On Friday, October 14th, 2022, the War Eagles traveled to West Forsyth to take on the Titans. Davie High fought hard against their across-the-river rivals. The game was a back-and-forth offensively and came down to the wire, but Davie suffered a 34-32 loss.
The game started with Davie receiving the kickoff. A first pass to Evan York gave Davie an early 1st down. After a penalty against the Titans and several yards gained by quarterback Ty Miller, a field goal by Palmer Williams brought the score to 3-0.
A touchback by Williams started West Forsyth on the 20-yard line. A big run was taken down by Mason Shermer and stops by Justin Hayes and Gavin Reese almost shut down the Titans, but a breakthrough run and a pass to the endzone gave West the lead. The score was 7-3 with 5:21 left in the first quarter.
Evan York caught another big pass resulting in a 1st down to begin Davie’s next possession. Markel Summers’ run kept the Eagles moving in the right direction, and another huge pass continued the amazing night for Junior Evan York. Ty Miller on the quarterback keeper, scores the first War Eagle touchdown of the night! The PAT by Williams was good bringing the score to 10-7.
The kickoff was caught on the six-yard line by the Titans. An 82-yard touchdown run, and a good PAT gave the lead back to West Forsyth.
Several runs by Brodie Smith and various penalties on both teams marked the end of the first. A complete pass gave the War Eagles a 1st down, a 2nd and goal after a carry by Summers put Davie in the position to score. A miraculous catch in the endzone by Evan York regained the 17-14 lead for Davie County.
The kickoff was returned on the 31-yard line but sophomore Landon Barber had a fumble recovery to turn the possession over to Davie. After several attempts to gain yards, a bad snap was recovered by West for another change in possession. West was shut down by our defense and was forced to punt to Davie.
After a big catch by Smith, a field goal attempt by Williams was no good and West Forsyth took over on downs.
Eli Branham, Mason Shermer, and Willie Purvis held West Forsyth back, but the ball was run into the endzone for another West Forsyth touchdown. The PAT was good, and yet again, the Titans regained the lead.
With around a minute left in the half, the War Eagles responded strongly with a long pass to Brodie Smith for a War Eagle touchdown. Davie brought the score to 24-21, continuing to fight for the win.
A West Forsyth field goal attempt bounced off the goalpost and brought up the end of the first half.
West Forsyth began the half from the 35-yard line. A sack by Hayes and a stop by Connor Hood stopped West on the 44. A delay of game by West Forsyth resulted in a five-yard penalty and a short punt gave Davie possession.
A carry by Summers, a completed pass by Bryan Argueta, and two runs by Miller gained several yards for the Eagles. Pass interference against West Forsyth resulted in a 15-yard penalty and a 1st down for DC. Another 39-yard field goal attempt by Palmer Williams was no good and West took over on downs from the 22-yard line.
The Titans quickly ran in another touchdown, but the PAT was blocked by Senior Justin Hayes to bring the score to 27-24.
Ty on the quarterback keeper for a 1st down on their 43. Another 1st down by Summers marked the end of the 3rd quarter. After a false start against us, and another first down attempt, the pass was complete to Bryan Argueta, but the ball was turned over on downs.
A huge stop by Jerred Alexander brought up 4th and 9 and forced West to punt to Davie with 7:52 left in the game.
The punt from West went out of bounds on the 44 with 7:43 remaining. A pass was complete to Brodie for 8 yd gain; a fake to Summers resulted in a solid 1st and 10. Summers moved the ball multiple times ending in a 1st down on the 11. The War Eagles drew an offsides penalty on West for 3rd and 6, and a pass interference call against West moved us to 3rd and 3. Miller’s keeper was good for another War Eagle TD. Palmer’s kick brings the score to 27-31 Davie; 4:49 left in the game.
The War Eagle defense continued to be strong with stops by Ethan Silvey, Mason Shermer, and Justin Hayes. But despite their best efforts, West scored again to regain the lead with only 33 seconds left in the game.
Davie made the most of those 33 seconds. Penalties against West gave us a 1st down. A pass to Aidan Froelich brought out another 1st down. With 12 seconds left, Ty’s pass to Brodie was caught but a mid-air tackle brought Brodie down hard forcing him to lose control of the ball. Thankful that Brodie was ok and able to walk off the field unassisted, the War Eagles had one last attempt to score. A complete pass to Aidan Froelich was our last hope, but the Titans were there with an immediate tackle. It was a fun game to watch, but for 2022, the rivalry ended with a West Forsyth victory, 34-32.
The War Eagles will play their next game (the last away game of the season) against Parkland. Please note the location is the Deaton-Thompson Stadium on Old Salisbury Road and not at Parkland High School.
