Thursday, April 8th, 2021 will forever be a night to remember. Davie High faced the West Forsyth Titans in the War Eagles’ final game of the regular season, ultimately clinching a 36-35 victory in overtime. It was senior night, and this game was bittersweet for many of the participating students. The Davie High football team, marching band, cheer, and Dancing Boots were saying goodbye to their senior members.
One of those seniors was Abby Hicks, a fourth-year member of the Davie High Cheer team. Abby said that after last year’s hard-fought win against the Titans, she knew this game would be a huge fight, but that “the Davie County football team was prepared for an epic game and all the cheerleaders were jumping up and down and cheering for the boys.”
The excitement of the night was fueled when the first drive of the game resulted in back-to-back first downs by Brodie Smith and Tate Carney, followed by a completed pass from Alex Summers to Jack Reynolds for the first touchdown of the night! The PAT by Willie Moure was good, putting the War Eagles on the board first; 7-0.
Davie’s defense quickly shut down West Forsyth’s first drive, with a huge stop by Justin Hayes bringing out the fourth down and forcing the Titans to punt from the 50-yard line.
Davie County’s second touchdown was a speedy 65-yard run by Brodie Smith on a hand-off from Alex Summers. The PAT by Willie Moure was good, and this impressive play by the Sophomore running back brought the score to 14-0 with 4:51 left in the first quarter.
To end the first quarter, defensive lineman Gage Recktenwald had one of his several major stops for the War Eagles, resulting in a 4th down. West elected not to punt, and the pass was broken up by cornerback Justus Tatum. Davie took possession of the ball on downs at the 30-yard line.
In the second quarter, West finally broke through Davie’s defense for their first touchdown of the game. The PAT was good, bringing the score to 14-7.
Davie quickly answered with Alex Summers’s pass to Brodie Smith, leaving the War Eagles less than 10 yards from the endzone. Summers continued to gain yardage with a QB keeper for 2nd and goal with only 2 yards left to score. Finally, Tate Carney ran the ball into the endzone. Touchdown, Davie County. The PAT by Willie Moure was good. Davie 21, West 14 would remain the score to end the half.
West Forsyth scored the only points of the 3rd quarter. Davie entered the fourth with only a 7 point lead.
The fourth quarter started off quickly with another 7 points for West Forsyth. The game was tied at 21, keeping the War Eagles and everyone in the stands on their toes.
Things took a turn for the worse with five minutes left in the game. West Forsyth scored another touchdown, the PAT was good, and the Titans took the lead.
Tired but still fighting, Tate Carney’s pass to Zaharee Maddox was complete for a long running touchdown. The PAT by Willie Moure was good, and the War Eagles tied the game with just over four minutes remaining.
West Forsyth took possession of the ball, but the War Eagles breathed a sigh of relief with a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Mason Shermer. Davie took over at the West 42 yard line.
Almost immediately after, Alex Summers’s pass intended for Jack Reynolds was intercepted. West took over on Davie’s 46-yard line with only two minutes remaining on the clock.
Davie’s defense stopped several attempts at a first down by West Forsyth, and the game clock ran out.
In overtime, Davie won the coin toss and chose to play defense first.
With tensions high in the stadium, play started on the 10-yard line. West Forsyth scored on their first attempt. The home side was almost silent, but Davie had a chance to respond.
After a struggle to gain yardage, Alex Summers passed to Zaharee Maddox as one last attempt to tie the game. The pass was complete for a touchdown. Davie decided to take a risk and go for a two-point conversion to take the lead and the win. With fans roaring in the stands, Zymere Hudson caught the ball in the endzone for a victory over the West Forsyth Titans!
The win against our biggest rival couldn’t have been a better way to end the night. Jack Reynolds, a wide receiver for the War Eagles, expressed how many seniors are feeling right now. “I wouldn’t have wanted to spend four years at any other high school. Not only the sports, but the environment of Davie County made these four years great, and I wish I could start all over again.”
