Friday, September 2nd, the Davie War Eagles traveled to Lexington to face the North Davidson Black Knights. The game was televised on My48, anticipation was high, and Davie County was ready for redemption. This hard-fought game ended with a well-deserved 28-21 victory for Davie County. 

The game began with Davie electing to receive but were unable to move the ball. Following the punt to North Davidson, the impressive blocking by Eli Brannock, Mason Shermer, and Justin Hayes forced the Knights to fight hard for their first touchdown of the game. Davie’s first points of the game came as the punt from North was received at the 33-yard line, and the first play of the possession resulted in a Davie County touchdown on a 67-yard run by Markel Summers and a good PAT kick by Palmer Williams to tie the game 7-7. 

Despite the efforts of wide receivers Aidan Froelich and Brodie Smith, as well as quarterback Ty Miller on Davie’s next possession, the ball was turned over on downs. An interception by Ethan Silvey put Davie County back in control on North Davidson’s 36-yard line, and a first down by Brodie Smith brought the first quarter to an exciting close. 

To begin the second quarter, wide receiver Bryan Argueta kept Davie in possession and moved us to the five-yard line. After several touchdown attempts, a 4th down field goal kick was blocked by the Knights. 

After another turnover on downs, North Davidson was forced to change possession and their 32-yard line. Markel Summers gained a first down. Then a personal foul against the Black Knights gave Davie another 15 yards. A last-chance pass to Brodie Smith was successful, as Davie pulled ahead 14-7 with 9.8 seconds left in the first half. 

Another touchback by Palmer Williams began the second half. Defensive players Willie Purvis, John Stokes, Gavin Reese, and Ethan Silvey held back the Black Knights for most of the third quarter. A 47-yard touchdown pass allowed Davidson to tie the game, but not for long, as Brodie Smith responded with another War Eagle touchdown to bring the score to 21-14. 

After the punt, North Davidson was stopped quickly by junior Defensive Tackle Matty Warner, but not without a first down. But another first and third down allowed the Black Nights a touchdown pass that left the score tied at 21-21 with 30 seconds left in the third. 

With Davie County back in possession, a fair catch by Braddock Coleman at the 30-yard line put the War Eagles in a position to score. After an incomplete pass, an interception turned the ball back over to the Black Knights. The possession didn’t last long as a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct pushed the Knights back to the 41-yard line, and a major stop by Matty Warner ended the play. 

Ty Miller’s pass to wide receiver Brodie Smith led to a long touchdown run, and the score was brought to 28-21 with 6:14 left in the game. Senior captain Brodie Smith had a record-breaking game. He had 10 catches for a total of 192 yards gained, putting him at number 7 on the Davie record list for receiving yards. This is only the 14th game in 68 years with 10 or more catches by a wide receiver. 

Many great defensive plays ended the game. With seconds left, Quarterback Ty Miller takes a knee, and the game ends with a score of 28-21 and the first win for Davie County of the season. 

The War Eagles will have a bye week and return to the field the following week to take on R.J. Reynolds.