory Formation as the clock hit zero. Final score: SWO 21, Heide-Trask Titans 14.
The offense was efficient and balanced — a much-improved short-to-medium passing game complemented a punishing, multi-headed rushing attack. And when crunch time came, the big fellas up front opened holes against much larger Titan defenders. It’s the best feeling in football: when you know you’re going to run the ball… they know you’re going to run the ball… and there’s absolutely nothing they can do to stop it.
And the defense? WHOA.
Best performance of the season — especially in the second half. Multiple fourth-down stops. A shutout after halftime. Hard-hitting, uplifting, and enthusiastic. It was a gut check, and the Stallion D more than rose to the occasion.
Alex Torres — what a game! I kept wondering who this mystery kid was flying to the ball and playing inspired football. Turns out, Alex switched jerseys from #42 to #52. Now I know. And now you do too.
Reflections on Heide-Trask:
They’ve got some big dudes. #74 is every bit of 6'5", 300+ lbs — and only a junior. They’ve got talent. But they also rack up penalties and, in my opinion, cross the line with some of their antics. If they can tighten up the discipline, they’ll be a force.
Unsung Heroes:
We’ve highlighted the stars (see interviews and game summary), but today I want to spotlight a few names who don’t always get the recognition they deserve:
Isaiah Greene – Senior WR. Gutsy catches, tough hits, never dropped a ball. Fearless across the middle.
Jakell Howard – Senior RB. A grinder. Tough yardage. True workhorse.
Landon Marshburn – Senior MLB. Always around the ball. Not the biggest, but instinctive and relentless.
Cole Jarman – Senior OL. Versatile, dependable, and team-first.
Jacob Hill – Senior DT. Battled adversity and now a consistent force inside.
Danny Santos – Senior Punter. Handles tough snaps and still boots it deep.
Tito Escalara – Senior DE/TE. Mr. Consistency. Sure-handed, steady, and a defensive anchor.
Coaching Staff — it’s working.
Whatever you’re doing, it’s working. Most importantly, you’ve built a brotherhood. Just a couple of games ago, I worried the team had fractured. But now? The sideline energy, the encouragement, the unity — it’s contagious. I even found myself yelling. Oops. Couldn’t help it. That’s what enthusiasm does — it bonds us together.
Yes, it’s just one win against six losses. But it feels like so much more. Last week’s 50-14 loss didn’t reflect the team’s growth. A spark was lit. The Stallions became a team. Some scoffed at my optimism, but true Stallion fans felt it too. Something was brewing…
Turning Point: SWO.
Someone close to the program said the measure of success this season would be whether, after the final game, the players were heartbroken it was over — not relieved. I can tell you: this group wants to keep playing. Football is fun again. The hard work is paying off.
Last week, Coach Garvey promised: “It’s coming. I promise you… it’s coming.”
Last night, it arrived. And it’s here to stay.
Saddle up, Stallions.
There’s more football to be played — and we’re going to enjoy every second of it.
Next week, the hunter becomes the hunted as SWO will travel to S. Lenoir as a heavy favorite. The key to victory is 90% mental for the Stallions. Can the Stallions keep focus and keep improving as a heavy favorite? Or will they overlook S. Lenoir, the underdog, and allow them to hang around? Make the trip up highway 258 next week and see for yourselves!
Game Summary:
Stallions receive kickoff and go nowhere. 3 and out. Punt to HT.
Escalara recovers Trask fumble at SWO 40
Great drive by the SWO offense. Nice mix of run and pass.
Greene with tough catch over middle
Ton Bolden with a 4 yd td. 6-0 6:04 q1. 2 pt no good
End Q1. SWO-6. HT-0
HT marches down the field exclusively on running plays.
TD Titans. 6:24 q2. PAT is good. SWO-6. HT-7
Isaiah Greene with another gutsy catch and run
SWO first and goal at 6 yard line
Ton Bolden bulls into endzone at the right pylon. TD Stallions!
Jabri Williams with a twisting move up middle for 2 pt conversion.
SWO-14. HT-. 00:31 q2
Ht with long kickoff return to SWO 25.
Questionable call extends half by one second. HT takes advantage and scores.
14-14 at the half
SWO D forces three and out. SWO gets ball near midfield
HT intercepts as their own 25 and returns to SWO 35
Stallion D gets huge stop on fourth down at SWO 25
Tempers flaring. Accusations flying. Penalty flags thrown.
SWO with inspired drive down the field. Burning clock. First and goal as Q3 ends.
Stallions facing 4th and goal at 3 as 4th qtr begins
Ton Bolden power into endzone! Pat good. SWO-21. HT-14 11:56 q4
Teams trading punts.
Another incredible 4th down stop by the Stallion D gets SWO 24. 2:51 remaining
SWO grinding out yardage and burns out remaining time!
VICTORY FORMATION for SWO! SWO-21. HT-14
