10/10/26
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 30 Pender - 28. Final: SWO - 30 Pender - 28
Stallion Video Highlights: LINK
Photos (Courtesy of Kay McCloskey): LINK
Interview – Zach Garvey: LINK
Interview – Eli Williams: LINK
Interview – Jon Carter: LINK
And just like that… after six games of slow yet steady growth, the Stallions finally put it all together and became a complete T‑E‑A‑M!
Playing their best overall football in several years, SWO not only overcame a halftime deficit, but rallied again in the fourth quarter to regain the lead for good. The result: a heart‑pounding, thrilling, and critically important 30–28 win over the Pender Patriots.
Friday night marked our first true road game of the season. (Richlands and Dixon are practically in our backyard so they don’t count as “road” games). True to tradition, we held our first pregame tailgate of the year, and it was fantastic. Maybe it was an omen. And hey — next time you see us tailgating, stop by and say hello. You’re welcome to eat with us too. Just remember: BYOFC — Bring Your Own Fried Chicken. Because if you try to take my piece, you might lose a finger. Just sayin’.
Pender has a nice campus and football complex, and their fans were friendly and helpful — always a bonus on the road. Their team is solid, and their quarterback in particular was elusive and gave us fits, especially in the first half.
The Stallion coaching staff was missing a key member due to family reasons, so the remaining coaches had to adjust and take on extra responsibilities. Props to the entire staff — and especially Coach Garvey.
And I would be remiss not to mention the Stallion faithful who made the trip to the suburbs of Burgaw. Your support was loud, proud, and energizing. Case in point: late in the game, when you began chanting “DEFENSE! DEFENSE!”, the sideline joined in. You made a difference.
The Game
The Stallions started with a bang. A strong kickoff return set SWO up near midfield, and on the very first play from scrimmage, QB Davion Cephus hit WR Demarre Hill on a swing pass that Hill took to the house. Fifteen seconds in, and the Stallions already led 7–0.
The rest of the first half was back‑and‑forth. Pender’s quarterback — small, quick, and slippery — caused problems. By halftime, the Patriots had pulled ahead 20–13. From my perspective, we played “okay.” Not terrible, but not up to our potential. A few missed tackles on defense. And a few missed opportunities on offense. The big question: What adjustments would we make? And with what attitude would we return to the field?
With Pender set to receive the second‑half kickoff, the situation felt eerily similar to last week vs. East Duplin — a game where we were still in it at halftime but fell apart in the third quarter. Would history repeat itself?
The answer was a resounding NOOOOOOOO!
As I said earlier, the second half was the best overall football the Stallions have played in several years. Special teams, offense, and especially defense were outstanding!
Special Teams: Carter in the Clutch
Senior kicker Jon Carter delivered a game‑winning 25‑yard field goal from the left hash with 2:50 remaining. The pressure was high — Carter was higher.
But Carter wasn’t the only special teams hero. On two PATs, the snap was high and holder Davion Cephus made terrific plays to secure the ball and get it down cleanly. Not coincidentally, our margin of victory was two points. Little things make BIG differences.
Offense: Diversity and Big Plays
The Stallion offense spread the ball around beautifully. Yes, we rely heavily on our thoroughbred Ton Bolden, who delivered again with a long TD run in the third quarter. But it was refreshing to see others reach the end zone — Demarre Hill, Judah Clyde, and the jaw‑dropping TD by Eli Williams that put SWO ahead 27–20 late in Q3.
Let’s revisit that play. A few minutes earlier, I overheard Coach Garvey say, “I want to run the reverse pass. Let’s go for the TD.” And sure enough, the ball was reversed in the backfield and handed to Judah Clyde near the Pender sideline. I saw Eli breaking free downfield. Judah pulled up to throw. The ball floated in slow motion as the Pender DB leaped — and somehow, Eli won the jump ball, spun upfield, and outran everyone for the final 25 yards. What a play!
Defense: The True Heroes
The real stars of Friday night were the 11 Stallions on defense. That second‑half performance was simply awesome. They played with renewed passion and urgency, bringing back memories of the glory days. No breakdowns. No giving up. No bickering. Smart. Tough. Together.
They held a potent Pender offense to one second‑half touchdown. And the best defensive stand of the season came on Pender’s final possession, pushing them backward to a desperate 4th-and-25 heave that fell harmlessly short. Inspiring.
Looking Ahead
Last week, we talked about how the 2026 schedule was front‑loaded with tough opponents. Now we enter a stretch where, on paper, we’ll be considered the favorites. It will be crucial to see how the Stallions respond when they become the hunted rather than the hunter. Based on Coach Garvey’s post‑game comments, I’m confident he’ll keep the team focused and hungry, regardless of the opponent.
Next up: The big stage and bright lights — back at The Corral.
Southwest High School celebrates its 50‑year anniversary next Friday night, and a huge crowd is expected. It’s a chance for these young Stallions to show the “OG” Stallions that the 2026 team is ready to return SWO Football to prominence. If there’s anyway possible, I urge you to be in attendance and bring back 50 years of enthusiasm and Stallion Pride!
Side Note
Pray for me today. I’ve got to smoke two Boston Butts for a church luncheon tomorrow. I’ll be out in the elements for several hours — under a strapped‑down pop‑up tent in 25–30 mph winds and several inches of rain. If you thought last night’s game was nerve‑racking, come join me in the smoke (and wind and rain). I might need to borrow a few Stallion players to hold down the tent!
GO STALLIONS! #OnceAStallionAlwaysAStallion
Play‑by‑Play: Southwest Onslow Stallions vs. Pender Patriots
1st Quarter
Pender wins the coin toss and defers to the second half.
Southwest receives the opening kickoff and returns it nicely out to the 48-yard line.
On the first offensive play, Davion Cephus hits Demarre Hill for a 48-yard touchdown!
Stallions lead 7–0 with 11:43 left in Q1.
Pender responds with a strong drive. Their quarterback proves elusive, giving the Stallion defense trouble.
Southwest stops the Patriots’ two‑point attempt.
Stallions lead 7–6 with 8:00 left in Q1.
Another good kick return sets the Stallions up with strong field position.
On 3rd-and-18, Cephus hits Williams for a first down at the Pender 30-yard line.
Judah Clyde scores on the drive, with strong runs from Quan Bacon and Clyde
Two‑point try is stopped short.
Stallions lead 13–6 with 3:13 left in Q1.
First big break of the game: Pender fumbles at midfield, recovered by #66 Kayden Clark.
But momentum flips quickly as the Stallions throw an interception, returned to midfield with 2:31 left.
On 4th-and-9, Keis Howard breaks up a pass, giving Southwest the ball as the quarter ends.
End of 1st Quarter:
Southwest 13, Pender 6
2nd Quarter
Pender converts 4th-and-4 at the Stallion 20, then hits a beautiful throw to the end zone for a touchdown.
Keis Howard stops the two‑point attempt.
Stallions lead 13–12 with 5:31 left in Q2.
Pender surprises Southwest with an onside kick and recovers at the Stallion 45.
A 30‑yard quarterback keeper around the right side gives Pender another touchdown.
They add the two‑point conversion.
Pender leads 20–13 with 4:18 left in Q2.
Stallions go three‑and‑out and punt.
Pender takes over at the Stallion 35 with 2:53 left.
With 1:57 left, Pender faces 4th-and-5 at the Stallion 28.
Timeout.
Fourth‑down pass falls incomplete.
Stallions take over at their own 28 with 1:52 left.
Southwest moves the ball but runs out of time as the half closes.
Halftime:
Pender 20, Southwest 13
3rd Quarter
Pender receives the second‑half kickoff.
Big series needed for the Stallion defense.
Southwest’s defense shows fire, forcing a three‑and‑out.
Stallions take over at their own 30.
Ton Bolden breaks loose for a 50-yard touchdown with 3:52 left in Q3.
Carter hits the PAT.
Game tied 20–20.
Nice job by Cephus securing the snap on the PAT
Inspired Stallion defense forces another three‑and‑out, giving the offense the ball near their own 40.
Southwest pulls off a trick play: a reverse pass from Judah Clyde to Eli Williams for a 60-yard touchdown.
Carter hits the PAT.
Stallions lead 27–20 with 1:03 left in Q3.
End of 3rd Quarter:
Southwest 27, Pender 20
Pender faces 4th-and-3 at their own 34 when play resumes.
4th Quarter
Pender converts the 4th-and-3, earning a new set of downs at their own 37.
Stallion defense stiffens and forces a punt from the Pender 34.
Southwest takes over at their own 35 with 9:34 left.
Stallions face 4th-and-1 at their own 45 and elect to go for it.
They do not convert.
Pender takes over with great field position, trailing by seven, with 7:50 left.
Pender’s quarterback breaks loose on a wild 50-yard scramble for a touchdown.
They add the two‑point conversion.
Pender leads 28–27 with 6:36 left.
Ton Bolden answers with a huge run down to the Pender 15-yard line with 5:24 remaining.
Jon Carter drills a 25-yard field goal with 2:50 left.
Stallions lead 30–28.
Pender returns the kickoff to midfield with 2:42 left.
Pender’s offense goes backwards, facing 4th-and-25 from their own 33 with 55 seconds left.
Fourth‑down pass falls incomplete.
Stallions take over at the Pender 34 with 58 seconds remaining, leading by two.
Pender has two timeouts left.
Southwest burns the remaining time and secures the victory.
Final Score:
Southwest Onslow 30, Pender 28
