Final: SWO - 3 NRCA - 23.
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Do you remember how I began my Richlands game article by saying it was “one of those” kinds of games? Well… Friday night at The Corral was, as Yogi Berra would put it, “déjà vu all over again.” Because last night was also “one of those” games — just in a very different way.
It was the kind of game you want to forget entirely. Wipe it from your mind. Don’t waste a single brain cell trying to recall anything about it other than the fact that you never want to experience it again. I’m not sure what the problem was, other than the lingering Hangover Effect from the tough loss at Richlands.
Add in the short turnaround after playing Monday night, and you get… whatever that was. It certainly wasn’t good football. And it definitely wasn’t Stallion Football.
As the game wore on, several people asked me, “What are you going to write about this one?” Truth be told, I felt like I had two choices:
1. Put on the cheerleader uniform and focus on the (few) positives
2. Go full "tough love" and go scorched earth!
After a restless night of sleep, I’ve decided on a new option — call it 1.5 — somewhere between “Keep working and good things will happen!” and “What on earth were you doing out there?”
A Moment of Gratitude
Before diving into the football, I want to express my sincere thanks to retired four‑star General Mike Scaparrotti and his wife, Cindy. For the second year in a row, “Scap” volunteered to speak with the team before the game and participate in the coin toss.
This year’s message focused on the importance of doing the little things correctly — and how mastering the little things leads to achieving the big things. It’s a lesson that applies to football, school, careers, and life. Scap has a genuine passion for helping young people, and he’s even working behind the scenes to help guide at least one young Stallion toward a potential path to West Point.
THANK YOU, SCAP AND CINDY!
Now… the Positives
Special Teams — Major Improvement
Special teams took a big step forward this week, especially the exchange between longsnapper Quinten Counts and kicker Jon Carter. When the first snap went sideways, I thought, “Oh no… here we go again.” But Carter had told me earlier, “Don’t worry. We’ve got this.” And he was right.
From that point on, the operation was nearly flawless. Carter hit a 37‑yard field goal for our only points and narrowly missed a 45‑yarder. A couple of kickoffs went for touchbacks. Nice job, Counts & Carter!
Stallion Defense — Another Strong Performance
The defense once again played well. Not perfectly — a few pass interference calls were legitimate (unlike the Richlands fiasco) — but overall, they handled a sophisticated, diversified Knights offense admirably.
My only critique: too many arm‑tackle attempts, which led to broken tackles. Get back to fundamentals. Wrap and tackle! Remember... It's the little things.
Officiating — Credit Where It’s Due
Last week, I was pretty tough on the officials. This week? They did a very good job. They did not contribute to the Stallions’ struggles. Last night’s wounds were entirely self‑inflicted.
The Bad…
I don’t enjoy discussing negatives, and I truly hope this performance was a one‑week “hangover” from Richlands. But here goes.
1. Effort
The effort simply wasn’t there like it was against Richlands. For the first time in a long while, I was disappointed. Yes, it was a non‑conference game against a team many had never heard of — but you cannot afford to take a night off.
We only get 10 regular‑season games. Each one is 10% of the season. They all matter. NO NIGHTS OFF.
2. Focus
There were far too many mental mistakes. Players — if something doesn’t make sense, ask a coach. Get back to basics. As General Scaparrotti emphasized, success comes from doing the little things right. Last night, we didn’t.
3. Offensive Consistency
We struggle to string together positive plays. Nearly every series included at least one negative play that put us in a hole we couldn’t climb out of.
“Three yards and a cloud of dust” only works when: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = first down. Right now, we’re doing: 3 – 10 + 3 = punt.
We haven’t shown the ability to generate big plays to overcome setbacks, so we have to grind. But you can’t grind when negative plays keep derailing drives. Much of this ties back to effort and focus.
Final Thoughts
I’m not ready to give up — and neither should you. I know the effort exists; I saw it firsthand against Richlands. We can get that back.
As for focus… Stallions, that’s on you. Focus is binary. You either have it or you don’t. You either choose to give an A‑grade effort, or you fail.
Let’s get back to Stallion Football.
GO STALLIONS!!!
#OnceaStallionAlwaysaStallion
Game Recap
1st Quarter
The Stallions receive the opening kickoff but throw an interception on 3rd down. North Raleigh returns it to the 15-yard line.
The Stallion defense responds with a big stand at the 5-yard line. Clark and Torres make key plays during the goal-line stop.
North Raleigh misses the field goal attempt, and the Stallions take over on downs at their own 12-yard line.
The Stallions turn it over again, fumbling at their own 30-yard line.
A breakdown in the Stallion secondary allows North Raleigh to score on a 15-yard touchdown pass. PAT is good. North Raleigh leads 7–0 with 5:47 left in the first quarter.
A miscue by the Stallions on the ensuing possession gives North Raleigh excellent field position at about the Stallion 20-yard line.
North Raleigh has an errant snap on a field goal attempt, resulting in a poor kick. The field goal is no good, and the Stallions catch a break. They still trail 7–0 with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter.
End of 1st Quarter: Stallions have the ball, facing 3rd-and-9 near midfield.
2nd Quarter
The Stallions cannot convert and are forced to punt. Carter gets off a solid kick. North Raleigh returns it to their own 40-yard line.
North Raleigh finds rhythm in the running game, pounding the ball effectively and eventually punching in another touchdown. North Raleigh leads 14–0 with 7:18 left in the second quarter.
The Stallion offense goes three-and-out again. Carter punts to midfield, giving North Raleigh possession with 4:39 left in the half.
A huge play by Keis Howard, who intercepts a pass and returns it deep into North Raleigh territory. Stallions take over at the 18-yard line.
The Stallions cannot move the ball and attempt a 37-yard field goal. Carter drills it. North Raleigh 14, Stallions 3 with 1:46 left in the second quarter.
The Stallions force a punt, but a mental mistake on punt coverage results in a running-into-the-kicker penalty, giving North Raleigh another chance before halftime.
After confusion, the officials wave off the penalty, and the Stallions take over at the North Raleigh 39-yard line with 47 seconds left in the half.
The Stallions cannot capitalize before halftime.
Halftime Score: North Raleigh 14, Stallions 3 North Raleigh will receive the second-half kickoff.
3rd Quarter
The Stallion defense opens the half with a massive stand, stopping North Raleigh on 4th-and-goal inside the 1-yard line. Stallions take over with 7:36 left in the third quarter.
On the next play, the Stallion running back is tackled in the end zone for a safety. North Raleigh leads 16–3 with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter.
North Raleigh capitalizes on the momentum, scoring another touchdown. North Raleigh 23, Stallions 3 with 5:34 left in the third quarter.
Judah Clyde provides a spark with a big kickoff return, giving the Stallions first down just inside midfield.
The Stallions show signs of life as Ton Bolden converts a fourth down, advancing the ball to the North Raleigh 35-yard line.
The offense stalls again. Carter attempts a 45-yard field goal, but it is just barely wide right. Score remains 23–3 with 11:44 left in the game.
The Stallions put together their most impressive drive of the night, but it ends with a fumble at the North Raleigh 15-yard line.
Final Score:
North Raleigh Christian Academy 23, SW Onslow Stallions 3
