Southwest High School

10/25/25
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 14. South Lenoir – 8.

SWO - 14. S. Lenior – 8.

Photos (courtesy of Kay McCloskey): LINK

Highlights, Interviews & More: LINK

Growing up in the Southwest Community (Greencrest Circle), we didn’t know what “Political Correctness” was. Back then, our childhoods were filled with mostly harmless jokes that today might raise a few eyebrows. One of the most infamous? The “You’s so ugly” roast. Remember those?

You’s so ugly, the doctor should’ve slapped yo mama!

You’s so ugly, I’d have to tie a pork chop around your neck to get the dog to play with you!

You’s so ugly, your birth certificate is an apology letter!

Well, here’s a new one for the archives:

You’s so ugly, you look like the SWO vs. S. Lenoir game!

U-G-L-Y! You ain’t got no alibi! You ugly! Hey, hey, you ugly!

(A classic cheer that’s sadly fallen out of fashion.)

But here’s the thing: I checked the MaxPreps scoreboard this morning, and nowhere in the country did I see a result labeled “WU” (Win Ugly) or “WP” (Win Pretty). Just one letter matters — W. And that’s what stood next to the Stallions’ score. A win is a win is a win. That’s two in a row for SWO!

It’s a crisp, beautiful fall Saturday morning — the kind that always feels a little brighter after a Stallion victory. Last night in Deep Run, NC, the vibes were perfect. Tailgating in the parking lot is becoming a cherished away-game tradition, and everything felt primed for a blowout.

First Half: Strong Start, Missed Chances

SWO won the toss and deferred. The defense held strong on the opening possession, stopping S. Lenoir on 4th down at the 25-yard line. The offense responded with a methodical drive capped by “Ton” Bolden powering in for a touchdown. Jakell Howard added the 2-point conversion, and SWO led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter

Late in the second quarter, a missed opportunity kept the score from growing. At halftime, players, coaches, and fans alike felt the lead should’ve been bigger. Even the S. Lenoir chain crew muttered, “Only 8-0? Feels like it should be 40-0.” No one disagreed.

Third Quarter: Chaos and Controversy

SWO opened the second half with the ball, and expectations were high. But what followed was one of the most bizarre quarters of football I’ve ever witnessed. The third quarter was a trainwreck — not just in play, but in officiating. It felt like football had been set back 20 years.

To put it in perspective: I donated blood just hours before the game. By the third quarter, I checked my arm to make sure they hadn’t left the needle in. I half expected to see a pool of crimson on the ground — that’s how drained I felt watching the chaos unfold; like my football life blood was being drained away.

Yes, SWO made mistakes. So did SL. But the real issue was the flag fest from the officials — confusion, delays, and head-scratching decisions galore. I respect how hard officiating is, and I know refs take too much heat. But this? This was rough. One official did help restore some sanity with clear calls and explanations, but overall? I can’t say what I’m thinking.

Unofficial Penalty Stats:

SWO: 17 penalties for 210 yards

SL: 14 penalties for 155 yards

Absolutely absurd.

The flags slowed in the fourth, but the rhythm was gone. SWO still led 8-0 and was deep in the red zone with 6:33 left. But after turning it over on downs at the 2-yard line, SL escaped a near safety and — aided by a phantom face mask call — drove 98 yards to tie the game at 8-8 with 1:11 remaining.

SL then attempted a baffling onside kick, giving SWO great field position. But a late interception sent the game to overtime.

SL won the toss and made SWO go first. The Stallions ground out short gains, and on 4th-and-goal from the 2, Coach Garvey went for it. OC Andrew McLeod put the ball in the hands of his playmaker, “Ton” Bolden, who bulldozed in for the go-ahead score. PAT no good. SWO led 14-8.

SL’s turn. On first down, the Stallions dropped them for a 7-yard loss. Two plays later, senior MLB Landon Marshburn stripped the ball, and Josh Holder pounced on it to seal the win!

Behind the Scenes

QB Shift: Trestin “Ton” Bolden took over at quarterback, with Davion Cephus moving to wide receiver. I love this move. Bolden is our most dangerous and consistent playmaker, and Cephus is a talented athlete with a great attitude. Davion caught a couple of passes and has a bright future at WR.

Injuries: The offense stalled in the second half partly due to injuries. Jabri Williams battled through a lower-body issue. Jabri fought through pain to provide as many reps as possible. And Jakell Howard — who was running well — exited with an upper-body injury; never to return. Sophomore Judah Clyde stepped up admirably. The young man has a bright future.

Defense: The Stallion D was outstanding, holding SL to just 8 points in an overtime game. Price Corbett made multiple big plays, and Landon Marshburn was a tackling machine — double-digit tackles for the second straight game.

Welcome Back Josh: Senior WR/DB Josh Holder returned after a broken finger and made an impact on both sides of the ball — a long reception, a near pick-six, and the game-sealing fumble recovery.

Next Up: Clinton Dark Horses

Next Friday night, the Clinton Dark Horses come to The Corral for Senior Night. Clinton is a perennial powerhouse, though last year they dipped due to major departures. This season, they’re rebounding. Their record isn’t stellar, but their losses have been close — and they just crushed Heide-Trask 52-21.

I’m not sure where we stand in the playoff hunt, but if we beat Clinton, I believe the 2025 season continues into November. The early weather forecast looks great, and this might be your last chance to see the Stallions at home.

Let’s fill The Corral and support your Southwest Stallions!

Game Summary

SWO wins toss and defers

SWO D gets 4th down stop at SWO 25!

Big run by ton Bolden on third down.

Bolden 4 yard TD on 3rd and goal!

Janell Howard runs in two pt conversion. 8-0 0:42 q1

End

Penalties hurting SWO. Three in a row on third and long give SL first down

D gets stop on fourth at SWO 10!

SWO block in back negates first down at SL 20.

Holder with pick! 56 second left. Long return. Ball at SL 15

Another penalty kills scoring opportunity. 8-0 at half.

SL tries onside kick to open q3. SWO gets ball in great field position Swo 46

Fumble. SL ball

Penalty literally on every play! 4 15 yd penalties against SWO. Most penalties I have ever seen on a single possession

SL fg is blocked! SWO ball on own 25

Offense goes backwards. Punt to SL. Great field position for SL at SWO 36

SL penalties kill their drive and SL punt to SWO 32. End q3

SWO turns it over on downs at SL 2 yard line. 6:33

SL first and goal at 7. 2:45

Fourth and goal on 2. 1:17

TD SL. 8-6. 1:11.

2pt good. 8-8. 1:11. SWO with 2 timeouts

SL tries onside kick again. SWO recovers in good position near midfield

SL intercepts at their 15vyard line. 15 seconds

8-8. End q4

Overtime

SWO gets ball first. Start at 10 yard line

Ton Bolden powers in on 4th down from 2 yards! Pat no good. SWO up 14-8

SL starts at 10.

Loss of 7

Ball stripped by Landon Marshburn!

Josh holder recovers fumble!

Game over!

GO STALLIONS!!!

#OnceAStallionAlwaysAStallion