9/12/26
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 58 Dixon - 57 Final: SWO - 58 Dixon - 57.
Photos (courtesy of Kay McCloskey): LINK
Stallion Video Highlights: LINK
Interview – Jon Carter (Sr. Kicker): LINK
Interview – Ton Bolden (Sr. RB): LINK
Interview – Head Coach Zach Garvey: LINK
Some games simply mean more than others. When we lose a tough one — like the Richlands game — we try to play it down and say, “It’s only one game.” But I’m convinced that that loss played a significant role in our second loss. The Richlands defeat hurt more than a normal setback.
On the flip side… we have last night.
If ever a game meant more, this was it. What an incredible, mind‑boggling, thrilling, and downright relief‑giving win! A comeback from 13 points down with barely a minute to play. A game with more momentum swings than an amusement park ride. Yes indeed… some games just mean more. And this one truly feels like the kind of win that can set the tone for the entire season — and the program as a whole.
Before kickoff, one of the big questions floating around was whether these young Stallions knew how to win. It wasn’t a criticism — just an honest question. When the game is on the line, do they expect good things to happen? Or does dread creep in, whispering Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”?
I’ll confess… at halftime, I used the term “Murphy’s Law” myself. I even thought of The Bad News Bears (anyone remember that movie?). It felt like we were snake‑bitten. Two fumbles deep in Dixon territory. A muffed “watermelon” kickoff. All three leading directly to Dixon touchdowns. Meanwhile, Dixon put the ball on the turf at least four times, and every bounce seemed to land right back in their hands. Doggone it — we just couldn’t catch a break.
When Dixon opened up a 17‑point lead early in the third quarter, it truly felt like the game was slipping away. If we couldn’t stop Dixon, how could we possibly erase a three‑score deficit? But the Stallions didn’t give up. Slowly but surely, they kept pace, chipped away, and eventually pulled even at 44–44 with 10:45 left to play.
Then Dixon rallied again — two straight touchdowns to go up 13 with just over a minute remaining. The fat lady wasn’t singing yet, but she was definitely warming up her vocal cords. This game had “Dixon W” written all over it.
But I guess the weather forecasters — who issued that lightning alert earlier in the evening — were right. Because lightning did strike.
The Stallions found a way.
Indeed… the Stallions do know how to win.
Everything is chronicled below so I won’t restate it here. But let me just say this...
I’m so proud of this team. They can frustrate me (and you, I’m sure) at times, but they didn’t quit. They found a way. And now they know the way. It’s time to follow that way back to football prominence.
Big Players Make Big Plays in Big Games
Here are the Stallions that out to me last night:
SWO Coaches
Coach Zach Garvey — oh my gosh. What an incredible job you’ve done. So much adversity. So much “non‑football” chaos to juggle. The average fan has no idea what a high school head coach deals with on a week-to-week basis.
Just two weeks ago, you had the foresight to seek advice on changing your offensive philosophy. Then, in three days, you implemented a new offense before Croatan — and it showed promise. Last night?
58 points. 391 yards of offense. 347 on the ground.
A perfectly timed mix of passes.
In your own words, you were a “tyrant” this week — and clearly, the tough‑love approach worked. The players love you, respect you, and laid it all on the line for you and SWO.
Congratulations — now keep it rolling.
Ton Bolden
One of the finest performances I’ve ever seen from a running back.
29 carries, 275 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 two‑point conversions.
Ton is the heart and soul of this team — and an exceptional young man.
Judah Clyde
Provided strong, dependable running all night. He doesn’t seek the limelight, Judah just quietly delivers. A true team player.
THE ENTIRE OFFENSIVE LINE
Ton and Judah don’t explode without the big guys up front. The rushing attack these past two weeks has been reminiscent of the glory days of Stallion Football.
Football truth: It all starts up front.
Zaire Brown
Trenton Mungavin
Declan Edmonds
Dimas Henriquez
Quinten Counts
Davion Cephus
The growth in our senior QB has been phenomenal. Great decision‑making, great passing, and as a DB, he made the game‑saving pass breakup on Dixon’s final fourth‑down attempt.
QB1 played like a leader.
Jon Carter
Talk about growth and resiliency. Jon struggled early in the season but has bounced back in a huge way. Perfect on PATs. Multiple deep kickoffs. And most importantly — the perfect onside kick that gave the Stallions the chance they needed.
Demarre Hill
His scoop‑and‑score on Dixon’s watermelon kickoff with 1:08 left sent Stallion fans into absolute euphoria.
Mason Houze
For two straight weeks, Mason has stepped up big. Crucial receptions. Big hits on kick coverage. And most importantly — he recovered the onside kick that kept the miracle alive.
Fantastic job.
What Must Improve
Tackling.
Something has slipped these past two weeks. Croatan and Dixon both present tough, unique challenges for a defense. But Dixon had far too many yards after contact. Too much grabbing, hanging on, and getting dragged. It’s time to bring the hammer.
Hit.
Wrap.
Drive.
Take him to the ground.
I want to see a shutout vs. White Oak. Next week, I want to write glowingly about you like I did about the Stallion offense this week.
GO STALLIONS!!!
#OnceaStallionAlwaysaStallion
Play‑by‑Play: Southwest Onslow Stallions vs. Dixon Bulldogs
Pregame
1st Quarter
Opening Drive:
Southwest pounds the ball on the ground with an extremely impressive opening drive, but fumbles at the Dixon 13-yard line with 10:20 left in the first quarter.
A Stallion penalty gives Dixon a free third down.
The Bulldogs makes SWO pay, ripping off a 68-yard touchdown run on a counter play up the middle.
Dixon converts the two‑point try.
Dixon 8, SWO 0 — 7:58 left in Q1.
Stallions answer with another strong ground‑based drive.
Judah Clyde finishes it off from 4 yards out for the TD!
Jon Carter adds the PAT.
Dixon 8, SWO 7 — 5:00 left in Q1.
Near midfield, the Stallion defense delivers a big hit.
The ball comes loose and Konnor Jones recovers, giving Southwest excellent field position at midfield.
Ton Bolden powers through the right side of the Dixon defense, scoring from 15 yards out.
Carter’s PAT is good.
End of 1st Quarter: SWO 14, Dixon 8.
2nd Quarter
Carter kicks Dixon deep, and Mason Houze makes another strong special‑teams tackle, pinning the Bulldogs deep.
Stallions have Dixon in 3rd-and-17, but a blown coverage allows an easy Dixon touchdown pass.
Dixon converts another two‑point try.
Dixon 16, SWO 14 — 6:48 left in Q2.
Stallions respond quickly:
A long pass from Cephus to Houze, followed by Ton Bolden punching it in from the 1-yard line.
Carter stays perfect: 3-for-3 on PATs.
SWO 21, Dixon 16 — 6:07 left in Q2.
Dixon answers immediately after a big kickoff return and a 15-yard Stallion penalty.
Three plays later, their counter play strikes again for a touchdown.
Stallion defense comes up big, stopping the two‑point conversion.
Dixon 22, SWO 21 — 5:44 left in Q2.
Dixon has been using an unorthodox “watermelon” kickoff all night.
It finally pays off as the Stallions muff the kick and Dixon recovers near midfield with 5:42 left in the half.
Dixon marches down the field with ease.
Touchdown + two‑point conversion.
Dixon 30, SWO 21 — 4:48 left in Q2.
Stallions move the ball again, but fumble at the Dixon 22, giving the Bulldogs another chance with 2:28 left.
Stallion defense holds and keeps Dixon off the board.
Halftime Score:
Dixon 30, SWO 21
First‑Half Notes:
Southwest essentially has three turnovers (two fumbles deep in Dixon territory + the muffed kickoff), all leading to Dixon points.
Dixon put the ball on the turf at least six times but lost only one.
Stallion tackling has been inconsistent.
3rd Quarter
Dixon opens the half with a huge kick return to the Stallion 18-yard line
Dixon scores quickly; Stallion defense offers little resistance.
Touchdown + two‑point conversion.
Dixon 38, SWO 21 — 11:06 left in Q3.
Stallion offense isn’t done.
Ton Bolden leads the drive, scoring the touchdown and the two‑point conversion (from the 13-yard line due to a holding penalty).
Dixon 38, SWO 29 — 9:03 left in Q3.
The track meet continues.
Dixon powers down the field again for another touchdown.
Two‑point try is no good.
Dixon 44, SWO 29 — 5:07 left in Q3.
Stallion offense remains unstoppable.
Ton Bolden is a true thoroughbred, scoring another touchdown and adding the two‑point conversion.
Dixon 44, SWO 37 — 2:52 left in Q3.
4th Quarter
Huge swing in momentum! Dixon surprisingly goes for it on 4th-and-5 from their own 21-yard line. Stallions stuff the play and take over deep in Bulldog territory!
Ton Bolden scores from 10 yards out.
Tie game: 44–44 — 10:45 left in Q4.
Dixon doesn’t flinch.
They march down the field on the ground and score again.
Two‑point try is stopped.
Dixon 50, SWO 44 — 7:50 left.
On the next Stallion drive, a 10-yard holding penalty puts them behind the sticks.
Facing 4th-and-5 at the Dixon 32, they cannot convert.
Dixon takes over with 4:21 left, up six.
Dixon scores again with 1:17 remaining.
They kick their first PAT of the night.
Dixon 57, SWO 44 — 1:17 left.
Demarre Hill scoops up the watermelon kick and returns it all the way for a touchdown!!!
Stallions go for two; Ton Bolden is stopped just short.
Dixon 57, SWO 50 — 1:08 left.
Onside kick coming… and Carter delivers a perfect on!
Mason Houze recovers.
Stallions have life with 1:06 left.
Ton Bolden breaks loose for a 60-yard touchdown run, pulling the Stallions within one.
Dixon 57, SWO 56 — 46 seconds left.
Bolden, hit by multiple Dixon defenders, refuses to be denied and powers in for the two‑point conversion!!!
SWO 58, Dixon 57 — 46.7 seconds left.
Dixon with a trick play that nearly works but the receiver drops a sure TD!
Dixon faces 4th-and-6 from their own 41 with 7.6 seconds left.
Timeout. Everything comes down to one play.
Davion Cephus breaks up the pass on fourth down!!! There bedlam and jubilation along the Stallion sideline!!
Stallions take over at midfield with 3.2 seconds left.
One kneel‑down ends it.
Final Score:
Southwest Onslow 58, Dixon 57
The scoreboard goes dark quickly — but it can’t hide the fact that the Stallions pulled off an unbelievable comeback victory.
