This spring season, the Northwood Charger Varsity Football Team has 48 players on the roster and seven coaches in total, one of them being Head Coach Cullen Homolka.
The team started their season with an advantage, winning their first away game against Cedar Ridge on Thursday, Feb. 25, with a score of 42-0. The following week, the team played against Chapel Hill on March 5, with a winning score of 7-6. Friday, March 19, Northwood challenged Southern Durham at home but lost with a score of 33-23. The next week Northwood left the field victorious, scoring 10-7 against Orange.
April 1 was an eventful day for the Chargers. Along with losing a home game against Panther Creek with a score of 30-10, Northwood also won an away game against Vance County by forfeit. The Northwood vs. Panther Creek away game was the only non-conference game of the season, as it was not included in the league games. The last conference home game that sent Northwood to the playoffs was Thursday, April 8. The team played Northern Durham and prevailed with a score 44-12.
After winning five out of seven games (71%) of the season, with six of those games being a part of the league, Northwood’s Varsity Football Team successfully entered the 2020-2021 playoffs.
Playing right tackle on the field, senior Alexander Smith explained to The Omniscient how Northwood football has prepared for the playoffs.
“We’ve been working on trying to iron out the mistakes we’ve previously made, and figuring out how to make certain plays better,” Smith said. “I feel a little nervous about the upcoming playoff games, but I’m also excited about getting to play more football, and hopefully beating more teams.”
The first playoff game took place at Northwood April 16 against West Carteret High School. Northwood defeated West Carteret 17-0. As they advance through the rest of the playoffs, Northwood will play against Havelock High School on April 23. Havelock currently has two students committed to UNC-Chapel Hill. If Northwood can prevail and win the game on April 23, they will be qualified for Regionals.
Coach Homolka shared his thoughts with The Omniscient about Northwood advancing in the playoffs.
“I feel our kids are playing great playoff football right now,” Homolka said. “They are focused and locked in to the task at hand. They are not looking ahead to the next opponent and are taking the playoffs one practice at a time. They are worrying about the little details that will get them to the next round.”
Senior Christopher Poston is excited to participate in the playoffs this year, and plays defensive tackle on the team.
“As a senior I know that if we lose it will be my last game of high school football,” Poston said. “That pressure truly motivates me to play my best and pushes the team as well. These games are extremely important to us because it gives us the opportunity to establish a winning culture for the years to come.”
To purchase tickets for the football game on April 23 and other sporting events the Chargers will participate in, visit the gofan website for more information.
Graphic by Ella Sullivan.
