Last Friday, the Davie High War Eagles hosted their first Central Piedmont Conference (CPC) match-up under the Friday night lights, defeating the RJ Reynolds Demons 32-17. The War Eagles fought hard and claimed the victory with a 15-point lead over RJR.

Momentum Builds Early

The game started with the War Eagles kicking off the ball to the Demons. Within the first few minutes, the War Eagles blocked the punt from R.J. Reynolds and junior Dylan Miller tackled the Demons in their end zone, netting 2 points for Davie. 

“Our guys missed a couple of tackles,” Miller said. “I was in the right place to clean it up.”

R.J. Reynolds kicked the ball with junior Gavin Reese deep to receive. Reese made an 85-yard touchdown from the kick return that scored Davie’s first touchdown of the night. The team and the fans cheered as they got more excited for the win they could sense against the Demons. 

“I caught the ball, I looked up and scanned the field, and I had a huge hole. I could feel it collapsing, but luckily I was fast enough to get out of there and score the touchdown,” Reese said. “The offense was slow to start, so it helped carry some momentum into the second half.” 

The slow start to the offense capped the War Eagles at 9 points for the majority of the second quarter as Reynolds responded with two touchdowns of their own from seniors John Murphy and Joe Crowley. After many turnovers in possession between the War Eagles and the Demons, freshman quarterback Draeton Nance threw a 10-yard pass to junior Dallas Simms in the endzone. Nance ended the first half with a 2-point conversion that tied Davie and R.J. Reynolds 17-17. 

Halftime Festivities

During halftime, the Davie High Marching Band debuted their versions of “Old Town Road”, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, and “9 to 5”, which featured solos from Silas Marrion, Will Hedrick, Barret Taylor, and Paul Lynch. While “9 to 5” was played the Davie High Dancing Boots debuted their halftime routine. This was also the 8th-grade night for the Marching Band, which gave eighth graders from North Davie, South Davie, and Ellis the opportunity to perform during the first half of the game and on “9 to 5”. 

Along with 8th-grade night for the Marching Band, it was little league night for the elementary school cheerleaders and football teams. The elementary school football players and cheerleaders had the opportunity to walk along the track before the game started, and the fans cheered them on. The elementary school cheerleaders got to perform stunts, cheers, and dances and showed off their tumbling skills with Davie’s cheerleaders.

Breaking the Tie

Right as the third quarter began, the War Eagles returned to the field ready to push for a comeback. Nance handed off the ball to sophomore Braxton Bowling who made a 6-yard rushing touchdown into the endzone to break the tie against the Demons. 

“It felt good,” Bowling said of breaking the tie. “The whole team makes it more exciting, makes it more fun to play in, and a more enjoyable experience.”

The team and the Davie Crazies were thrilled by the lead. The crazies screamed in support and anticipation when the tie was broken. With a newfound optimism for the game with the lead against the Demons, the crazies added to the joyful atmosphere, encouraging the players on the field to gain the lead. The student section showed up for their team by dressing up and matching the themes to screaming players’ names. 

“Breaking the 17-17 tie was a big momentum shift in the game,” senior Carson Queen states. “I was just excited we were finally winning.”

Continuing to connect on the field after a week of breaking records, Nance threw a 35-yard pass to junior Ethan Driver who ran into the endzone to complete a touchdown. 

“We have a great connection off the field,” Nance states. “When we go on the field, it’s nothing different.”

Within the last two minutes of the third quarter, the War Eagles kicked a field goal that brought the score to 32-17. This field goal marked the final points scored in the game as the fourth quarter was marked by interceptions on both sides of the field and scoreless runs from both teams. 

When the clock hit zero, the War Eagles emerged triumphant and “Protected the Nest.” The team now looks to maintain this momentum as they travel to face the East Forsyth Eagles this Thursday.