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Youth Sync
welcome to ... Youth Sync A regular section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.
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Northwest Guilford Vikings lose quarterback Tanner Ballou to a broken wrist, but adjust as they prepare for this Friday night’s third-round game of the state playoffs
Photo courtesy of Wayne Phillips
by CHRIS BURRITT
NW GUILFORD – When Northwest Guilford High School’s football team travels to Weddington High School this coming Friday night, quarterback Tanner Ballou will be on the sidelines with a broken wrist.
The junior leader suffered the injury in the first quarter of last week’s game against Watauga High School. Wide receiver Bristol Carter stepped in as quarterback, leading the Vikings to victory and propelling them into the third round of the state Class 4A playoffs.
Coach Kevin Wallace is counting on Carter and running back Mike Godette to bring strong offensive performances against Weddington. Clearing the way 36 NOV. 17 - 30, 2022 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996
for the runners will be an offensive line that’s playing together for a second straight season.
Linebackers Andrew Dover and Ryan Debow and defensive end Connor Balton are leading Northwest’s defense against the high-scoring Warriors.
Both teams are riding winning streaks – Northwest at seven and Weddington at 11 – after recovering from early-season losses.
In the season opener on Aug. 19, the Vikings lost to East Forsyth High School 49-38. The team fell too far behind in the first half to catch up in the second half despite a comeback bid, Wallace said.
After that loss, the team “clicked from then on,” the coach said in an interview earlier this week.
“Our kids believed they could get it done. at was the biggest thing,” he said.
After three wins, Northwest lost a second game Sept. 23 to another highly
to Weddington High School this
Northwest High School Vikings football team celebrates after defeating Watauga High School 33-27 on Nov. 11 in NCHSAA’s second-round the sidelines with a broken wrist. 4A state playoff game (West division). The Vikings, 10-2, will travel to Matthews this Friday, 7 p.m., to face the Weddington High School Warriors, 11-1, for the third-round state playoff game. the injury in the first quarter of last for the runners will be an offensive line ranked team, falling 55-12 to Grimsley High School. But in the nearly two ranked team, falling 55-12 to Grimsley months and seven games since then, the Vikings have gone undefeated. Now that Northwest has reached the Sweet 16 of the high school playoffs, Wallace said the team recognizes “every playoff game is tough, no matter who we are playing.” “We’ve been in games when we were down and came back; we’ve been up and had to hold on,” Wallace said. “We’re going to go out and give it everything we’ve got.”
