This Region 3 AAAAAAA matchup was a tight game between North Cobb and North Paulding, with regional seeding for the Georgia High School State playoffs on the line. The North Paulding Wolf Pack scored first in the game on a Marcus Nier dart to Kingslee Simpson in the back middle of the endzone to take an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Wolf Pack defense held the Warriors’ rushing attack in check behind defensive lineman Wesley Rakestraw, controlling the Warriors’ rushing lanes with rushing gaps. In the second quarter, Warriors running back Zach Belyeu scored on a 66-yard rushing touchdown off the right side of the offense to tie the game 7-7. The game was tied at halftime, 10-10. The Warriors and Wolves’ offenses continued to struggle throughout the game because of the penalties called on both teams.
The Warriors of North Cobb were able to establish their two-headed rushing attack with Arquevious Echols and Zach Belyeu. Zach Belyeu rushed the ball 10 times for 170 yards with two touchdowns for the night. The Warriors forced the Wolves to turn the ball over three times in the second half, which was pivotal to the outcome of the game, because Keegan Vayens kept pressure on Wolves quarterback Tyler Niehr coming off the edge of the defense. There was a questionable call late in the third quarter when Wolfpack quarterback Tyler Niehr threw a pass to Kingslee Simpson, who was able to break out of a tackle and run it in for a touchdown, which was called back for a flag that was thrown for offensive pass interference by a Wolfpack player.
On the ensuing play, Wolfpack quarterback Tyler Niehr was intercepted by Marcus Singleton, which ricocheted off a Wolves receiver, and returned to the 4-yard line. Warriors running back Zach Belyeu scored his second touchdown of the night, making the score 17-10 in the third quarter.
The Wolfpack’s defense stopped the Warriors’ offense, forcing them to punt. The returner muffed the punt, which was recovered by the Warriors around the 20-yard line, giving them good field possession to score points and extend their lead on an Arquevious Echols rushing touchdown, making the score 24-10. The Wolfpack fought back down 14 points in the fourth quarter, scoring on a Tyler Niehr touchdown pass to his brother Bryson Niehr, cutting the Warriors’ lead to 7 points, making the score 24-17.
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The Warriors tried to run out the clock, rushing Echols and Belyeu, but the Wolfpack defense stood strong, forcing the Warriors into a passing situation. The Wolfpack defense was able to force a fumble and recover, allowing their offense to tie the score with under a minute left in the game. Wolfpack quarterback missed his receiver, throwing his second interception of the game to Marcus Singleton. Wolfpack quarterback Marcus Nier completed 21 of 28 passes for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. North Cobb plays their next game on 10/10 against Marietta High School, and North Paulding plays Etowah High School on 10/3.