Football Fridays in Georgia presented by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

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It saves lives.

As we welcome you for the first time ever to the Den at North Cobb for early season region five 6-A matchup.

As the North Cobb Warriors have come to town to take on the North Paulding, Wolfpack.

And good evening, I'm Matt Stewart, joined by former Auburn Tigers All-American NFL first round draft pick and 15 year pro Wayne Gandy Wang.

Today is September 19.

It's still very early in the season.

Region championship won't be one tonight, but who jumps in the driver's seat to win that region championship could be won tonight.

It's never too early to try to win your region.

You got two capable teams out here on the field.

Two coaches feel like their teams can win this game.

Look for an exciting matchup tonight.

Let's talk about North Cobb.

They're 3-2 on the season.

Early setbacks after they went 10-0 in the regular season last year.

Lost to McEachern.

Self-inflicted loss against Cass.

But the silver lining for the Warriors is they have one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Four star Teddy Jarrard.

He's rated as high as the number 2 quarterback in the country in 2027, and he's committed to Notre Dame.

Headed to South Bend.

This young man has all the measurables.

He's 64.

He's 200 pounds.

He has a big arm.

His coach feels like he's a Sunday type quarterback.

If he keeps progressing, he makes this offense run.

He brings his team up to his level.

They need him to do that tonight.

And when Teddy Touchdown isn't throwing passes, he can turn around and hand it off to one of the top running backs in the country, Zach Ballou, who's rated as high as the number 8 running back in the class of 2028, already has 30 offers, including the Georgia Bulldogs.

511, 210 sophomore.

He has vision, he has size.

He's tough to bring down.

One of the best things about him, he makes this offense click.

They need him to get the ball often early.

He can run over people.

As you can see, his coach feels like he is the next big star at the running back position in the state.

And he's already rushed for over 1,400 yards and 17 career games.

Remember, he's just a tenth grader.

The story for North Paulding.

They're four and one on the season, one setback, a two point loss to undefeated Harrison.

Their other four wins have come by an average of 17 points.

They're averaging 41 points per game, which is seventh best in 6-A football.

And they're led at quarterback by the little big man Tyler Niehr.

Small package, but a huge game.

He is the reason Mr.

Niehr he's smart, he's efficient with the ball and he has a big arm.

He can make plays with his feet.

He spreads the ball around 13 different receivers so far have caught balls nine touchdowns, zero interceptions.

He has to keep that zero interception going tonight.

And Tyler Niehr looking for those offers.

He's under-recruited like his partner over on the defensive side of the ball.

Grant Henderson at defensive end.

He has drawn some interest, though, from Georgia State and Kennesaw State.

Lack some of the measurables that people like to count on.

But what a big game this young man.

Great.

Get off can get after the quarterback going to have to get after Jarrard tonight.

Five sacks on the season.

He has to have a big game in the stopping the run tonight against these two running backs that they bring in here on the other side of the field.

It's North Paulding and North Cobb should be a good one tenth all time meeting.

Last time they were here it was a 12 seven ball game with the Warriors.

Pulled it out and pulled and avoided the upset against the Wolfpack.

Now the third member of our team is John Nelson.

He's down on the field.

Good evening Matt.

Good evening.

Good evening to all of you.

However, you are accessing us, large device or small.

We caught up with head coach Don of North Paulding this week.

He had a bit of a storied career in the state of Florida before he came up here six seasons ago.

I asked him, what's the difference between Florida high school football and Georgia high school football?

And he told me it is the quality of play week in and week out, evidenced by this matchup tonight with North Paulding and North Cobb.

It's one of those early season tests.

We've already told you how important it is, but Coach Stark, with his game plan and with his philosophy, there has been growth each and every single year that he has been in charge.

There are three straight playoff berths.

There's that region title that we told you about, but the key tonight is taking that next step with a group of players that aren't four stars or five stars, but they know what they are expected to do, game in and game out.

Can they take on a team like North Cobb with all the five stars, with folks heading to South Bend, can they come out on top in a big environment at home, get the win and have that inside track to the region?

Title answers coming up here on Football Fridays in Georgia?

Matt, go ahead and light this first candle that we've ever lighted from the den.

Indeed.

And we are just minutes away from the opening kickoff.

Please go to the QR code here on your screen and pick the winner of tonight's game between the North Cobb, Warriors and the North Paulding Wolfpack.

So North Cobb Wayne won the opening toss.

They have deferred.

So that means we see this high powered Wolfpack offense on the field for the first time.

But they are down their top three running backs going into tonight's game.

And their fourth string running back will be their starting running back tonight in Darian Smith.

And how will that affect their balance?

They like to have a balanced offense with Tyler Niehr, but tonight he might have to make a little.

I know their offense is really not set for the quarterback to run the ball, but I expect him to have to pull that ball down and make some yards with his legs.

So North Cobb in the Navy and gray tonight or North Paulding in the Navy and gray tonight.

North Cobb in their orange and navy and the white jerseys.

And the opening kickoff is brought to you by heads Up, Georgia, Park your phone while you're driving.

It saves lives.

Tenth all time meeting and the Warriors lead the series 63.

They've won four in a row in the series, including 42 18 a year ago and Michael Hill with the kickoff.

And he's been great on touchbacks this year.

And that makes 17 out of 24 kickoffs for Michael Hill this year that have been nonreturnable.

So the Wolfpack will start at their 20 yard line.

How about his coach, Mike Hill?

Just praising him for being able to do that.

He's a weapon for this team.

But this North Paulding Wolfpack offense, it has to get going early.

When you look at not having enough running backs, can Darian Smith and Steve Agbar hold it down to that position tonight?

So Tyler Niehr 58 165 senior brings the offense out.

Don't be fooled by his size though.

He's got a big time arm and he's thrown for over 5,300 yards in his career already with 30-9 touchdowns.

They line up in the shotgun and we're ready to go.

That's a Umudi in motion.

Flips to the other side of the line.

And the handoff goes to Darian Smith.

And Smith shakes off a tackle.

And Smith is going to be dropped for a loss.

Back at the 17 yard line as CJ Williams gets the TfL.

And Wayne, let's take a look at the impact players.

They are brought to you by Breda Pest Management, the official pest control of high school football.

, and they are special tight end who can make some plays down the field.

Presley Carr their top receiver already three touchdowns on the season.

CJ Williams the big plug in the middle and Latavian James the leader on that defense.

Expected to make plays sideline to sideline.

CJ Williams already made one TfL here on the opening play of the game.

Smith gets the handoff, tries to bounce outside, finds a seam and has the first down out across the 30 yard line and gets shoved out of bounds at the 38.

Nice patience and vision here by Smith as you can see him waiting on the the patience to wait on the guard to pull around, the vision to bounce it out showed you that burst of speed.

And what a situation he's finding himself in tonight.

Having to start the game.

20 carries for 153.

You see he's got 37 on the helmet and he's wearing 30 jersey tonight.

So a little bit of a mix up right there.

But it looks like they got the right jersey on him.

He just busted out about a 20 yard gain right there.

Near goes to the air.

And it's caught across midfield at the 46 yard line as his brother Bryson Niehr the sophomore makes the catch.

Great route there by Bryson Niehr timing.

Routte working out of the slot.

Beautiful time.

Nice high throw there.

This Bryson Niehr only a sophomore, but a high football IQ and big things are expected of him.

Not just this season, but to really carry on this wide receiver tradition.

Yeah, he's averaging 29 yards per catch.

Handoff goes to Smith and he runs right into C.J.

Williams right there in the middle.

And it'll be second down as we take a look at the starting lineups.

They are delivered by Johnny's New York style pizza.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria Fabre up there at the front, along with Ivey Bentley, a three year starter, Spencer and Reid playing at right tackle here tonight.

And then Darian Smith is the running back with Carr near Davis and Umudi.

The wide receivers and the tight end.

Second down and ten.

Play action near stands in the pocket, delivers on the underneath pass going to a moody.

The tight end and a moody gets shoved out of bounds at the 33 yard line.

Picks up the first down.

Good pass blocking up front.

Look at the time here that Tyler Niehr has to survey the field of Moody coming all the way across the screen right there to catch that ball.

But great job of protection up front by the O-line.

And Wayne Don Stark tells us that the offensive line has been the key to their success so far in their first five games this season, especially running the ball.

A group that's gritty and tough up front, unsung heroes of the team.

Hand off goes to Ayegba.

Steve Ayegba has only four carries in the entire season, thrust into major duty here tonight with the injuries to their top three running backs.

He picks up one on the play.

Nice job there of Jordan Johnson.

They're working down the line of scrimmage.

This defensive front seven is not that big of North Cobb.

When you look at really the only big body they have in there is CJ Williams.

But nice job right there playing the technique by Jordan Johnson.

They lost their top four defensive linemen from last year's defensive line which was spectacular.

Dominic Moody, who's now at East Carolina.

Cam Collins who's now at Liberty second down and nine.

Ayegba, gets the hand off again, tries to bounce it outside, gets tripped up trying to get around the edge there at the 30 yard line.

Nice open field tackle by Dylan Rainey who's getting the start tonight at free safety.

And there's a flag down on the field.

Illegal formation.

On the offense.

That penalty is 5 yards from the previous spot.

Replay second down.

The veteran Greg Norton is our referee here tonight.

He's worked a number of the big games in the state and many of our TV games.

Good to see him and his crew out here this evening.

That's going to back him up beyond the original line of scrimmage.

Illegal formation on the offense.

That penalty is declined.

Third down.

That's interesting that they declined the penalty instead of making it second and 14, they're going to go third down here.

And about seven.

Trusting your defense right there.

Coach Queen defensive coordinator Drew Blessington deciding not to let them dial up the way they started this game, throwing the ball and give them that extra down.

North Paulding again has an excellent kicker in Max Hernandez as well.

So interesting they don't push him back.

Handoff goes to Ayegba and Agbor going to get tackled just across the 30 yard line, down to the 29 yard line.

Aziz Helm their big corner, who's just a sophomore, looks like a strong safety in on that tackle.

CJ Williams just pushing the center right here into the backfield.

They're just no chance to make that play happen for Drake Bentley.

And then coming up with the cleanup duty is Helms the big corner.

Coach raved about how he's built more like a strong safety.

But right now only a sophomore.

So he might next year move to safety.

But right now he's their top corner.. 47 yard attempt for Max Hernandez.

And the kick is on its way.

And the kick is going to be short.

It was on the mark but a little bit short on the 47 yard attempt.

And so North Paulding fails to score on their opening possession.

North Cobb on offense from the 20 yard line.

When we get back.

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You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

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Welcome back to The Den.

Time to catch up with our friends from North Paulding, and to catch up with our friends from Cigna.

The $1,500 donation.

And we get to catch up because the doctor's in the house.

Dr.

Ryan Dyer, the A.D.

And the AP here at North Paulding.

Thanks for being great hosts and thanks for helping us out here on Football Fridays.

Oh, we're so excited to have you guys been first class, and we're just so happy to have you all here.

What he said man of few words.

But that's because we got a game going on.

Time for a change of possession, Matt, take it away.

Excited to be here at the Den at North Paulding for the first time ever in Dallas, Georgia.

I don't know why.

North Paulding comes up empty on their opening possession.

And now this North Cobb offense gets ready to take the field with their quarterback, Teddy Jarrard excited to see this young man play.

Transfer from North Cobb Christian.

He threw for over 4,700 yards and 49 touchdowns in his freshman and sophomore years.

And we got to see him early warming up.

And what a big arm he possesses.

Only a junior and his coach just raves about the possibilities of where he can end up in a few years.

Looks like Quavy Echols is lined up next to him in the starting lineup, and Jarrard going to be sacked.

Corner blitz coming from Obi Duru to get the sack back inside the 15 yard line.

Not sitting back at all.

Is this Wolfpack defense 21 coming into your screen right there.

You got to be Echols has to be aware and get off of that fake and pick up that corner blitz and protect your quarterback right there.

Neither Echols or Jarrard I think, saw Duru coming off the corner.

Don Stark was a big Chicago Bears fan growing up.

He loved Buddy Ryan.

He loves to blitz.

Opening play of the game.

They send the corner blitz going to set up the screen pass.

It goes to Billingsley and Billingsley gets dragged down inside the 15 yard line by Levi Hilty.

The linebacker.

As we take a look at the impact players brought to you by Breda Pest Management official pest control of high school football.

Earl Campbell, their Quavy Echols already in the game.

They got to get him going along with Belyeu Brandon Anderson the big right tackle.

The four star headed to Missouri.

Wesley Raggs inside is just a dominant force that can't be moved and already making a sack there.

Obi Duru coming off the corner.

So third down and long here for North Cobb Blitz is coming again and they get it out of there and unable to hold on to the ball as Echols.

So on.

Two of their first three plays, they send the blitz.

That time it was the linebacker.

They're not going to just sit back and let Teddy Jarrard pick him apart.

They're going to bring some pressure off the edge.

Some new looks right here.

Late dog right there by the linebacker coming in there late by Dabbelt.

Paul Dabbelt.

The young sophomore.

And I know we keep saying sophomores, but it's a lot of sophomores for both teams that are having to contribute.

So North Cobb punting here.

And Kingslee Simpson is standing deep for the Wolfpack.

And Caleb Castro is standing at the goal line for North Cobb.

They got in there close.

They hit him.

Kingslee Simpson makes the fair catch at the 40, but they run into the kicker and we'll wait and see if that's going to be running into the kicker.

That's going to be roughing the kicker.

They got close to him, but they did make contact in him on him.

Right here.

Big pressure.

Personal foul.

Roughing the kicker by the defense.

That penalty is 15 yards resulting in an automatic first down.

You can see the pressure there running into that plant leg is always going to get you.

A personal foul right there.

Nice job.

Still getting the ball off there.

Is Castro, but you can see big loss right there for the defense.

Yeah.

The North Paulding defense had made that great stand right there.

Pushed him back, had him punting off the goal line.

You're going to get the ball in great field position.

And then you make a silly mistake like that.

Roughing the punter.

So now North Cobb retains possession and they have the ball first and ten at the 29 yard line.

Just cannot afford to make mistakes like that.

When you're playing a team as the caliber of North Cobb.

We felt like this North Cobb offense would come out and try to establish the run we saw in those first getting behind the chains, having to throw the ball, but they are a great running team.

Jarrard on the sprint out, being chased again and threw it away before he went out of bounds.

Incomplete.

As we take a look at the starting lineup delivered by Johnny's New York style pizza, your original neighborhood pizzeria Fredenburg Okafor Castoreno Duke and Anderson up front Anderson.

As you mentioned, the four star Belyeu, the running back Billingsley, Easley, Guimaraes, and Vayens is the tight end, but impressed with North Paulding.

They've come out and they've pressured the quarterback from the get go.

They've not been afraid to send max pressure.

Billingsley in motion, gets it on the jet sweep, and Billingsley shakes through a couple of tackles and struggles to get back to the line of scrimmage.

Good job by Billingsley, though, just to get back to the line of scrimmage.

Great job.

Wesley Rakestraw right here.

95.

Watch the hustle right there with the penetration making the back belly out and then cleaning up, not stopping on the play.

Getting out on the edge to make a tackle.

Came into this game with 20 tackles for a D tackle inside.

That's a lot of tackles in in five games right there.

But showing you why they're so high on him just hustling to make that play.

62 270 junior also has six TfL and four quarterback sacks.

It's third down and long again for North Cobb.

They've been going backwards ever since they went on offense.

Gotta get a false start right here.

I think.

Five-Yard penalty.

Prior to the snap.

False start on the offense.

That penalty is 5 yards.

Still third down.

At least early on this pressure that this Wolfpack defense is bringing, I think it has them rattle.

Right now they're a little confused of who and where to go.

They see the aggressiveness of these corners willing to come with the pressure and play man behind that.

And that was just a function of the receiver.

Looking at the defense and moving on their reaction.

I'm just now seeing number 88.

Gunner Girard, the freshman brother of Tyler.

He is a monster.

Ball goes on the screen complete to Billingsley.

They've got the first down or close to it.

Maybe not the first down.

Looks like he's going to be stopped at the 37.

Looked like he was going to get there, but get stopped.

It's going to be fourth down.

Big pressure a little underneath screen right there by Billingsley.

Get him in the open field trying to make something happen.

Coming up a little short there on picking up that first down.

But you really just saw the pressure right there in these first couple of drives.

North Paulding mixing it up.

And this offense of North Cobb not very comfortable right now.

He can't hear you stand on the yard line.

You want to do.

So it looks like Hill's going to be in there and take the punt this time.

Castro might have been shaken up on that roughing.

And Hill, who's the number 2 punter, does not get off a good punt.

Let's see where they're going to spot it.

They're going to give North Paulding the ball at the North Cobb 44.

Great field position as we step aside with the Wolfpack back on offense.

When we get back.

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Good start here at the den at North Paulding 445 to play in the opening quarter.

Shane Queen's team North Cobb really has not got untracked yet offensively, and North Paulding defense.

Wayne has had a lot to do with that.

Yeah, just taking their time, dictating the pace, coming off the edge, bringing pressure dogging with the linebackers, just throwing this offensive North Cobb off and now the offense has to take advantage of this short field.

This is complementary football.

When this gift is given to you to start in the opposing team's field, you have to go get scores.

Spin, move.

And we're looking downfield and fires.

And it's going to be caught.

And that's his brother actually that's going to be number 89 this time.

That's going to be Presley Carr their top wide receiver by numbers with the catch in the first down.

Showing you the arm strength right there.

And the best part of that by Presley Carr is how he just settled down and caught the ball.

He didn't try to get anything after he saw that his quarterback saw his numbers and he decided to sit in that little pocket and catch the ball.

Team leading 15th catch of the season for Carr.

And it's first and ten for the Wolfpack.

Near pump fake freezes the defense.

Drops it off to Carr on the Gragg.

Routte and Carr is going to get down to the 26 yard line tackle made by Jayden Harris.

As we take a look at the starting lineup for North Cobb on defense is delivered by Johnny's New York Style Pizzeria.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria Johnson Williams and Vayens.

Up front in the linebacking corps, Harris, Reid, James and Richards.

And in the secondary, a couple of sophomores, Singleton and Helm, and then the safeties Rainey and Shaw.

Second down and three.

Body in motion by North Paulding.

Handoff goes to Smith, cuts through a hole and Smith down to the 14 yard line.

Great job by Darian Smith.

Do a little stutter step and shift in his direction to pick up a big game.

Showing patience once again.

Good blocking there by the right tackle.

Jared Reid and that right guard Max Spencer.

Beautiful hole.

Good vision and I like the burst of Smith once he gets into the hole.

Good vision, good feet right there by that young man.

Looks like the run might be erased.

However, there is a flag down on the field.

Holding on the offense.

That penalty is ten yards from the spot of the foul.

Still second down.

So this North Paulding offense is down 1,207 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Their top three running backs statistically, Morris-Martinez out with a rib.

Harrell Harrell.

Pardon me.

Out with a shoulder and stelly.

They're all region back from a year ago.

Out with an ankle.

Second down and seven.

Near spin move and fire is complete.

Nice catch and run down to the 21 yard line by Bowen Carpenter.

Nice find once again.

Rolling Tyler Niehr out of the pocket.

He's just very impressed.

On his ability to throw the ball on the move.

The young senior been around a long time, has a big arm.

He knows what he wants to do.

Good job, great play calling so far to give him clean alleys to throw the ball.

First and ten from the 21 Tyler Niehr receiving interest from Reinhardt, Shorter and Barry as a kicker.

Handoff goes to Smith.

Darian Smith to the outside.

Smith all the way down to the five yard line.

Once again, Darius Smith Coach Stark said that he was their most dynamic out of all the backs.

Look at the patience of how he lets the blocks happen in front of him right there, letting guys get to their block, get to their man, and then just accelerating for the big run.

Amazing.

This is technically their fourth string running back that we're watching here tonight.

20 carries for 15,037.7 A carry coming into the game.

Steve Ayegba right there.

Wildcat direct snap to him.

Another sophomore having to be called into duty.

That's interesting that they go Wildcat right there with Ayegba.

A guy who's had only four carries in the first five games.

They're trusting him a lot with the ball.

First and goal to go.

You got to get him in.

When these are your two backs, your three top backs are going.

You got to trust these young men to make plays.

Once again lining up in the same formation with Ayegba in the Wildcat.

Dropped by Ayegba and he's going to take a big loss back at the eight yard line play got blown up and Brandon Anderson, the four star offensive lineman, is in there playing defense.

He made the tackle.

Right there.

Snap just to the left.

Pulled him to the left.

And when you have a running back in that position, the snaps have to be perfect.

You have to have perfect snaps right there.

That's why I'm really surprised they have them in this role right now.

Quite frankly, he's technically the number 5 running back on the depth chart.

They got near back in there now and Darian Smith lined up behind.

Him.

Shifts motions trying to get the defense.

Get some clarity of who are they in man.

Are they in zone.

Near to the end zone, caught in the back of the end zone.

Touchdown North Paulding Kingslee Simpson hauls it in and the Wolfpack have a 6-0 lead.

Great find here by Tyler near the motion.

He saw his man Simpson in the slot.

Nobody went with him when he left the left the line of scrimmage right there in a perfect pass.

As we talked about, if you go out and you see him, the measurables, the height, things like that, Tyler Niehr does not impress you.

But that was a beautiful ball there by that young man.

Hernandez with the p.a.t to make it seven.

Nothing.

Here's another look at that touchdown pass by Tyler Niehr.

It's his tenth of the season, 40th of his career.

And you can see right off the bat through the shifts and motions.

He knew where he was going with the ball.

Nobody went with Kingslee Simpson right there.

Great protection.

Look at the height.

Throwing it high, keeping it high over the safeties head.

That's why I called him Little big man.

This guy is 58 in that zip he has on his passes.

What's funny is he gets down about the fact that he's not recruited very much.

And Coach Stark said go watch highlights of Doug Flutie.

He didn't know who Doug Flutie is.

Well, at this point, the.

Patron St.. Of quarterbacks.

Yeah, Doug is old enough to be his granddad at this point in life.

But this young man, I'm quite sure he went to YouTube and looked up some Flutie and saw that that was a compliment.

One of the greatest quarterbacks that ever do it, Doug Flutie.

But what a great pass right there by that young man on that post route by Simpson.

Plays 44 yards on the DBHDD and the new red ribbon curriculum.

365 curriculum scoring drive for the Wolfpack and the touchback.

And so North Cobb that's yet to get going offensively.

Now down 7-0 will take over at the 20 yard line.

I imagine Coach Queen is going to get his run game going here in this drive.

We saw in those first two or three drives, trying to pass the ball some of that a function of being behind the sticks.

But this team with Belyeu and Echols running the ball behind this big offensive line, it's something they got to get going.

Warriors are averaging just under 185 yards rushing per game.

And 170 passing.

And the handoff and the North Paulding defense is there to meet the challenge right there at the line of scrimmage.

And a short to no gain for Quavy Echols.

Once again, Wesley Rakestraw the big plug in the middle.

Just a physical presence, kind of a throwback guy who just won't be moved.

He's a dominant force for this defense.

It's interesting.

They've gone Echols most of the way at running back so far as Echols gets the handoff right there, a young man that's compared to Earl Campbell by coach Shane Queen.

And of course, all the kids can go to YouTube and figure out who Earl Campbell is.

The Red Rose of Texas.

It'll be worth watching.

Let me tell you right now.

And that is the end of the first quarter.

It's been all North Paulding so far.

After 12 minutes on the touchdown pass from Tyler near ten to the second 7-0 Wolfpack.

Let me know if I can help you with anything.

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Oh well, that shirt's not local.

You should be wearing cotton.

George is a major supplier of cotton worldwide, so if you'd like to buy local to support Georgia, buying cotton is a great place to start.

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That's a polyester fiber made of oil, by the way.

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Matt Stewart Wayne Gandy.

John Nelson.

Our Emmy win, Emmy Award winning GPB team here with you at the Den of North Paulding here tonight, where the Wolfpack have been impressive in the first quarter.

It's third down and long here, and the handoff goes to Belyeu.

That was third down and short.

Pardon me.

And Belyeu his first carry of the game.

He played the entire first quarter.

Didn't get him the ball.

First carry of the second quarter.

He picks up the first down.

Three carries for 4 yards as an offense in the first quarter.

Here in it to their best player getting down Hill.

Belyeu is not going to try to make you miss.

He's going to run right over you.

215 pound sophomore.

So first and ten.

That was really the first really big positive play that the Warriors have had so far in this game.

Belyeu gets the hand off again and there goes Belyeu Zach Belyeu off to the races.

Might go the distance track race and Belyeu is going to get in for the touchdown.

That's why you hand the ball to Zach Belyeu.

What a run.

The four star, the sophomore, the phenom right here.

Great vision.

Cut this ball back to the open space.

And they say in the off season he was working on his speed here showing you that he can go the distance right there with his left hand.

Looked like maybe he was trying to keep his pants up.

He was running so fast.

Was Belyeu right there holding his pants up with his left hand and scoring the big touchdown.

Running right out of his pants.

He was running so fast.

Hill on for the Pats 12 of 15 on Pats this season.

Make it 13 out of 16.

We're tied at seven.

So Zach Belyeu this young man is phenomenal.

Shane Quinn called him a true generational player here.

Great vision to bounce this to the backside.

Look at that backside cut right there.

Then off to the races.

If you think this young man has an improved on his speed right here look at the left hand running so fast holding the pants up the footwork to get into the end zone.

This is a big time sophomore that a lot of colleges are going to be recruiting here, trying to get them right there.

When you have that size and that speed.

And able to go that far, that kind of distance right there.

And here's the story with high school football.

For me, if we're playing college, we're playing the NFL.

I want the four star quarterback.

We're playing high school.

If I have to make a choice, I want the four star running back.

Yeah, you want to be able to run the ball when you can run the ball in high school and stop the run.

You put a lot of pressure.

Since I've been doing it.

Those are the teams that you have.

Winning championships.

You can win championships that way and got behind this big offensive line.

As we talked about for Fredenburg and Anderson, Duke Castoreno Okafor up front, doing a great job of the vision right there.

The total package to get to that cutback lane for a big run.

Four plays, 80 yards on the DBHDD and the new red ribbon 365.

Curriculum scoring drive kick will be nonreturnable as Hill puts it into the back of the end zone.

And so North Cobb now tied it up 7-7 North Paulding going back on offense.

This Wolfpack offense is in a little groove.

They found something moving near out of the pocket.

He's showing you how great of a quarterback he is throwing the ball on the run.

His receivers and him are in a groove.

Just making nice positive catches down the field.

Yeah.

Tyler Niehr as we mentioned, does not have any offers.

He's receiving interest as a kicker.

His hope is to go someplace as a kicker and then maybe work his way into quarterback, maybe like, kind of like Diego.

Diego Pavia did at New Mexico military.

He went there as a linebacker and became a quarterback.

And of course, now the quarterback of the Vanderbilt Commodores first and ten ball at the 20 yard line.

Spin move.

And you would think he's been studying Doug Flutie video because he looks just like him doesn't he?

He looks just.

Like his moves and the size the whole package.

Right.

And the arm right there.

The arm strength to even get that ball out a deep route there by the receiver.

Just missing overhead.

But you can see North Paulding they're not just going to sit him in that pocket.

They're going to let him move around getting those open to take him to the field, let him make plays.

And Don Stark clearly believes that this is a power four quarterback.

If he were bigger with the skill set that he has and it's second down and ten.

Hagbard gets the handoff and Ayegba is going to get just a couple of yards on the play that time.

Third down at eight.

This is what this defense has to tackle.

Well to have success.

They got to tackle well against these backs.

Try to create third and long get some pressure coming off the edge.

These linebackers Reid James and Harris like to to dog and blitz.

So if you're Tyler Niehr you have to watch for the late dog by the linebacker.

So it's third down and eight ball on the 22.

Let's see if the Wolfpack go back to the air right now.

Niehr is six of seven for 65 yards.

Pass is thrown.

It's complete.

And that's going to be a first down at the 31.

He sticks it in a tight spot right there to Kingslee Simpson.

Nice route here by Simpson right there.

Coming underneath route right there.

And great timing to split the window there by neer between two defenders.

But working underneath a little slant underneath working out of that slot by Simpson.

That's what they call threading the needle.

I mean, he was right on the money in a tight spot.

First and ten.

Handoff goes to Ayegba.

He's going to bounce outside, breaks out of a tackle, challenges a guy, gets close to 9 yards on the play for Ayegba.

Both backs showing a lot of patience.

Letting the block secure a little pull the vision to bounce that to the outside.

Nice finish over there by the right tackle.

Reid falling forward is Ayegba.

Yeah, just busting right through that tackle attempt by the cornerback Marcus Singleton.

Who is the younger brother of former star quarterback Malachi Singleton, who's now at Purdue.

Second down and one.

Pass out here to the edge and off the hands of Simpson that time, it's going to be third down.

Put it right on the money, though.

Nice throw.

Long out route there by Simpson hard throw and catch right there in that situation when you talk about second and one, we've seen a couple of easier plays to be made by this offense.

And now where do you go?

Do you run the ball, get the offensive line in there.

Very capable offensive line.

As we talked about the real key to this offense.

Try to pick up this first down.

They've had to move some guys around on the offensive line this week as well.

Handoff goes to Ayegba.

He's going to be thrown for a loss big time play right there.

That was Jayden Hamlette.

I believe the linebacker who made the tackle.

The TfL is going to be fourth down.

Coming with a little run blitz here.

Big time penetration.

Watch 23 come underneath on the run.

Blitz to make the play.

He's the guy that they're setting up to have to make that play.

The young junior came into the game with 20-4 tackles.

So this is the first time we've seen Tyler Niehr punt.

They don't have anybody back whatsoever.

On fourth down and three.

Punt safe here.

Just making sure when a situation with a Tyler near the quarterback, you have to make sure that he punts this ball.

They're going to play punt safe on him and just stand and watch him punt the ball.

High.

Kick, spiral kick.

Going to hit and bounce backwards.

North Paulding has got to get on top of that.

They lost 8 yards on the bounce back.

And so North Cobb is going to take over at the 43 yard line.

First and ten for the Warriors.

When we get back.

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North Cobb and North Paulding tied at seven with 8 minutes to play here in the first half.

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So North Cobb going back on offense here in a tie game.

They got the big run from Zach Blue, a 66 yard touchdown run for their one score.

North Paulding scored on their second possession, putting together a solid 44 yard drive, capping it with Nia's pass to Simpson.

So that's where we are.

Matt Stewart Wayne Gandy John Nelson here with you at the Den at North Paulding.

First time we've ever come to Dallas, Georgia with GPB Sports Football Fridays in Georgia going to run a reverse as the ball goes to Easley.

First time they've tried to get the ball to Easley and they're good looking.

Sophomore linebacker Gavin Clark gets the TfL as we take a look at the starting lineup for North Paulding on defense, it's delivered by Johnny's New York style pizza.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria.

Henderson Watson, Rakestraw and Coker.

Up front.

77.

Dabbelt Hilty and Clark who just made the tackle in the linebacking corps and in the secondary Duru had a sack earlier, Johnson, Lentz and Jefferson second down Jarrard right there in the middle, incomplete going to his brother gunner.

That kid's just a freshman.

Look how big he is.

Tight coverage there by Gavin Clark right there.

Just really nowhere to go with this ball.

He felt like Terry Teddy Jarrard was kind of forcing this in there to his brother gunner, who's a big target, a D-1 talent, only a freshman really trying to gun it in there.

Nice job breaking on the ball.

Was Clark.

Third down.

Yeah he's 62, 200 pounds and he's just a ninth grader.

Looked like there might have been some movement.

Ball goes to Echols and Echols going to be dragged down again by Clark Clark with the tackle.

A couple of fine plays by Gavin Clark, their linebacker, their sophomore linebacker.

It's going to be fourth down.

All three plays made by Gavin Clark here.

Just a little screen underneath getting it to Quavy Echols.

A nice job of reading that and making the play, making the tackle there by clock.

Yeah.

And Coach Don Stark believes that Clark sophomore has a chance to develop into a D-1 linebacker.

61, 195 sophomore good out in space and a good tackler.

Castro back in there to punt after not punting on their second attempt of the game, he got roughed on the first attempt and a flag comes out as the snap goes back.

Prior to the snap, false start on the offense, that penalty is 5 yards.

Still fourth down.

Shane Queen in his 20th season, he's the second all time winningest coach in Cobb County history, behind only the legendary Jimmy Dorsey, who led and helped make McEachern into a state championship power.

Six region titles for Shane Queen.

Four of them have come in the last five years.

He's getting better with age.

He intense and still fit and energetic about his job.

He was a three time all OVC linebacker back in the day, playing with future Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith there at Tennessee Tech.

Mike Smith, my head coach, my last year in the NFL with the Falcons and I just love coach talking to him.

The intensity, the grit he still gives you that feel, that feel like he just finished his career yesterday out on the field like he wants to hit somebody.

I posted a video of Shane on Instagram and my buddy Dean Buchan, who was once the sports information director at Georgia Tech, said, that guy.

Now that's what a football coach looks like.

And I said, you are right, Shane Queen looks like a football coach.

And he is a very successful one.

26 seasons as a head coach, going back to his days at his alma mater, South Cobb near back to pass looking heavy rush been flushed out of the pocket and being chased and near shows off his wheels and gets across midfield and a first down at the 47.

Unfortunate for North Cobb the pressure right there just didn't allow near to set up.

Receiver coming open across the middle of the field, but the big pressure there by Johnson to get him out of the pocket and off the mark.

Couldn't deliver the ball.

But using his feet we felt like he was going to take three or four plays tonight.

Throughout this game and show you that he has some good athletic ability.

He really is a dynamic athlete.

He is a true make that kid an offer guy.

Play action.

Pass.

Complete ball is out.

Davis fumbled it.

It's covered by an offensive lineman who was hustling downfield.

Great play action.

Fake.

Beautiful throw there by Neil.

I mean near.

Excuse me.

Into the slot right here.

Look at this.

Throw.

Nice heat on the ball.

Bryce Davis coughing it up after the big hit.

But beautiful.

Oh, Garrett.

Ivey covering on the ball, hustling down the field.

That's a left guard's dream, isn't it?

You're doing the right thing.

Cover the ball.

Don't try to pick it up.

Never do that.

Don't try to scoop.

Just fall on.

It.

Near heavy rush.

Going to step up between the pass pressure.

Going to go down Keegan Vayens their sophomore defensive end who's freaky athletic in the world of Shane Queen, gets the quarterback sack.

Vayens another one of those young sophomores.

63, 200 pounds here working underneath with the rip move.

Just hustling a high motor guy is Vayens corralling Niehr on that play.

Yeah, I tell you what.

This North Cobb team is loaded in the junior and in particular the sophomore classes.

They're going to be around for a while.

Strength of their team is in the underclassmen, not the senior class.

Handoff goes to Smith and he gets knocked down right away.

That was Reid Ellis read the linebacker making the tackle.

There's a flag down on the field.

I think we're going to get a holding out here on the left tackle by Bray.

Holding on the offense.

That penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot.

Still second down.

Gamma for Bray 612 55.

Junior left tackle is a first year starter.

One of two first year starters they have on the offensive line.

They're down Julio Sutton Childs their typical number 1 right tackle got suspended after getting into a scuffle at the end of last week's game against Cherokee.

It's a mandatory one game suspension.

Near fires.

It's complete to the tight end a moody a moody.

He's got the first down right there, but a flag out again.

Flag.

Too many penalties right here for North Baldy.

Holding on the offense.

That penalty is ten yards from the previous spot.

Still second down.

All right.

Who was it this time?

Wayne, you have the uncanny ability of spotting those oldies.

It's like you.

It's like they just jump off the page.

At you.

It's just we're certain places where the flag is.

That means that it's holding.

Especially in that situation.

If a flag is thrown by the white hat it's either in the face mask, somebody hands up in the face mask or holding right there and North Paulding now just going in the wrong direction.

You see, Coach Queen, he's going to take those yards, push this offense back because he knows how electric their pass game is.

Second and 31 now with about 5 minutes to play here in the first half.

Harbaugh back in there at tailback.

Heavy rush near steps up to avoid it.

Throws and it's caught downfield.

And that's going to get a bunch of that yardage back as he goes to his brother Bryson.

Bryson near the navigation of the pocket here by Tyler Niehr under duress.

Pressure coming off the edge right there.

Able to stay a step ahead of the defenders and deliver the ball down to his brother.

And that's why I just mentioned with Coach Queen.

That's why he was taking the flags.

A lot of people would have been like decline and go to the next down.

He knows that this offense can make big chunk plays like that and give their offense a chance.

Bryson, near Tyler's younger brother, is very explosive.

Coach Stark says.

Reminds him a lot of Javorius George, who we saw in 2023, who's now at Mercer.

Dropped for a loss, could not get outside.

Read, who's very aggressive, very aggressive going after the quarterback, going after the running back right there.

Gets the TfL.

Once again coming with a run blitz here.

The linebackers playing downhill.

Not going to sit back right there.

Ellis Reid freak athlete.

Only a junior.

And this linebacking corps about the size of a lot of strong safeties across there.

That's why they have that speed.

It's just hard to outrun this linebacking corps.

So fourth down here they keep the offense on the field.

They won't try a field goal.

This would be a 51 yarder.

So it's going to be fourth down and nine.

You could always pooch kick here with near.

But they're going to pass the ball near.

Gets to the outside throws on the run and a tight spot.

It's caught at the 24 yard line close to a first down as he teams up with little bro again and maybe moves the sticks.

Right here navigating working the pocket.

Stepping up once again.

Delivering the ball down the field.

Little backyard football near the near.

They did not get the first down though.

Come up a yard short and North Cobb gets the ball as it goes over on downs.

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All right.

What do you think, Jasper?

Honestly, I think that polyester shirts affecting your game.

What?

I think cotton would have been a better choice.

Cotton?

Yeah, it's come a long way.

You know, nowadays, cotton breeze and moisture.

Great.

Plus, buying cotton means supporting Georgia farmers.

I think that's wonderful.

Okay, sure.

But what do you think about the putt?

Oh, it's really hadn't thought about it.

Walking back to the den 3:36 to go.

First half honors even seven coming up around the corner.

It's the halftime show.

How do I know that?

Here's my notes.

We've got some interesting scores around the state.

We'll catch up with our friends at you.

Save it for our Scholar Athlete of the week.

Also our friends from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and we'll find out what else is going on here at North Paulding.

What happens in the final 336 after the home team was a half a yard short?

What can North Cobb do?

Matt and Wayne has the answer for the rest of the second quarter.

Guys.

Hey John, what do you think about our first ever visit to the den.

Packed house?

You got to love it.

Especially on this side where it's loud and proud.

That's den, as in Wolf den, not den like you have a sofa in your house.

So big play in the backfield right there as Grant Henderson.

I believe it is.

Comes through there and gets the TfL.

Great kick off the ball right there by Henderson.

His biggest attribute right there swimming the left tackle Fredenburg right there to get underneath him and make the play.

Defensive penetration always key to stopping the run.

Don Stark said he had to give a lot of credit to his administration for allowing them to coach these players the way they needed to be coached and developed.

Ball is thrown complete out there on the edge, going to be close to the first down because you know they don't have the big players.

Their guys are a couple of inches short, a couple of pounds too light, couple of steps, maybe not fast enough.

So they really have to develop their guys, but they've got great players.

They're just not the big three and four.

Stars and they have great high school players and you can win with a lot of good, hard nosed high school players.

That's dedicated to the program.

And I think when you see different plays, you can tell that temperament has been passed down to them by Coach Stark.

Their one three star player.

Markell Taylor got hurt in the preseason, an ACL that's going to be close to the first down on the run right there.

Markell Taylor, who is committed to Cincinnati, has not played this year and will not play this year.

His next football will come in college.

Clark Hilty Dabo all in the backfield right there.

Nowhere to go with the ball will bail.

You did pick up the first down though.

The crowd over here on this side of the stadium.

The North Paulding side is not happy about that.

So first and ten for the Warriors with the ball sitting at the 34.5.

Handoff goes to Belyeu slashes through the line.

Belyeu off to the races again being chased by Johnson from behind.

Breaks out of that tackle, changes direction and all the way down to the eight.

Wow.

Speechless right there.

Exactly.

Just right down the heart of your defense.

That's the best I got.

Is wow.

It's downhill.

It's right at you.

It's not a flick.

It's not a jet sweep.

It's right coming at you at home.

A foot race here trying to catch him.

Michael Johnson right there Micah Johnson doing the smart thing, not doing the horse collar right there.

Right there.

They would have called him for horse collar.

But look at the foot race he's in with the safety right here.

Just a foot race trying to get to the end zone right there.

Kind of getting knocked off the tackle.

The vision, the cut back in.

And if not for the hustle right there.

Rodriguez another touchdown on the board.

I know that Shane Queen compared Quavy Echols to Earl Campbell, but my goodness that Belyeu looks a lot like Earl Campbell, which by the way, was the Tyler Rose.

Because.

He was from.

Tyler, Texas.

Tyler, Texas.

The Tyler Rose, not the Red Rose, but the Tyler Rose.

But I tell you what, whatever.

Rose Zach Belyeu looks a lot like him.

You see how he blew through that?

He just he blew his left tackle out of the way.

The 64, 290 Madden Fredenburg was in the way.

He just blew right through that guy.

Young sophomore right there.

30 offers.

The four star keep making those kind of runs right there, young man.

You're going to get 100 offers and have too many stars to carry.

He's got four carries for 131 yards right now, a 66 yard touchdown run.

That was a 57 yard run down to the eight.

Good to see Micah Johnson up being helped off.

Got knocked off.

Friendly fire right there as he was trying to make the tackle when his defenders ran into his legs.

Yeah hopefully he can get back into this game in the second half.

Yeah.

Micah Johnson 510165 sophomore.

He's the guy who stepped into the starting lineup this year after Markell Taylor was lost to that injury.

So he's had big shoes to fill, no doubt about that.

As a sophomore safety, his brother my Ty walked on at West Georgia.

Now a starting sophomore cornerback for the Wolves.

First and goal to go.

Two backpackers, now with Belyeu and Echols in the backfield.

Little confusion there.

Teddy Jarrard going over.

20s on the play clock, so still plenty of time to figure it out.

But they.

Tried to run the clock.

Looks like they're just running.

Clock is what they're doing now.

The play clock at ten.

They'll probably start to get in motion right here.

You would think it's down to six.

Looks like they're.

Going to take.

They're going to have to.

Call.

A time-out here.

There they go.

There's the time-out.

Time out North Cobb.

That is their first charge time-out of the half.

That was interesting right there.

As if they want to run this down to zero.

Make sure North Paulding doesn't get their hands on the ball again here in the second quarter.

Coach Queen is trying to make sure some clock ran off.

So if he had scored on this play here, he's guaranteed himself 40s off the clock.

Here's a look at the North Cobb resume.

They were state runners, runners up back in 1959.

That was the second year of the program.

They have not gotten back to the state championship game since way back in 1959.

They lost to Hawkinsville six.

Nothing in the state championship game.

They have gotten close in 79.

They got to the quarterfinals in 2012.

The semifinals in 16.

Again, the quarterfinals.

They've been in the playoffs six straight seasons.

They've had eight region championships.

Four of them have come in the last five years.

And this is their 68th season of football program started in 1958.

Yeah.

And Shane Queen has been there for the best of it.

Six region championships in oh 7-13 And then they started that run of four of the last five years.

He was a beast of a player in his own day.

Echols Belyeu both still in the game.

And Echols is going to get the handoff and Quavy Echols down to the six yard line.

Looked like that was Jaden Watson number 9.

The defensive tackle made the.

First hit.

Now North Paulding first charge time-out.

Now they want to get the ball.

And no knock against Quavy Echols.

But Mr.

Bell you needs the ball in these kind of situations here.

He's shown you that he's the biggest weapon you have.

Not sure why he's not getting the ball in these crucial times.

Yeah.

Zach Belyeu was cut differently.

There's no doubt about it.

He's built different.

All right, here's a look at the North Paulding resume.

Two region titles coming in 20 13-20 22.

They got to the state quarterfinals back in that 2013 season.

That's the deepest run they've ever had.

Only four all time playoff wins, although they've been to the playoffs now 11 times in their 18 year history.

So as you can see, it's a new school program.

Didn't start until 2008.

So second down and goal from the six.

Both teams trying to manage the clock here.

North Cobb trying to run clock before they score.

North Paulding trying to stop the clock.

So they make sure even if North Cobb scores, they're going to get the ball again.

Because remember North Cobb is getting the kick off to start the second half.

So the Warriors want to score here and basically have back to back possessions.

This one and then the one to start the third quarter.

Handoff goes to Echols and Echols gets stopped at the four.

Let's see if North Paulding uses another time-out.

They do.

Time-out North Paulding.

That's their second charge time-out of the half.

Same play right there.

Motioning Martinucci 43 and then running right downhill with Echols.

Quick time-out by North Paulding and you have to believe Coach Stark confident in his pass game.

If he can get the ball and the way they've been able to move the ball down the field with the big play, just interesting call.

Once again.

Echols on the carry.

Two plays in a row after Zach Belyeu got you down in this situation.

Echols 329 on the ground for the season 5.8 A carries 66 yards per game, five touchdowns over 1,000 yards rushing in his career with 17 touchdowns.

He's a senior and he was second team all region a year ago.

Such a tough spot, though, when you have a guy like Zach Belyeu who's clearly one of the top running backs in the entire country, he's good.

Zach's one of the best in the country, so it's going to be third down and goal from the four.

And they keep Echols in their.

Martinucci out, Vayens in at tight end.

Jarrard going to take a sack.

No, he gets away still scrambling, looking and throwing and incomplete out of the side of the end zone.

Duru on the coverage as Jarrard tried to squeeze the ball in there to Easley.

And now it's going to be fourth down.

Clock stopped with a minute to play in the half.

Coming with the pressure right.

Here are the Wolfpack once again coming off the edge.

Just not able to bring him down.

Right there.

Is that boat showing you the the strength and size Teddy Jarrard trying to keep the play alive, just not able to come up with the strike to his receiver.

Let's see if they try a field goal here.

They have not done that the entire season, even though Michael Hill is pretty good.

They're going to keep the offense out there and go for it.

On fourth and goal from the four.

Interesting that they don't try a field goal here.

They're right in the middle of the field for basically what's a p.a.t.

And the clock is running.

But the play clock is not.

Yeah I don't know why the clock started.

It should not have started because it was an incomplete pass out of the side of the end zone.

Aggressive move here by Shane Quinn.

Taking advantage of the great field position right here before half knowing you get the ball back.

To start the second half.

Please reset the game clock to 1 minute.

John, what you got?

And Don Stark down here on the sideline.

He was almost out to the numbers trying to remind the officiating crew that that was exactly the case because it was an incomplete pass.

The clock should not have started.

So Don Stark was getting in some steps at a high rate of speed to remind him to get it back to a minute.

Yeah, he was making sure his case was heard.

And so now they are going to try a field goal right here as they bring Michael Hill on for his first field goal attempt of the season.

Jayden Bryant is their holder.

Jude Blessington the defensive coordinator son, is their snapper.

King kick is up and the kick is good.

First field goal of the season for Michael Hill gives North Cobb the 107 lead.

North Paulding seven.

Great stand there by the Wolfpack stuffing the run with Echols and playing the the rollout.

The third down aggressively getting the pressure, forcing this team after a huge run by Belyeu into just getting three points.

And Wayne after they had that 57 yard run by Belyeu down to the eight, he didn't touch the ball again.

Didn't touch, didn't injure it.

A game in all three downs.

In that situation, even even if you're going with the play action fake, you would imagine with Belyeu back there, they're going to bite on it more.

Big time.

But big pressure off the edge and a great stand there by North Paulding to only give up three.

And they did a good job of burning time-outs.

So they make sure that they have some time on the clock here at the end of the first half, because again, North Cobb gets the ball to start the second half.

They wanted to avoid the Warriors having those back to back possessions.

So now they avoid that.

Now they get the ball.

Let's see if they get a returnable kick here from Hill and they might.

Ball is coming down at the five.

And not making it back to the 15.

I believe that was near.

I think that was Bryson near on the return.

It was did not quite get to the 15.

So they got a ways to go here.

And North Paulding has a good field goal kicker to Wolfpack.

You have to imagine in this situation, as good as the offense has moved the ball in the air inside your 2050 50s left on the clock.

Very dangerous place to just start throwing the ball around, but we've seen near, get execute getting out the pocket and delivering the ball.

If they can get the ball to the 25, they got a good chance to get points out of Max Henderson near steps into the throw and it's complete to his brother.

Bryson's got the first down out across the 30 yard line.

Man, this kid's got a strong arm.

Great job right there.

Good protection, long developing routes down the field.

Good protection up front by the old line quarterback.

Able to see the field step up clearly and deliver it down to Bryson Niehr.

First and ten ball sitting on the 33 yard line.

Make this kid an offer.

If you're out there and you have that ability, I don't know how you could not be impressed with this young quarterback who's a senior now, fires the ball again.

It's complete.

That goes to Simpson and a first down at the 44 yard line.

Interesting call defensively by North Cobb.

Only a three man rush and a spy on these plays right there.

Making sure that Tyler Niehr doesn't run the ball but not really his forte.

Yeah, we've only really seen him pull the ball down and run it once tonight.

And we're going to have movement up front on North Cobb.

Flag before the snap offside.

Prior to the snap encroachment on the defense.

That penalty is 5 yards still.

First down.

So they're probably about 25 yards away from being in Max Hernandez field goal range.

He came in with seven field goal makes.

He's now seven or eight.

He missed a 47 yarder.

But he's number 5 in the country in field goal.

Makes right now.

Ball is complete out there.

And again a shove at the end of the play after Bryson Niehr makes the catch.

Near is having a great game.

That's his third catch.

He had only five catches in their first five games and Don Stark confessed we probably have not gotten him the ball enough.

Well, they're taking care of that here tonight.

They pulled out the backyard package here.

With the brother.

The brother.

It looks.

Like they've been working on this.

They've been working on for the.

Last long before high.

School.

Nice catch.

Umudi.

No, that's Bryce Davis.

Pardon me.

Bryce Davis with the catch and Davis all the way down inside the 25 yard line.

Now they're in field goal range, and they still have plenty of time.

They have one time-out remaining and the clock is running.

Near being flushed out of the pocket.

Throws and it's caught inside the 15 yard line down to the ten.

They'll need to burn a time-out.

Clock will stop to move the sticks.

But then they've got to be ready to call that time-out.

We'll see if they're going to take a shot at the end zone, or bring the field goal unit out right away.

Time out North Paulding that is their third and final charge time-out of the half.

Wow.

You got to be impressed with how quickly near brings them down the field.

Low pressure coming from the backside but great pocket to view the field.

And Coach Stark said Bryson Niehr is something to keep an eye on.

510165 sophomore you can see great catch radius, good hands, smart, heady player.

He can tell when to get out of bounds right there.

Getting to the sticks and picking up that first down.

Setting up his team.

Yeah, there's no doubt this is the near family package.

They're running.

Right here.

This is the backyard brother package that they on their days off.

When coach gives them a break, they just go home and throw the ball to each other.

They have been great.

So far here tonight.

So six catches.

I misread the stats.

Six catches, 89 yards.

Now for Bryson near.

And his brother Tyler is an efficient 15 for 17 for 193.

And a touchdown.

One on my know went right through the hands of the of the wide receiver.

I can't remember the other one.

His other incompletion.

Out route to this sideline.

Yeah.

Both of them.

Yes.

So both of his incompletions hit his receivers hands.

Looks like they're going to just tack on the three here.

Yeah.

This is going to try to force.

Yeah.

You don't want to lose a chance at points here by taking a sack or something happening in the clock runs out on you.

This is going to be a 27 yard attempt for Hernandez.

And.

Time out.

North Cobb.

So they're going.

To use second charge time-out of the half.

The freeze time-out here.

And for you that are thinking, why not try the operation without the time-out is what Coach Stark is going.

If he had the time-out with his 96, he would feel free to run another play right here.

The way his team is playing, to be able to go in 10:10 at half time, it's something he wants to be able to build on in the second half.

So I think having to use that time-out changed his mind.

Yeah, you just didn't want to lose the chance to get points on the board right here John.

They were trying they meaning North Paulding were trying to see about snapping it quickly to avoid North Cobb having the thought to call the time-out.

They didn't get the snap off in time.

North Cobb got the time-out to think about it.

Well, there you go, Nellie.

You'll like this guy Max Henderson.

He's number 7 in the country, number 5 in the country with his seven field goal makes.

He's number 1 in the country in kick points.

He's got 48 kick points through the first five games.

That's the number 1 kick points for any kicker in the entire country.

Gets a chance.

He's already added one tonight so he's up to 49.

He's going to be going for number 52 right here in a tie game.

Kick is on its way and the kick is good.

We're tied at ten.

Fun.

First half Wayne.

Fun first half.

And what execution a minute on the clock.

You get the ball inside your 21 time-out.

Really never had to take it until you wanted to.

The tack on the three.

What a drive there.

And and now we see why Coach Sharp was calling those time-outs.

He was very confident that he could get his team the ball back.

They could move the ball like that.

And stick around.

Coming up at halftime John Nelson will have this week's edition of Make That Kid an offer.

And I cannot stress strongly enough somebody needs to make some bodies need to make Tyler Niehr an offer.

I saw you struggle with.

Not really concerned that he's 581 65.

If you just saw tonight's game, I think that would convince you enough that you can find a place for this guy.

He can find receivers down the field, spread the ball out.

He doesn't throw the ball from the pocket like he's five, nine, five, eight.

He throws it like he's six four.

He has good vision down the field.

So now he's going to kick off.

And this is going to get to the end zone.

Kick off goes through the end zone for a touchback.

There is a flag down on the field I think that's a flag.

Or is that just a piece of something.

I think maybe just a piece of something.

On the mouthpiece.

Mouthpiece at the 42.

So get this.

So we just saw another piece of the Tyler Niehr package and that's he can kick off and kick it into the end zone and out of the back of the end.

Zone, in and out of the end zone.

We were joking.

About starting quarterback.

When's the last time you saw the quarterback placekicker combo George Blanda.

Some football I never watched.

Yeah.

Back in those single.

Bar face.

Mask, single bar.

The big thigh pads.

Yeah.

The loose jersey.

Put it this way.

It's been a long time.

It's been a long time.

So 6 seconds left in the half.

Let's see if North Cobb tries to do something with it.

Here.

He's got Belyeu back in the game and they're just going to take a knee.

And we're going to go to halftime tied 1010.

Out.

So Wayne we're tied 1010 here.

Going to the locker room.

But it feels a lot like North Paulding winning the game right now.

Definitely feels like they have dominated that first half.

The big play and the big runs by Belyeu keeping North Cobb in this game.

Yeah, that's been the story for the Warriors has been Zach Belyeu and it's time now for our halftime interview.

It is brought to you by Johnny's New York Style pizza.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria.

Thank you very much, Matt.

Let's talk about this slice of the game with the coach and run on the pocket and rolling out.

He's been hard to catch and you've got ten points on the board.

You're moving the ball on that defense.

Yeah we are.

We just have a couple penalties, holding penalties, self-inflicted things that are killing drives.

I think if we eliminate those things, start moving our feet.

When we're blocking guys, I think we can move the ball and put up some more points.

And on the flip side, it's been the two chunk plays and that's it.

Yeah, two fits on run.

And a couple of missed tackles.

One of them was a misfit.

The other one was a couple missed tackles.

You know that back's pretty strong and good.

And you know, if we can keep them bottled up, I think we'll be all right.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you.

Guys.

That is the low down here at the break honors.

Even from the den.

When we come back, the halftime show, we catch up with our friends, get, you know, what's going on around the state.

And here at North Paulding, here on the great GPB Football Fridays continues after this.

DBHDD is launching Red ribbon 365 a year round alcohol and drug prevention curriculum for Georgia schools and families from kindergarten through high school.

Students learned to make healthy, drug free choices with fun, age appropriate lessons and monthly activities.

The curriculum can be downloaded for free at Red ribbon 365.

Football Fridays in Georgia on GPB is brought to you in part by Cigna.

Together all the way.

Cigna Healthcare is a proud partner of Georgia Public Broadcasting and Football Fridays.

Cigna Healthcare mission is to improve the health and vitality of those we serve.

Visit Cigna to learn how you can support your physical and emotional well-being.

So.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey what's up man?

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted driving isn't a game when you lose on the road, it could lead to a crash.

So when you get behind the wheel, put the distractions aside, drive hands free, and save lives.

Heads up Georgia.

Welcome back.

Halftime show here on Football Fridays in Georgia from the den honors even 1010.

The late field goal creates the equalizer for the home side.

Here.

Winner here.

Inside track.

Top seed on the region and the region.

Title and all the home games that can come with it.

Let's take a peek around the state.

Let you know what is going on in some of the other scores that are going on.

As we turn it to page one, Perry in East Coweta.

This one has been back and forth all night long.

It was 21 14 last time we checked.

It is now once again tied at 21.

Second quarter North Gwinnett and Parkview.

This one has been all North Gwinnett.

It was 35.

Nothing.

Third quarter.

North Gwinnett with the lead there.

Hebron Christian blessed Trinity.

You figured that one was going to be a low scoring game.

No real surprises in that one.

Sandy Creek putting the pedal down on Trinity Christian.

We can update that.

127 nothing at the break.

Also on the board, Brooks and Pierce, you figured that one was low scoring.

Once again, no surprise.

You go to the next page North County and Fitzgerald.

That one's moving quickly.

That one might be done by the time we actually finish halftime.

It was three.

Nothing.

Last time we checked top ranked team in the class.

Also Rickards from Tallahassee in Colquitt County.

Rickards had the one touchdown in the first that has held on to the second quarter.

Also Archer and Newton.

Newton was up 21-14 They're now up 28-14 Benedictine and Westminster at Fritz or that is our web game.

Cody Chaffins on the call for that.

That one has been all Benedictine second quarter and West Side.

Augustine and Aquinas, the two best teams in that particular part of the of the state in the CsrA.

That one is tied.

Second quarter.

It is now time to catch up with our friends from Cigna and catch up with our signature moment.

Once again, Cigna lets us know what is important going on around the state.

Here is their latest message for all of us here on Football Fridays.

Vaping is popular with Georgia teens and many mistakenly think it's safer than smoking.

Here to share helpful information on kicking the habit is Tara Jackson, vice president of Existing business, National Accounts.

Tara.

How worried should parents be that their kids are vaping?

Hannah.

Vaping is a big problem.

One in four Georgia teens indicate they utilize an electronic cigarette.

In the past 30 days.

Although most of us know that smoking cigarettes is dangerous to our health.

A third of teens mistakenly think that it's safe.

Actually, nicotine is highly addictive, and vapes, which is a risk for teens because their brains are still developing even vapes that don't have nicotine have toxic chemicals that can impact lungs and cause cancer.

Why are vaping numbers on the rise among teens?

Besides teens mistakenly thinking that vaping is safe is safe.

Some teens think that it's more socially acceptable than smoking.

What should parents do to help their kids kick this habit?

Talk to your teen.

Ask them why are they vaping?

Are they acting out?

Are they trying to fit in?

Do they somehow think vaping is helping them cope with stress?

Talk with your kids pediatrician on nicotine addiction.

Also, most employers offer an employee assistance program that covers the cost of smoking cessation programs.

Tara, this is so important, especially with these rising numbers.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you.

If you'd like to learn more about teens and vaping, please visit cigna.com.

Great message from our friends as always from Cigna.

Our signature moment.

Part of Football Fridays here in the state of Georgia.

Now it's time to catch up with our friends at the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and find out what is going on, because it is Child Passenger Safety Week coming up around the corner.

Here's our latest news from them.

Take a listen.

Welcome back.

Time to find out more information about Child Passenger Safety Week September 21 through 27 we get to hang out with our friend Nikki de la Concha Nazario from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Thanks for dropping by.

Thanks so much for having me.

First question out of the box.

Why is it so important to make sure that the child safety seats are inspected on a regular basis?

So it is very important to make sure that seats are inspected on a regular basis, because kids do tend to grow.

And as they grow, we definitely need to make sure that we make the proper adjustments and make sure that that seat is still installed properly in the vehicle.

All right.

So what are some resources parents can use to become more informed about the week itself?

So throughout that week there are going to be several events throughout the state of Georgia where families can attend and get some more education on child passenger safety and to make sure that their car seats are installed properly.

And it ends on a Saturday with something very special.

That's right.

So Saturday is going to be seat check Saturday.

And on that day throughout the state of Georgia, there are going to be plenty of inspection stations where you can go and have your car seat checked to make sure that your car seat is installed properly, and that you know how to use it yourself.

All right, hit me with the big website so folks can find out more.

So that website is going to be GA Highway Safety dot.

What she said child passenger safety week.

Taylor into September.

That is word from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

The heads up Georgia Student Video contest is back.

If you're a Georgia high school student, we need your help to spread the message.

Make a 32nd PSA about the dangers of distracted driving, and you could win a MacBook Pro.

Great words, as always, from our friends at the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and a reminder about the heads up Georgia campaign that once again, remember seat check.

Saturday, September 27.

Remember seat check.

Saturday, September 27.

Go get your your car seats checked so they are in tip top shape so you can stay in tip top shape around the state of Georgia.

That is part of the Football Fridays in Georgia halftime.

When we come back, we'll catch up with our friends at U save it, find out who is our U save it student athlete of the week.

We'll find out what's going on here at North Paulding.

Football Fridays in Georgia halftime show continues coming up on the other side of the break.

Honors even at ten big region matchup here on the great GPB stick and stay.

We'll be right back.

Half of the nation's opioid overdoses happen right at home.

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Support for this program comes from Northside Hospital Orthopedics, a proud sponsor of Georgia High school football from physicians and athletic trainers to physical therapists and performance nutritionists, Northside Hospital provides holistic sports medicine care to student athletes across Georgia.

At Northside, we're committed to caring for Georgia's student athletes and their families on and off the field.

Northside Hospital Orthopedics because Georgia moves us and we keep Georgia moving from ninth grade through graduation, Georgia Futures provides tools to help you plan and pay for college, as well as prepare you for your career beyond high school.

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Welcome back to The Den here at North Paulding, once again tied at ten region title at least early claims to the region title and the number one seed hanging in the balance for the final 24 minutes.

When we get the second half kicked off here at North Paulding High School, now it is time to catch up with our friends at You Save It.

And for this, we take a trip to Moultrie to catch up with a very highly touted prospect.

But there is more to the story of Jay Lamar.

Here's the word from our friends at you.

Save it.

I got shot in the ninth grade.

I mean, I was 1 " away from my main artery.

Obviously, I was headed down the wrong path.

They just needed a little guidance at the time.

But he turned out to be a great kid.

Be his only his second year of playing high school football.

He's got a lot to learn about the running back position, and I tell everybody his best football is ahead.

He's not a finished product.

Jay can do some things that that that a lot of kids cannot.

And he's blessed.

And obviously us having him on our team.

We are blessed in that same sense.

Jake and Flat Daggum run when he gets vertical, he's really hard to catch.

I'm determined to get a touchdown every time I touch the ball.

As always, great to find out what our friends at you save it can find.

When it comes to the great student athletes around the state of Georgia.

Fantastic trip to Moultrie and catching up with Jay Lamar down at Colquitt County.

Now it's time to find out what's going on with our friends at Georgia's EMC.

And let's just say this particular trip to Lowndes had a lot of moving parts.

Here's this week's Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award.

Banquet, EMC and 35 other participating Georgia Electric membership cooperatives congratulate Lowndes High on winning the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award.

This award honors schools that exhibit exemplary sportsmanship during competitive events.

Only one school in each region in each classification is chosen to receive this annual award.

The GHSA takes into consideration all aspects of sportsmanship, making the award a tribute to the entire community.

Colquitt, EMC and Georgia EMC are excited to sponsor the cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award.

We're excited to present this award to the Lowndes High School Vikings for their outstanding sportsmanship in all sports areas.

Congratulations!

Go Vikings!

Introduced in 2006, this award reinforces the GHSA philosophy that everyone associated with high school activities, from athletes to spectators, should adhere to the fundamental values it represents.

Our goal this year is to lead with heart and strength in order to build a legacy.

So to me, being awarded this just means that our kids are doing the right things on the field as well as in the classroom and in our community.

Winning this award.

We are honored because it is a testament to our one Lowndes mentality.

You know, we pride ourselves on not just being good at the major sports, but everything.

It's exciting to be able to show other people beyond our community what it means to be part of the one Lowndes family.

This community really has a lot of buy in.

The energy is always in the room when we have our students in, in the schools or on the field, and to be able to showcase that across the state of Georgia really is something we're very proud of.

Georgia EMC in the 36 participating Georgia Electric membership cooperatives are proud to sponsor the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award.

Congratulations to the Lowndes Community.

And our man Jesse Young was on the ones and twos piece.

And that one together.

Thanks to Chris and Nathan and Jesse for putting that together.

And thanks to all of our friends from Lowndes who when they said, you know, we're just going to have a couple of student athletes and maybe a couple of folks there to to talk to about this thing, I did not anticipate going into the auditorium and finding 400 student athletes and the horn section from the Georgia Bridgeman.

Fantastic stuff from our friends at Lowndes, Colquitt, EMC and the Cooperative Spirit, Sportsmanship Award.

Going to break one more time.

We come back.

We're going to find out what's going on here at North Paulding.

And our favorite segment there, Matt and me, where we point at the camera.

And one of the players this week, you've seen him tonight, Moore from The Den coming up after this on the great GPB.

So.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey what's up man.

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted driving isn't a game when you lose on the road, it could lead to a crash.

So when you get behind the wheel, put the distractions aside, drive hands free, and save lives.

Heads up Georgia.

With boots on the ground and suspended mid-air, our line workers are everywhere.

Behind every turn switch are those who put it all on the line to illuminate lives down the line.

Their job is as honorable as it is rigorous.

As we look on with admiring eyes, we want them to know we are grateful.

Georgia's electric membership cooperative celebrate the life sustaining contributions of our line workers.

Storm or shine.

Thank you for being our lifeline.

Georgia's EMC is so much more than electricity.

Welcome back to North Paulding and here at The Den.

Once again honors even.

We're getting you ready for the second half here on a big region game early in the region schedule for both North Cobb and North Paulding, we'll catch up with Shane Queen as we get you ready for the third quarter.

We're going to catch up with folks here at North Paulding coming up in just a little bit.

But actually, tell you what, let me put my hand down and I'll change hands because it's that time where we tour the state.

You help us out.

We help everybody out by letting all of the colleges know who you should sit there and go make that kid an offer.

This week we start with Caden Stancil, Dutchtown linebacker, six foot two, 20, finished his junior year 65 total tackles, ten TfL, 11 hurries.

Member of the varsity team since the ninth grade.

Found his rhythm on the field, playing multiple positions, including D, tackle, D and now linebacker.

Also has got a 3.5 GPA, make Caden stand Steele an offer class of 26.

Benjamin Plemmons from Chestatee two way player 59, 190.

A running back, middle linebacker for the War Eagles 409 rushing yards, five scores, 26 tackles, two picks so far this year.

Last season 1,424 yards, 17 scores, 11 catches for 182 and two scores, also a 3.9 GPA.

Make that war Eagle and offer Noah Stanley Utopian Academy 61, 185.

Senior wideout defensive back so far this year nine catches for 65 yards, one touchdown, eight tackles and three picks.

Stanley, according to his coach, has experienced several transfers and sacrifices, but it hasn't stopped him from performing on the field.

Just last week, MaxPreps places him on the stat leader list statewide for picks, ranking him at number 15.

Make Noah Stanley an offer and last up from this game.

Presley Carr North Paulding, wide receiver junior, 510, 165 last week against Cherokee.

Six catches for 100 19-2 scores.

The first year starter, not afraid of hard work working on his skills, attending camps during the summer, rigorous drills, running as well.

And he's got a 3.8 GPA.

Presley Carr make that kid an offer.

That's it for this week.

You saw four of those athletes make those kids offers.

Ashton Turner, Grayson, class of 27, also on the list.

In addition to Corey Crumley from Eastside.

Also on the list, class of 27 chance Ross, Jasper County in Monticello.

He is also on the list at running Back and Presley Carr was the last one you saw in the package, last one on the list, and that means it's time to catch up with the AP and the ad.

Ryan, come on in, doctor Ryan Dyer here.

He's going to answer the questions.

It's kind of like, you know, circular ways that we put things together.

Presley Carr was the last athlete we had for make that kid an offer.

And now I bring in you to find out what's going on at North Paulding.

So, comma, he asked, what's going on at North Paulding these days?

Oh, everything.

It's a great, great school, great environment.

I'm so glad you guys are here.

We have over 3,000 students and a new addition here at our school.

And athletically, academically just been here for 15 years.

No better place in the state.

All right, so what's this new addition that you're talking about?

So it's a three story, multi-million dollar addition just to help us out with classrooms and availability for students to move around freely.

And it's really enhanced the overall culture and climate of our school.

What's it been like for you over the last decade plus to see this place grow and evolve to where it is now, where you're making those three additions and you're having this place packed on your side of the sidelines?

Yes, sir.

I think that the biggest thing is just I'll never be able to pay back North Paulding for what it's done for myself and my family.

We first came here 15 years ago.

We never dreamed that this would be what we're sitting here, so it's amazing.

For someone who who hasn't been here.

And they wander into the district.

What is it about that the academics.

That is special.

What's going on awards wise, that folks need to know about?

Because it is academics and arts and athletics, all of that wrapped up into one.

Yeah.

So we're one of the top academic schools in the state.

The biggest thing that I always harp on, I think our principal, Gabe Carmona, does a great job of saying is our culture and climate, and we're all about people over programs.

We want to be people first, and it's amazing.

All right, so let me look over my shoulder.

Okay.

We got about a minute when you brought Coach Stark in six seasons ago.

I think that now he is now tied for the longest tenure of any coach here in the history of the program.

What's it been like for him as a part of the athletic program, to build what you've seen here at North Paulding, where you're getting the region titles and those kinds of things, and the winds are growing and you're getting into the playoffs every year.

Yeah, no doubt Coach Stark is the hardest worker in this building.

By a long shot.

I always try to beat him to work.

This guy is here when I leave.

He's just old fashioned.

He he's not real flashy, but he's going to line up, and he's going to outwork you.

And I love that guy.

Doc, it's always great to catch up with you.

Thanks for being a great host all week long here on Football Fridays.

We'll catch up with you soon, my friend.

That is it for halftime when we come back, Shane Queen will find out what's going on in the North Cobb side of things.

Get you ready for the second 24 minutes.

We're tied at ten.

Somebody's got to win this.

Somebody gets the inside track to the one seed.

More coming up on the great GPB after this.

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Back at halftime, at the den, at North Paulding in Dallas, Georgia.

Wolfpack and North Cobb tied at ten.

Fun first half North Paulding though, like we said, go into the locker room.

You really feel like they're leading right now.

Even though they had a field goal in the final seconds to tie it up, going to the locker.

Room feel like they dictated the pace in that first half.

Pressure on defense and then the efficiency on offense.

Even though it's a 1010 score, you really still feel like the momentum is with North Paulding.

All right, let's send it down to John for our halftime interview is delivered by Johnny's New York style pizza.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria.

Back up.

Tell me when.

Kenny.

I can do this on the fly if you need me to.

As.

He sends a check to Bryson Niehr.

All right.

We're having trouble with our communication with John Nelson down on the field.

Wayne, let's take a look at your first half highlights.

Started out with a 40-4 yard touchdown run.

Touchdown drive, and Tyler Neal capped it with the pass to Simpson.

Then the big run here by Zach Belew to get his team back in this game at seven seven.

Had to keep his pants from falling down.

He was running so fast.

And then blew another huge run.

This is a 57 yarder, but they didn't get six out of it.

Having to settle for three.

Giving North Paulding time to work their two minute drill.

Big pass right there to Bryce Davis to set their team up for another field goal.

Try Hernandez get the field goal.

We're tied at ten.

Let's try John Nelson again.

John go ahead.

And they held you to ten points though, even though you were getting all of those yards.

Yeah they've controlled the clock.

They've had 37 offensive plays.

We've got to get off the field on third down.

The quarterback's throwing the ball very well, but we've got to do a better job of getting off the field and sustain drives.

Also on offense we went backwards the first two drives.

It's hard to call plays when you're playing behind the chains.

And at the same time defensively you've got a quarterback who's on the run, rolling the pocket out to the right, and he's getting all of those routes to the sideline getting gashes on you.

Yeah, he's doing a great job.

We've got to take that away.

And we've got to do a better job in man coverage.

We're letting some guys run free and we're going to work on that this half.

Thanks for your time.

Yes, sir.

Go, Warriors.

There you go.

That's the rundown of the first 20:04 minutes.

Let's find out what happens in the second 20:04 back upstairs to Matt and Wayne.

All right.

Thank you.

Nellie.

Matt Stewart and Wayne Gandy with you upstairs.

And if we have a chance to take a look at those first half stats, you'll see exactly what Coach Queen was talking about.

When you look at the number of plays that have been run and the time of possession and the first downs, yeah.

When you look at it, the time of possession, that's what North Paulding wanted to do.

Be able to eat up the clock and control the pace of the game, and then passing the ball has just been great.

By near, that whole half, he dominated throwing the ball.

And your second half kickoff is brought to you by heads up, Georgia, Park your phone while you're driving.

It saves lives and North Cobb on the return.

Right here across the 30 is a flag comes flying out on the return by Sebastian Easley.

They have not been able to get the ball in Easley hands enough.

He's a ten, nine, 100 guy and he's had only a few touches in the first half.

They've got to find a way to get this offense crunk up through the air.

When you look at the statistics, only about 35 yards in that first half by someone other than Zach Belyeu, you can't just have one guy making all the plays.

The play we have holding on the receiving team, that penalty will be declined.

We have a block in the back on the receiving team.

That penalty will be accepted.

The penalty will be half the distance to the goal.

First down.

So that's going to back up.

North Cobb after they got a good return out of, Easley.

And let's see where they're going to put this ball down.

At the seven and a half.

Yard line.

Wow.

It's going to be inside the ten yard line.

Just not how you wanted to stop.

Coach Queen start this second half trying to get the penalties, trying to get the negative plays out of this system.

But you got to get the ball.

Zach Belyeu he only had four carries, four touches in that first half.

And two of his touches went for 67 and 57 yards.

Dominating force.

Continue to use him.

He's a young man.

He's a sophomore.

And he's in there to start the second half.

They go play action and the pass is complete out here on the edge to Guimaraes Iago Guimaraes for just his fourth catch of the year.

But he's a highly rated prospect.

There's a flag down on the field.

Out of bounds.

Play.

Maybe a face mask.

Personal foul face mask on the defense.

That penalty is 15 yards from the end of the run.

First down.

So the Wolfpack just gift him those 15 yards back that they lost on the kick return.

Just right here.

You see the left hand right there.

Just pulling on the face of the receiver.

There.

So first and ten ball is sitting on the 32 as the Warriors push it out from underneath their own goal post.

And the handoff goes to Belyeu.

And Belyeu gets wrapped up at the line of scrimmage.

First time they've been able to do that most of the night.

And Rakestraw in there on the tackle.

Penetration something this defense, whether it's the defensive line or run, blitzing North Paulding as we saw, other than the big runs, have really been tough against the run, regardless of the back.

I mean, I would think that Rakestraw is a potential college prospect, too.

At 62, 270 junior, he's very he's dominant.

He's a great wrestler.

Jarrard stands in the pocket and fires complete up to the 40 yard line.

That's going to be short of the first down as the ball goes to Guimaraes.

Again.

They're going to get Madden Fredenburg right here with a push after the play in the back.

Of Grant Henderson, that's a terrible time to just pushing Grant Henderson, who looks a little wobbly as he is coming off the field but just shoved him in the back at the end of the play to the ground.

Not only is that not very nice, it's going to cost your team 15 yards.

Let's hope that Grant Henderson is okay.

One of the senior leaders over there on the defensive front.

They haven't marked off the penalty just yet.

Don Stark out there.

After the play.

Dead ball, personal foul on the offense.

That penalty is 15 yards.

Third down.

Wow.

So instead of third down and two now you're facing third down and 17.

And Henderson jogging back out on the field.

But just a bad break showing little signs of being able to throw the ball.

Get the ball out quickly there.

Jarrard just a terrible situation on your side of the field to be in this down and distance.

So third down and 17.

Now ball at the 25 yard line.

Jarrard has to step up to avoid the rush.

And now he's going to go down Rakestraw with the quarterback sack back at the 20 yard line.

His fifth quarterback sack of the season.

Taking Madden Fredenburg out of the game, replacing him with Nathan Lawrence Harris right there and Grant Henderson with a great get off and the pressure off the edge pushing Teddy Jarrard up in the pocket for the tackle by our man Rakestraw.

Yeah, Nathan Lawrence Harris his replacement.

Just a freshman.

Tough environment to stick a freshman in there on third down and 17.

And North Paulding was able to capitalize on it as Rakestraw is having a great game here tonight.

He was number six in the nation in the heavyweight division in a national wrestling tournament over the summer.

You love those guys that can wrestle fourth down, punting situation.

Castro gets it out of there.

Fair catch is called for and made at the 47 yard line by Simpson.

So North Paulding going on offense.

Great field position for their first possession of the third quarter.

Similar to the first half where they started their first possession, their second possession in positive territory.

Now can they capitalize, as I said, complimentary football.

When your defense blesses you with the ball on the opponent's side of the field, you got to go punch some points on the board.

So 1010 early third quarter 10:21 on the third quarter clock.

So lots of time here as North Paulding goes on offense.

Tyler Niehr spectacular first half 15 of 17 passing for 193 and a touchdown.

And the two incompletions were drops by his wide receivers.

He has been nearly perfect.

A moody the tight end with the catch bust out of a couple of tackles and a moody gets about 8 yards on the play.

Ortega, moody, showing us that athleticism and the burst that he has as well.

Six feet 235 but very aggressive after he catches the ball.

Good read.

There.

Read option.

Getting the ball out to the flat to the tight end.

Tight end falling forward for four or five extra yards.

There is a moody.

Don Stark was not lying when he said he's got really quality high school football players.

They're just not quite as big or quite as fast as some of the 3-4 stars.

But he's got some good players and they're showing it here tonight.

Some really good players, heavy rush near.

That's his first true incompletion of the night.

Let's check in with John.

Update on Grant Henderson.

He is in the medical tent.

They've taken off the right cleat and the right shoe and the right sock.

And right now they're just retaping that right ankle.

As you could see, he was kind of listing a little bit when he came off the field after the last defensive set.

It's Retaped socks going back on.

Coach.

Ask him.

We are here about finishing.

Are you going to finish?

Grant nodded his head.

He's ready to go.

Great report there, Nelly.

Appreciate that.

Yeah.

Grant Henderson they cannot afford to not have him on the field in the second half.

Third down and short here for the Wolfpack.

Out of motion.

Trying to get the defense to declare.

Handoff goes to Darian Smith and he's not going to get the first down as Richards from the linebacker spot comes up and makes the stop.

And now it's going to be fourth down.

Nice job of Lewis Richards right there.

The outside linebacker getting off the block of Womack to fall back into that play.

What do.

You do?

It's fourth down right here.

You're still in the way that Tyler Niehr is throwing the ball.

You have to trust him right here.

You can't.

You got to take advantage of this field position.

And remember he's also your punter so he can quick kick this ball too.

If you decide to do that, there is nobody back for North Cobb.

North Cobb showing the blitz.

A lot of bodies up in the line.

Near fires.

Oh, drop.

That was a first down catch right there.

Right on the money.

That's the third time he's put it right on the money and had a receiver drop the ball.

That was Trey Walkabout that time.

And now Trey has to walk about to the sideline stepping aside.

Ball goes on.

Downs to North Cobb.

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Georgia.

843 to play in the third quarter.

We're tied here at ten in Dallas, Georgia, looking for smart screen time.

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Visit gpb.org slash go.

Matt Stewart Wayne Gandy Jon Nelson.

Thanks for joining us!

First ever visit to the Den at North Paulding.

It's been a fun game.

Now the Warriors go back on offense first and ten at their own 40 yard line.

Pressure has been the name of the game here for North Paulding can they create it once again?

Bringing the blitz.

Handoff goes to Echols.

Echols wrapped up at the line of scrimmage.

No place to run with the ball right there, and there's Rakestraw again.

Rakestraw just throwing people out of the club using that leverage.

You talked about being a wrestler.

That's what wrestling teaches you how to get leverage.

And he is just not going to be moved inside.

Pushing and penetrating is Wesley Rakestraw.

Six total tackles, two TfL for Rakestraw tonight.

It's second down.

To the air.

Jarrard long throw complete out there at the 45 yard line as they go to Billingsley.

Fifth catch of the game for Billingsley.

Right here showing you the arm talent.

Long out Routte get it out quick.

Nice tackle there by Lentz out in the open space.

And here we go.

Third down.

This is what Coach Queen talked about.

Can his team sustain drives.

Ball sitting at the 44 line to gains the 50 Jarrard heavy rush setting up the screen pass.

And it gets blown up right away by Daboll.

Screen went to Echols and Dabbelt was there immediately.

And it's fourth down.

Dangerous pass right here by Teddy Jarrard.

Just kind of throwing it in the area of the white jerseys right there.

And luckily Echols comes up with it.

But a nice read by Dapo to bring him down on the screen play trying to throw the screen against the pressure defense and a nice tackle there by the outside linebacker.

Dabo.

So fourth down and a punting situation right here.

Castro back into punt and Simpson is standing deep back at the 26 waiting on it.

They're going to fake it fake.

And it's not read by North Paulding.

That's a first down as Belyeu runs to the 38 yard line.

North Paulding bit on the fake Castro did a great job at that punter position of selling it, and a first down for North Cobb.

Great job here by Zach Belyeu.

Great execution up front by the line.

And then here.

Just a convoy of white jerseys.

If you would have slowed up right there.

Just a second.

Let his tight end get out in front of him.

Could have been an even bigger play, but he was making sure and securing that his team got that first down.

I'm thinking that Castro takes acting classes because he sold that thing perfectly.

He had North Paulding defenders running towards a ball that wasn't there.

And so it's first and ten.

The ball is at the 38.

Again, Belyeu does something big for his team and gets the rest on the sideline.

Echols back in.

Delay of game on the offense.

That penalty is 5 yards still.

First down.

Seemed like a rather quick block, but back him up 5 yards to the 43.

15.

I think Coach Queen thought it was more of a dead ball time that the ball wouldn't be snapped until the offense ran it.

Play clock had already started.

Team coming out on the field late.

So first and 15 ball at the 43.

Let's go.

Echols in there at running back.

Jarrard going to dump it off to Echols and Echols bust out of one tackle and Echols down the sideline still on his feet.

Takes about four or five guys to get him out of bounds at the 26.

But there is a flag down.

Play.

Good job of Echols that time.

Being able to break the tackle of Lentz Lentz coming up with the hit, not able to bring the big back down.

61, 228 senior.

But this looks like it's going to go back holding.

On the offense.

That penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot.

Replay first down.

Right here right there.

As you can see, slinging Madden Fredenburg slinging the end down.

Never.

Your body as an offensive lineman is in that that swaying kind of position.

And you're throwing guys down.

They're going to call that especially in that situation.

You might recognize the name Fredenburg.

His dad, Mike, starred here for the Warriors and then went on to play for the Georgia Bulldogs.

They were down in Cocoa Beach and he moved back home to Acworth, Georgia.

He's teaching and coaching there at North Cobb, and his son Mike is or Madden, I should say, is playing on the offensive line.

Jarrard throwing on the run, nearly threw an interception.

He was just trying to throw the ball away.

I think Jayden Bryant was there in the vicinity of the errant pass, and Dabbelt should have had an interception.

Just a consistent and I think it kind of surprised Dabo that he would even be throwing the ball in that situation.

Really nowhere to throw the ball.

Just trying to make something happen.

Almost a bad play there for Jarrard, but the constant pressure that this d the hustle of the D line.

Just not not enough time for Jarrard to even set up and survey the field.

The four star Jarrard is only nine of 13 for 42 yards.

He's been sacked twice.

Again, the screen he throws it in traffic and nearly intercepted trying to go to Billingsley.

That's the second time that Jarrard has thrown a screen in harm's way.

Trying to hit Billingsley underneath and just led him to the big hit right there of Rakestraw as he tried to come underneath, right here on the screen.

Rakestraw sees the screen, retraces his step and delivers the big hit right there.

Him and Levi Hilty right there on the stop.

So now it's third down and 25 and we're under 6 minutes to play here in the third quarter.

Third and forever.

North Paulding has been dialing up blitzes this down and distance, forcing the quick throw by Jarrard.

Jarrard going up top for the long ball and broken up inside the 20 yard line by Duru Obi Duru.

Nice man to man coverage there by Duru.

Got his head around, saw the ball, came underneath the receiver.

Big arm right there by Jarrard but a better break.

Feeling the receiver coming underneath.

Easley right there is Duru to break that up.

Yeah.

Duru giving up some size there too.

He's only a 58, 160 junior, but wow, he's had quite a season already.

Had a quarterback sack here tonight.

So three on the season.

Nearly had his third pick right there.

And North Paulding going to get the ball back.

And Duru stays back to field the punt this time.

Short punt going to go out of bounds.

Let's see where they spot this.

North Paulding might get a really good spot out of this.

They haven't measured it just yet.

Now it looks like they're going to spot it at the 38.

So the Wolfpack going to get great field position out of this North Cobb unable still to do anything with the ball.

They have 142 yards rushing tonight.

That came basically on two carries by Belyeu and they have 42 yards passing.

Still having an issue picking up the pressure receivers, breaking off routes.

And right now they just have Teddy Jarrard on his back.

He'll not able to deliver the ball.

Tyler Niehr has got the offense back out there.

Got to admire what the Wolfpack have been able to do from a game plan standpoint here tonight.

Near on the spin move, dumps it off.

It's complete.

And that's going to be close to a first down.

It is a first down at the 48 yard line as Bowen Carpenter picks up his second reception of the game.

But there's a flag out and probably coming back.

Greg Norton, our official.

An receiver downfield by the offense.

That penalty is 5 yards replay.

First down.

Play action faked by the offensive line.

You have to watch how far you go.

You're trying to sell that run.

Let the play action fake.

Draw the defense.

But you got to stay within a yard or two of that line of scrimmage and not find yourself just drifting down the field.

And that's what they call right there.

Please reset the game clock to 450.

So they're going to put 15 seconds back on the game clock.

What did we do.. Instead of a first down at the 48.

It's going to be first and 15 back at the 32.

Near guns it to the far side complete to Simpson Simpson getting a lot of it back.

Breaks out of a tackle Simpson down the sideline.

Touchdown North Paulding.

14.

Touchdown.

Told there's a flag down at the 45 yard line.

Looks like it's coming back, which is a shame because Kingslee Simpson spun out of a tackle and raced to the touchdown.

Big call here.

Tyler Niehr is reacting the quarterback as though he's against his team.

Pass interference on the offense.

That penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot.

First down.

Did they run a pick play?

Didn't really see.

I didn't.

Pick on that play right there.

Little good job and a good route by Simpson here.

Let's see if we can see the pick play.

Not sure.

Just a good block out on the edge there by Davis.

Didn't really see a pick play.

I never saw any pass interference.

That was not a pick play.

What we saw right there.

Wolfpack.

Just a bad break.

North Paulding came out big with the big play.

Nice shot by Simpson now first and forever.

But we've seen this team play with confidence and get big chunk plays.

Tyler Niehr is on fire throwing the ball.

So first and 30.

Wiping out the touchdown.

Off the hands of his target.

Intercepted.

Singleton's got the interception.

Might take it back and dragged down at the four yard line.

That is the there's a flag down too.

That is the first interception that near has thrown this season.

And that one wasn't his fault either.

Nice job coming underneath.

They've had success with this play all night long.

Bryce Davis coming underneath ball.

Hit him right in the hand.

Good throw.

Not able to come up knocking the ball into Marcus Singleton hands.

They do have a penalty.

The offense is still on the field.

Hands to the face by the offense.

That penalty is declined.

First down for North Cobb.

So North Cobb is going to have it first and goal to go after the interception by Marcus Singleton.

Tough break here for Tyler Niehr.

Again, a perfect pass.

Just gotta come up with that catch right there.

The senior Bryce Davis good pocket, good timing.

Ball is delivered right there.

Just didn't come up.

And Johnny on the spot is Singleton.

Nice job of near hustling to bring down and stopping the touchdown.. Near as 16 of 21.

He has five incompletions, four of them through the hands of his wide receivers.

So first and goal to go for North Cobb.

Hand off goes to Echols.

Echols tries to hurdle the pile and gets knocked down by Hilty.

Up the middle.

Two back package.

Echols and Belyeu in the backfield, trying to go with the size and the power of Echols once again, but you have to imagine Tyler Queen is going to get this ball to Belyeu in this set of downs.

Clark comes off the field.

He was in on that tackle with Hilty and now it's second down and goal from the three.

Belyeu gets the ball this time and Belyeu going to rumble into the end zone for the touchdown.

16-10 The super sophomore.

The most explosive player on this offense.

Got to get a touch.

Has to touch the ball a dominant running back right here showing you the speed.

Nice pull on the outside there by Brandon Anderson.

The big right tackle leading the way getting behind the block is Bell.

You touchdown once again for that young man.

Six carries for 154 and a couple of touchdowns.

Now he's got both touchdowns for the Warriors tonight.

And the P-a-t is up and good.

And it's 17-10 North Cobb on top with under 4 minutes to play here in the third quarter.

It started with the interception by Marcus Singleton.

Took it back inside the five.

And then Belyeu rings the bell.

1710 Warriors.

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No need to be afraid of bugs or Jon Nelson for that matter.

John very much.

Matt.

Time to go take the tour.

Also with an injury update down here on the North Paulding sideline.

Micah Johnson.

You'll remember part of the sophomore defensive backs that that Coach Stark has left with a hip injury late second quarter is not dressed out here for the second half.

So Coach Stark having to rework the back line on defense a couple of scores.

Peachtree Ridge final over Norcross, 24 22 Roswell winning big at the end of three.

Collinsville winning 16-0 after three.

Brookwood shutout.

Berkmar big win for North Gwinnett tonight over Parkview 53 six.

Web game a big win for Benedictine tonight over Westminster.

Back up to you.

That was the Coach Godfrey Bowl there at Parkview.

He went back Eric Godfrey went back to his alma mater.

They got a big win over the Panthers.

Kick will not be returned.

And so North Paulding now down 17-10 goes back on offense at the 20 yard line.

Want to give a shout out to Brenda Wood tonight.

She's watching at home.

Her husband Doug is the PA announcer here now in his 13th season calling the Wolfpack here at the den.

Okay I'll take my 20 bucks now.

And pass it down.

Doug.

Gotta keep him out of.

Trouble.

But thanks for watching at home.

We do appreciate that, Brenda.

So first and ten ball at the 20 yard line.

This Wolfpack offense has shown the ability to move the ball.

Now they have to go out.

They have to start closing some of these drives.

It's not good enough just to make some plays.

They got to get back to that tempo.

They played in that first half.

See if, Wolfpack can regroup a little bit here.

That's the first time they've kind of had adversity on the offensive side of the ball with the turnover, and they give the ball to Ayegba, and Ayegba is going to weave his way up to the 25 yard line, pick up 5 yards on the play.

Nice patience.

Once again we've seen with Ayegba and Smith these running backs young sophomores.

But they finish runs.

They're patient explosive in the hole.

So how about Ayegba 511, 170.

Sophomore started the week with four carries, three running backs go down in front of him.

He's got nine carries here tonight.

That was actually his tenth.

So he's more than doubled his carries for the entire season here in this game tonight.

Great opportunity for him.

And Smith to solidify their ability and make coach always no matter who comes back continue to play.

You.

Coaches always preaching next man up.

And now something going on over there on the North Cobb sideline.

The officiating staff is over there.

Talking to the coaches I don't I have no idea.

So we'll talking to the chain gang over there.

The crew help out.

Parker.

Not sure if the down and distance or.

Right.

So it sounds like a job for John Nelson.

He's making his way over there right now.

Our intrepid reporter, to figure out what's going on.

Whatever it is, they figured it out.

Second down and five.

Shifting motions.

That's what this offense likes to do.

Try to make the defense define what coverage they're in.

Agbor coming to the near side here.

Cut back up and gets four on the play up to the 29 yard line.

Good strong run for Agbor again as Trey Shaw comes up from his safety position to make the tackle.

I like the way right here.

Keeping your head up, realizing when to get upfield, getting underneath two defenders to pick up an extra yard or two and create third and one.

Here's Trey Shaw, the son of Josh Shaw, the former Cherokee head coach who's now on the staff of Shane Queen as the special teams coordinator and quarterbacks coach on this Warriors team.

With the hard count getting the defense to jump.

Everybody able to get back before the snap.

Third and one and Agbor stopped in his tracks.

And that was a mistake.

He gets driven back.

You got to be decisive.

Shaw was in there and so was Richards and a whole bunch of Warriors.

You can't stop.

It's like stopping on the interstate.

That's a bad decision.

Right here.

The penetration right here.

A lot of bodies, just nowhere to go with the ball.

White jerseys with the penetration stopping.

Good job Jordan Johnson over there as well.

Fourth down and now North Paulding punting as we go under 2 minutes to play here in the third quarter.

High snap no rush at all.

Near a booming kick.

They have not had a guy back all night.

And it bounces dead at the 34.

There is a flag down back at the 30.

So we'll check that penalty call right there.

They have such respect and fear maybe of what Niehr might do with the ball as a quarterback punter that they're not sending anybody back at all.

Punt safe.

When you got the starting quarterback out there at that position that down and distance, it's just better and safe to make sure everybody's accounted for.

You don't get a penalty and there's no trick play on.

And you talk about the shifting of this North Paulding defense.

That was really a point of emphasis for Shane Queen and a key to their game.

They had to.

During the return holding on the receiving team.

That penalty will be 10 yards from the end of the kick first down.

So backing up North Cobb even further than the 34 yard line.

Lewis Wolfpack defense has to go out, get their motors going again, and try to dictate to this North Cobb offense.

Really the only play that's been successful is getting the ball to Zach Belyeu, but you got to try to get this team and off the field and get the ball back to Tyler Niehr.

So John Nelson reports that the chain gang and the coaching staff over there on the North Cobb side had inadvertent contact, is the way they described it.

So it's tight quarters over there.

Guys are jamming up on the sidelines.

So, you know, it happens, but everything's okay now.

So the penalty backs him up to the 24 yard line.

So first and ten for the Warriors.

Been a fun game here.

First time we've ever been to Dallas Georgia and the Den at North Paulding.

And it has been entertaining as we near the end of the third quarter Quavy Echols there's Rakestraw.

My goodness Rakestraw he gets double pizza tonight.

He is in the backfield.

He has that just old school Chicago bear, 1982 Notre Dame.

Look to his style.

The old Penn State just physical throwing guys around inside.

And when he gets his mitts on you you don't go anywhere.

Second down Jarrard fires and it's incomplete.

Let's check in with John.

So my question to the two of you.

If we're carrying this Chicago Bears, Monsters of the midway analogy forward, does that mean that Rakestraw is Dan Hampton?

Richard Dent, Mongo McMichael?

What are we looking at here?

Yeah.

Any of those guys?

I mean, I mean, really I mean, he's.

He's Chris.

Chris Zorich, remember.

Chris.

Zorich out of Notre Dame went to Chicago I played against him.

He was that kind of guy.

Yeah Doug Plank and Gary Fencik in the secondary.

Doug Plank who later became the head coach of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League.

Pressure once again by the defense.

Jarrard running out of real estate throws.

It's caught on the sideline, but it's going to be ruled incomplete.

Guimaraes couldn't keep the feet down.

It's going to be fourth down.

Second and long, third and long.

Just dialing up the pressure once again, feeling they can play man on the back end and they're going to get the Teddy Jarrard before he gets the ball off.

Once again having great success doing that.

And forcing fourth down.

Through almost the end of three quarters.

This North Paulding defense has held North Cobb to 187 total yards.

, and about 180 has come from Belyeu.

In a sense, when you watch him run the ball.

Castro with the punt, it's a good one.

Simpson retreating, catches it at the 38 yard line, and that's where looks like Castro might be hurt again.

Looks like he's down.

I don't see a flag.

No flags.

But he's face down.

Hope he's okay.

Definitely laboring right here.

Let's see.

Right here at the end.

Anybody run up under him?

Oh.

Yeah.

Someone pushed got pushed at the end.

Referee feeling like he.

Oh there is a penalty right there.

It was underneath.

Yeah it was underneath.

Underneath the player okay.

There you go.

This one's coming back.

That's the second time they've run into Castro tonight.

Being aggressive going after the kick.

From our anger.

Looked like maybe they were going to say it was inadvertent contact.

Yeah.

And somebody pushed the defender into Castro.

We have running into the kicker on the defense.

That penalty would be five yards.

Still fourth down.

So it's not the roughing penalty.

And the 15 yard penalty and a first down.

It's just going to be running into.

Right here out a little out of control there.

You start thinking maybe he got shoved.

You know I don't I really don't understand what the the difference is there because the kid's standing on one leg, the one leg that's supporting his whole body.

I mean, so, you know, when is it roughing?

When is it?

When is it running into.

I think I think of running into making contact with the upper body.

But when you take a guy's leg out and he's standing on one leg.

He's in his most vulnerable position right there.

That's pretty rough because you're right.

Exactly.

That's when you get hurt.

So don't understand the difference in the call right there.

But it's a break for North Paulding.

Yeah.

And John said he heard Shane talking to the official talk about vulnerable.

And he's exactly right.

Dude.

Standing on one leg.

Duru let it go through his hands.

It's going to be scooped.

And that's going to be a. But North Cobb is going to have the ball right there.

You can't be.

I don't think they're saying that he touched the ball.

Let's see what the call is.

Not really sure that the side judge is.

I think that should be a muffed punt call, which you can't you can't advance.

First touching by blue, recovered by white first and ten.

Yeah.

North Cobb.

Yeah.

That's a muffed punt.

It's not returnable.

So North Cobb gets the ball right there.

Yeah, he touched it.

That's a hair that he got on it.

And you can see by his effort of getting up to chase the ball really close right there as the ball drops through his hands.

Just a ball.

He should have got away from.

In that situation, when you're trying to catch a punt, if you're not square up on the ball, you know it kind of moves on you.

You got to be square running into it right there just in bad position.

And at that point just yell whatever you call sign for people to get off away from the ball and get out of the way.

That was Duru.

Simpson has been the guy back there fielding punts most of the night.

Duru had done it once before tonight, and they blow the clock dead because the chains weren't set yet.

So now we'll resume with 32.9 on the third quarter clock and a great opportunity right here for the Warriors.

Handoff goes to Belyeu.

He's going to toss it back.

And the pass by Guimaraes is downfield.

Complete.

Guimaraes completes the ball downfield to.

Gunnar Jarrard.

At Jarrard.

Little reverse here.

Belyeu giving the ball first.

And North Cobb going with a little trickery to get some yardage down the field.

Yeah.

The sophomore Iago Guimaraes, who's got offers from UNLV, Georgia Southern and Purdue as a tenth grade wide receiver, completes that pass down to the 11 yard line on what now was the final play of the third quarter.

And so we are heading to the fourth in Dallas.

Big play here in the third quarter.

The interception by Singleton off the hands of the wide receiver.

Then Belyeu rumbling in North Cobb on top by seven.

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You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

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As we start up this fourth quarter.

Matt Stewart Wayne Gandy and John Nelson and North Cobb taking advantage of North Paulding mistakes here in the second half.

Lead by a touchdown and a chance to go up by two touchdowns.

Trying to punch it in once again off the turnover.

As we have talked about consistently tonight, this is that time where you feel like guys like Zach Belyeu should have a chance of making this a two touchdown game.

Echols in there at running back.

He gets the hand off and Quavy Echols trying to slip through a couple of tackles.

Finally gets stonewalled there at the line of scrimmage.

Echols trying to bounce the ball to the outside.

Just not able to do it here.

As you can see, following his offensive lineman running into the back of Brandon Anderson just rallying to the ball right here to make that play.

Donovan Day Paul Dabbelt Levi Hilty on the stop.

So second down and ten as Echols was just able to get back to the line of scrimmage.

Echols.

Ten carries for 16 yards.

Belyeu six carries for 154.

And now a time-out is going to be.

Called Time Out.

North Cobb.

That's their first charge.

Time out of the half.

So North Cobb Burns time-out here with 50-4 seconds elapsed in the fourth.

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Welcome back to The Den.

54 seconds into the fourth North Cobb trying to widen their lead.

Let's take the tour.

Let you know what else has been going on tonight.

You got a couple of winners.

Rome.

Big winner tonight by 52.

Monroe.

Big winner tonight in South Georgia by 47 Dublin A winner 42 13 Bennett Lake at 80:05 yard kickoff return for a score.

Big score in South Georgia.

Top ranked team in class A Worth County all over Fitzgerald 30-7 Flowery Branch and Eastside back and forth.

A one point game.

Flowery branch has scored on a 30 yard kick return on a botched punt.

8:00 to go.

They've got a one point lead.

Rockmart shut out Coahulla Creek.

Monroe area a win.

Langston Hughes, Matt big winner over Dutchtown by 43.

We'll see them next week.

Yeah, we will see the Panthers next week as they play host to the Newnan Cougars in a big region matchup down on the South side.

Handoff goes to Echols Echols bouncing through there inside the five yard line and down to the three.

Trying to spread this defense out.

Get their big back downhill right here with Echols the power back running behind his pads, breaking tackles right here.

Physical run inching even closer to that goal line.

So third down and.

About four.

They can pick up a first down without scoring the touchdown.

Now they got both Echols and Belyeu in the game.

And Echols bobbles the ball trying to get to the outside and does.

Touchdown North Cobb Quavy Echols takes it in.

Ironically it was his bobble that maybe offset the timing of everybody allowed him to score.

Nice job of being able to corral that ball by Echols the big fella here.

Little snap right there, able to bring it in.

You're right Matt.

The ball being bobbled kind of sucked the linebackers to explode through the hole.

Quavy Echols able to bounce to the outside and show you that flash of speed that he possesses as a big back.

So now it's 23-10 Hill on for the Pat.

And he pops it through 24-10 And now we're going to find out if North Paulding has a comeback in him.

And again this is North Cobb cashing in on mistakes by North Paulding.

Both of the touchdowns here for the Warriors in the second half Wayne have come on short drive because of turnovers.

Taking advantage of the turnovers.

Short field both of them rushing touchdowns.

The back's doing a good job right there.

Blocking for each other.

Nice pull by the offensive line.

Able to stretch this lead and put more pressure on North Paulding to be able to deliver in this next drive.

Four plays, 26 yards after the muffed punt by North Paulding.

And that is your DBHDD and the new red ribbon.

365 curriculum scoring drive.

It's been a tight game throughout here, but mistakes by North Paulding have put them in a hole.

Now we'll see if Tyler Niehr and this.

Wolfpack team can come back.

That's Tyler's brother Bryson right there.

He's had a nice night.

Six catches for 89 yards.

All of that in the first half, though.

He'll line drive, kick.

Going to go through near and all the way through the back of the end zone.

So ball comes out to the 20 yard line.

Here's the drive right here.

Can you stay in the game.

Can you keep pace here with 1019.

This is the drive that will basically kind of show you how the end of this game is going to go.

They got to go down, move this ball and you put seven on the board.

Did you see that live ball kickoff mistake by your Steelers this past.

Sunday Caleb Johnson.

Did y'all talk about that.

On your podcast.

Yes we did.

Did you say about that on the podcast.

Well I said you know, the biggest thing that hurt me was the casualness of how he ran off the field.

He didn't even run the.

Rules because he didn't know the rules.

So he thought they had the ball.

And that's the point where you got to go into the classroom and do better.

On the special teams.

It's amazing that they get to that level and don't know the rules.

He thought it was a dead ball that, you know, it's like a punt.

It just rolls into the end zone.

It's not.

It's a live ball.

Ball goes tossed to Darian Smith Darian Smith been a while since we called his name.

Nice strong run from him here in this fourth quarter.

Good blocking out on the edge by the receivers.

There.

Walkabout doing a good job.

Blocking, allowing the Darian Smith who seems like he hasn't had a carry since the first quarter right there to get out on the edge.

Nice run.

Picked up eight.

Second down ball at the 28.

Handoff goes to Darian Smith again.

This time he bounces off a tackle.

Tries to get around the edge and does and picks up the first down.

Singleton comes up and submarines him for the tackle.

Now here's my question to you Wayne.

Those are nice runs, but you're down two touchdowns and you've already burnt.

You've just burned a minute plus off the clock running the ball twice and gaining 13 yards.

And you still shuffling in and taking a long time.

You got to speed up the pace.

You got to start feeling like you're in a two minute kind of mindset and get a little vertical to the game.

Handoff goes to Darian Smith again, and Darian Smith is going to lunge forward and pick up five more yards to the 39.

So now the clock has gone under 9 minutes to play in regulation.

Not really giving yourself a lot of opportunities, making it so that you're going to score a touchdown.

And then you would have to definitely score a touchdown on the next drive.

Just no pace right now in and out of the huddle or getting the play off.

Touchdown.

Now Niehr is going to go to the air.

He's in the pocket.

Clean pocket going deep.

Has a man streak open.

It's caught at the 25 yard line.

And Trey Walkabout redeems himself.

511 165 junior coming up with the big play getting behind the defense.

There's the hands.

We're looking for.

Drop it in the bucket right there.

Tyler Niehr.

Good job.

Good.

Focus there.

By Walkabout.

Coming up with the catch.

Nice job of getting behind the defense.

Big time catch.

Puts North Paulding in business inside the 15 yard line.

We talked about the team needing to get vertical get some chunk yards.

Give yourself an opportunity and as much time as possible.

Darian Smith dives down to the six.

Good blocking up front for Bray.

Ivey the tight ends out on the edge.

Not having to negotiate anyone on the corner for the first four or five yards on that run.

The Smith.

North Paulding has averaged 286.5 yards per game rushing, but they're down their top three running backs and going backs that are four and five on the depth chart done a pretty good job, but nowhere close to what they've been able to do in the first five games.

Near to the air.

Touchdown Walkabout with back to back big time catches and North Paulding has cut it to 24 16.

And some confusion right there by the the corners.

Coach Stark talked about having to beat man to man coverage.

Nice route.

Confusion by the corners on the coverage coming open.

Right there is Trey Walkabout with the big catch.

He had had a drop earlier in this game and he comes back in, erases the memory of that with two huge catches here in the fourth quarter to get North Paulding back to within a touchdown.

Near with his second touchdown pass of the night.

We got a ball game at.

The Den.

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Jacket.

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North Paulding back in the game 24 17 with 7.5 to play in regulation, Trey Walkabout with the seven yard touchdown reception.

As you take a look at the DBHDD and the new red ribbon 365 curriculum scoring drive six plays, 80 yards and Walkabout had 57 of the 80.

In receiving on that very important drive.

And now we've got a new ball game.

We talked about.

They ran the ball a couple of times, needed to get vertical, decided to go with the big play over the top to Walkabout.

And then what a beautiful route by him on that touchdown catch.

A little confusion in the secondary.

Taking advantage of it as Tyler Niehr.

And here's the kick off.

And it will be Nonreturnable.

And here's a look back.

First of all, with the 57 yard pass as Walkabout got behind the secondary.

Good protection.

Great throw by near Walkabout with the concentration.

And right here confusion just coming open under that slant route.

No corner, no safety going with him underneath.

And a fine there by near and great hands by Walkabout.

So Tyler Niehr is now 18 of 23 for 258 and a couple of touchdowns.

And now the North Paulding defense goes out there looking for a stop.

Grant Henderson back in the game, got his ankle taped ready to bring the pressure.

Rakestraw playing in the backfield all night long, making plays.

Belyeu gets the carry, sheds one tackle and it's going to take two or three guys to get Belyeu on the ground.

As he gets about six on the carry of this drive.

It's just hard when you talk about a young man.

511, 215 speed vision falling forward.

And he's the kind of weapon you definitely need to go to in this situation.

Cut some of that clock, get a long drive and leave the Wolfpack with nothing to do but go home.

By the time the end of this drive in.

Personally, I love to see this in the game of football.

It's missing so much at the college level.

In the NFL level, a back like this that can dominate the game.

But you see it on Friday nights.

Belyeu another run and Belyeu he's got a first down as he gets six more.

He's falling forward.

Looks like we have big right tackle Brandon Anderson down.

Looks like maybe he's grabbing that right leg.

You hate to see that.

Don't want to see the big fella 643 20 seniors.

The four star hit it to Mizzou.

Big physical.

You know when we saw them back in October last year.

Like that weekend after we saw them on Friday night, he committed to the Tennessee Volunteers.

And he stayed committed to Tennessee through the winter into the winter.

Decommitted.

And over the summer committed to Missouri Tigers.

That commitment thing you until they're till they're in your locker room the day after signing signing day.

You just have to hold your breath.

There's a young man we called a couple of games years ago, and Travis Henry we just knew was headed to Tallahassee.

Travis Hunter.

Ivey Hunter.

Excuse me.

And,.

You seen his commercial with Trevor Lawrence?

Young man is blowing up and two way star.

Good to see Brandon up on his feet and walking off the field himself.

Six four.

320.

Now he was 200 when he was in seventh grade.

Has a lower body, probably move inside.

Has more of a guard, lower body to him.

So he'll probably be a guard at the next level.

Heck of a player.

Yeah.

Picked the Tigers over 22 other offers.

He's rated as high as the number 10 offensive guard in the country by ESPN.

In the class of 2026.

So he's off the field first and ten after a couple of big runs here by Belyeu.

And they keep Belyeu in the game.

And he gets hit at the line of scrimmage.

First time that they've really stopped him at the line of scrimmage.

And that was the defensive tackle.

Jaden Watson coming up to make the top.

Nice job.

Watson getting off the block right there.

612 60 plays with a motor.

Good technique inside.

Wolfpack trying to create third and long.

They got to get off the field here.

Can't just allow North Cobb to run this ball and run the clock out.

Yeah.

Clock is now under five and a half left in regulation.

With the hard count.

Prior to the snap encroachment on the defense, that penalty five yards still second down.

Brandon Anderson jogging back on.

Good to see him back at that right tackle spot.

Hard count there by Jarrard drawing the defense situation where you feel like the defensive front is going to be a little antsy.

They're trying to get this ball back.

They want to get that penetration and stop the run.

They know very well what you've been saying.

They got to get the ball back.

So they're eager to get after it.

Once again, going with the hard count.

But you can Jarrard the Warriors.

They're going to let this clock run.

Yeah.

They're still 17 seconds left on the play clock.

It can it'll be under 5 minutes before they snap the ball.

Here.

Running a jet to Billingsley.

Billingsley has got a lane cut back.

Billingsley still on his feet inside the 35.

Down to the 34 is Micah Billingsley with a big run.

And that'll go as a pass.

Play.

Dynamic.

Junior shifty jet sweep.

Good edge right there.

Not able to get off the block as Grant Henderson running in space.

Like how he's holding the ball.

Good job there by Billingsley holding it high and tight.

Make sure it doesn't come out.

Ten offers for Billingsley, including Georgia State, Charlotte and Memphis.

That's a big play right there by Billingsley.

First and ten for the Warriors at the 34.

At the Wolfpack.

Have any gas left in the tank.

They need to activate it now.

Pass is thrown and is broken up.

And the ball is out.

Lentz has it.

And they're going to rule that a catch and a fumble and North Paulding has the ball inside the 30.

Catching the defense by surprise.

A little throw to get the ball on the edge and Sebastian Easley and a good job right there.

By Obi Duru of pulling that ball out as Easley tries to turn up field.

Now watch Duru he didn't even know the ball was.

He didn't know where it was.

He tackled him.

He didn't know the ball was out.

But Lentz was following on the play and scoops it up.

Now do you think they see the NFL?

That would have been a catch.

No replay.

I don't think that would have.

He didn't have the ball.

He never really possessed it.

I think they counted him turning upfield as a catch.

But he never possessed the ball right here from our angle.

Yeah, I think in the NFL they've they've gone through so many machinations with that.

They would have ruled that an incomplete but a break for North Paulding as they have the ball at the 36.

That said for me that's a catch and a fumble.

But what they've done with it in the NFL, they've just screwed everything up.

I don't know what's a catch in college.

Do they change it year to year?

So you can't really narrow down what they're trying to do.

But good block over there by Ivey and Fabre on that left side.

Good run.

Hard nose run by Akbar.

Toss goes to Akbar.

Tries to change his direction and then move upfield.

He's going to be short of the first down.

It's going to be third down and about a yard.

And we're under 4 minutes left in regulation.

Slow developing play right there on that run there by Darren Smith.

Good penetration Lewis Richards and the defense in the backfield.

Big third down here.

Yeah Darius Smith and Akbar they've been solid and steady for North Paulding here tonight.

It'd be interesting to see this.

Sideline warning on the defense.

Please reset the game clock to 344.

So.

That's on North Cobb.

So I mean I'd like to see this Wolfpack offense with you know, everything they got Morris-Martinez Harrell and Skelly at running back.

They've been good without him.

Third down handoff goes.

That's a first down carry up to the 40 yard line.

Nice job of going to get that first down there by Smith.

Just coming right at you.

Right downhill shoulder square knowing he needs where he needs to go.

And falling forward there.

Big tackle by Christian Williams.

Coach Stark called him lightning in the bottle.

And you can see he hits that hole really quick.

Picked up the first down right there.

Clock running near heavy rush.

Stands in there.

Takes the hit ball up and caught at the 39.

Did he stay in bounds.

He said the officials ruled that he did.

That's a catch at the 39 by Bryson Niehr.

This is brotherly love right here.

Trusting Tyler Niehr trusting that his brother is going to be there for him on this out route deep, just flinging it up there and Bryson Niehr coming up with another big grab for his offense.

Yeah, Tyler took a big hit after he let go of that ball.

It's first and ten.

Steele confusion getting the play in right there.

Looking to the sideline is near.

Near going up top.

Jump ball incomplete in and out of the hands of three different guys.

First of all Bryson Niehr and then two defenders for North Cobb.

The last of which was Trey Shaw.

Right here.

Dangerous pass.

Not really open on the back end.

Singleton is back there.

Shaw is back there.

Almost coming up with the interception as you can see his hands on his head.

He had two picks last week against Walton in there.

41-7 victory over the Raiders.

Second down and ten ball at the 393 0-1 left in regulation.

Now time-out is going to be burned here by North Paulding.

They want to think about it.

We'll step aside while they do.

So.

You wouldn't take a call during the big game.

Oh hey what's up man.

You wouldn't be texting while cheering on your team.

Jacket.

And you definitely wouldn't want to watch a video while marching with the band.

So why would you drive a car while distracted driving isn't a game when you lose on the road, it could lead to a crash.

So when you get behind the wheel, put the distractions aside, drive hands free, and save lives.

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Welcome back to the 301.

And Matt I'm going to go ahead and use the R word regulation.

Let's go to Middle Georgia.

Walkabout.

Right.

And lost Jon's audio right there.

We'll get back to him shortly.

301 left in regulation time-out called by North Paulding.

So coming out of the time-out at second down and ten from the 392417 spectacular game here on GPB Sports Football Fridays in Georgia, our first ever visit to the Den at North Paulding Matt Stewart Wayne Gandy John Nelson with you headed toward a fantastic finish here on this Friday night.

Warriors showing pressure linebackers up.

Near in the pocket stands in there fires.

It's caught.

First down spin move.

Flag out.

Presley Carr inside the 15 yard line.

Good protection, good route coming underneath is Carr.

Trey Shaw is down.

Looks like maybe he got hit in the elbow.

Hit from the back.

Here comes the penalty call.

On the offense, that pin will be 10 yards from the spot of the foul.

Still second down.

So that backs him up behind the first down yardage.

Showing pressure North Cobb and then bailing out.

But good protection by the O-line.

Long developing play.

Getting the ball out to Presley Carr as he worked his way upfield, holding call out on the edge and Trey Shaw is up.

Yeah, Carr came in as their leading receiver on the season.

Only three catches tonight.

It's been more Bryson Niehr than anybody else.

And of course Trey Walkabout had the two big catches on the previous drive.

So that backs the ball up from the first down gain to second down and three or maybe two ball sitting on the 31.

So we'll call it two.

Second down and two line to gain the 29.

Heavy rush.

Near pressures coming quarterback sack back at the 36 yard line.

They brought the pressure off the edge and Marcus Singleton, who had a pick earlier in the game, gets the quarterback sack.

This time.

Porter blitz coming with the pressure, just beating Darren Smith underneath there is Marcus Singleton to get the sack and the pressure there on Tyler Niehr.

Nice job of that young man right there slipping the block of the running back to make that play.

Coming from a long line of Singleton as he's a fourth Singleton brother to play in the North Cobb program.

Blitz coming.

Got it out of there.

It's caught and Simpson driven out of bounds at the 30.

A yard short of the first down.

And now it's going to be fourth down.

Great tackle by Dylan Rainey here.

Feeling the pressure delivering the ball out on the edge.

Taking the big hit getting it to his receiver Kingslee Simpson but a big time tackle there to keep him from that first down is Dylan Rainey.

North Cobb player I believe that is Ellis read the linebacker got shaken up on the play.

They got him up on his feet and he's walking off the field right now.

But that was Jayden Harris who came with the blitz off the edge, back to back blitz by North Cobb in this situation.

And both times they hit near.

This time he got rid of the ball and now it's fourth down and one.

The game comes down to this game continues.

You get the first down.

If you don't game likely over in the North Cobb win.

It's that simple.

That is crucial.

Big third down Darren Smith running downhill to pick it up.

There you go.

Fourth down and one game on the line.

Handoff goes to Smith.

He's going to get to the first down yardage I think they're spotting him short.

The official has spotted him short.

He's right on the spot.

The side judge right there with a clear view of the tackle of what he felt like was short.

And they're going to say the ball goes over on downs that he didn't get there.

Needed to get to the 29.

Got stopped at the 29.5.

Good lane here.

Good blocking.

Watch this lane that Smith runs into right here.

You feel like he's going to get the first down.

But a great job right there.

Jayden Bryant in for Trey Shaw coming up square making a big huge tackle for this North Cobb defense.

Big time play by Jayden Bryant.

Might have just saved the game for him right there because Smith was closing in on the first down and cutting down a half yard short, and now North Paulding with two time-outs, it's going to be very difficult for them to stop North Cobb here and get the ball back with just two time-outs.

So hand off goes to Belyeu and Belyeu or that's going to be Echols this time.

Echols up to the 37 yard line.

Good blocking there on that right side.

Give it to the big back.. North Paulding Echols.

Put their second charge time-out of the half.

Want to put two hands around that ball.

Keep your shoulders square so it doesn't get punched out.

Right now it's all about ball security and falling forward.

So second down and three.

Time-out was burned by North Paulding.

That leaves them with one.

Not a lot of time.

Came off the clock right there.

142 if they can stop them from getting the first down right here, they'll burn another time-out, bringing up a third down, and then it's going to be a matter of math.

Is it going to be enough time left for North Paulding if they can get the stop and force them to make a decision as to whether to go for it deep in their own end or punting, and getting the force ahead of the cart right here, right now, they're faced with the second down.

If you North Cobb right here, you just really want to get this first down.

Force them burn that last time out and then you can get to your victory formation.

But ball security by either back is key right here in this play.

They got both ends of the Thunder and Thunder a lot of teams have thunder and lightning.

They got thunder and thunder and Belyeu is going to get stopped right there.

It's going to be third down.

Big play by the defense to him in that beast called Zach Belyeu.

North Paulding.

That's their third and final time-out.

No more time-outs.

136 left on the clock.

So what's going to happen here as we check in with John real quick.

All right.

Let's take another tour.

Ambassador Christian goes on the road, beat Wesleyan by three tonight.

Hebron Christian blessed Trinity a big match up in private schools.

End of three.

Hebron Christian leading by eight big winners.

Tonight Roswell gets a win in region play.

Shiloh a winner tonight in Gwinnett County.

Newton and Archer.

I think somebody else is going to score three days from now.

Right now, 42 35 Newton in the fourth.

Buford put up 70-1 tonight.

Duluth put up 50.

End of three Gainesville leads Lanier 37 30.

Matt.

All right.

Thank you Nelly third down here.

So again I know we said this before game on the line.

But again game on the line.

If they can get the stop right here the clock's going to run until North Cobb is forced to snap it again.

Or use a time-out or whatever they're going to do.

So we'll wait and see what happens right here before we go to the next scenario.

Big backs, physical backs.

Keep the ball on the ground.

Echols gets it.

Echols is not going to get the first down.

Now it's fourth down and there are no more time-outs.

The clock's going to run.

So now we go to the next scenario.

Wayne, you're North Cobb.

What are you doing here?

You punt right here.

You gotta punt this ball and make them earn an A field goal situation.

Maybe you would gamble it, but they got to drive the length of the field.

So a North Cobb player down on the field, which stops the clock.

So Benny Martin Martinucci their backup tight end, a former offensive lineman, is the guy that's hurt on the play.

So the play clock has stopped at 20:05.

So once they spin the clock back into motion, here, North Cobb will have 25 seconds that they can burn.

And as of yet, they have not yet restarted the clock.

And if you're North Cobb.

You really right here.

Let the clock go down as far as possible and call a time-out yourself.

You want to use up all the time on this clock, but they haven't started it.

Now they do.

So they don't have to punt it here for 20s.

Have two time-outs.

We expect they're going to just let the clock run down and then call a time-out.

So now they call the time-out with one second left on the play clock.

They run it all the way down to 57.5 Cobb.

That's their second out of half.

So North Cobb.

Will not play again for three Friday nights.

They've got two weeks off in a row in their schedule.

They will not resume their schedule until October 10 when they play at Marietta.

And then Cherokee, Etowah and Wheeler to close things out.

Like we said off the top at the beginning of the game tonight, the winner of this ball game will win the region championship tonight, but they certainly will be in the driver's seat by all anybody's analysis of that region.

These are the two best teams, the two strongest teams in the region.

At least that's been the case through the first month plus of the season.

And here you see North Paulding.

They will be off next week as well.

That will give them a chance to get healthy.

And they dearly need that.

And then they'll resume their region schedule.

Hosting Etowah here on October 3.

So here you go.

Fourth and three.

Snap goes back and he'll punt it out of there.

Simpson calls fair catch.

Makes it at the 32.

And that's where North Paulding will go on offense with a lot of time.

I mean, they did a fabulous job of managing that clock right there.

I thought they would have if they got the ball back, it'd be something like under 30.

They did a great job of really managing the clock right there with the time-outs and getting the stops at the line.

And this time different than the first half.

They only have they have no time-outs this time and they need a touchdown.

So they can be real aggressive going vertical downfield.

And Tyler Niehr has done a great job distributing this ball and working the clock, getting the receivers, getting the 10 yards to make sure they pick up that first down.

So let's see how North Cobb approaches this defensively.

In the last series they really tried to heat up Tyler Niehr and bring a lot of pressure off the edge.

Let's see if they stick to that tactic here.

Now that we're under a minute to play in regulation.

Empty backfield set.

Clean pocket for near.

Now it's breaking down a little bit.

Pass is intercepted at the 49 yard line.

Singleton gets his second pick of the night.

And that should do it.

Great job there by Marcus Singleton reading the quarterback eyes a three man rush and a late dog by Jayden Hamlette to add a little pressure.

Marcus Singleton playing back, keeping his eyes on Tyler Niehr jumping the route here.

Good pocket, late pressure right there by Hamlette just stepping up right there is Singleton for the big interception.

And as I mentioned a few moments ago, he is the fourth Singleton brother to come through the program.

His brother Christian.

Time out North Cobb that is their third and final charge time-out of the half.

His brother Christian went on to play at Western Michigan.

His brother Malachi, perhaps the most famous, the star quarterback who went to Arkansas and is now at Purdue, and Marcus is just a sophomore.

I'd say from what we've seen from Marcus tonight, he's got a chance to play some college ball one day.

Two very talented, good technique, smart.

You can tell he's very aware of down and distance and just making big plays tonight to carry on that tradition of the Singleton.

And that young man right there.

Tyler Niehr had a great game going.

Yeah.

One interception was just someone not catching the ball.

And right there just trying to make something happen for his team in a two minute situation.

And Marcus Singleton making a great play.

Yeah.

So Nia's going to finish the night 21 of 28 passing for 303.

A couple of touchdowns and a couple of interceptions.

Both of those interceptions by Marcus Singleton who's now got 3-4 on the season.

And all sophomore cornerback.

How about that cornerback combo there for North Cobb.

And you understand why Shane Queen is really excited about this program.

Jarrard takes the kneel down there in the victory formation.

And that's going to do it.

North Cobb is going to jump into the driver's seat here in region five.

6-A as they gun for their fifth region title in six years, they're going to be four and two on the season now.

Two and oh in the region heading into that long layoff three weeks from now before they resume their schedule.

And tough luck loss here for North Paulding here tonight.

They drop to 4-2 1-1 in the region.

Yeah great win to go into a long bye.

Especially a region win that sets them up with a lot of confidence to finish those last four games off of the season.

Get healthy get guys back in the lineup.

And just a tough, gritty win.

Really just taking advantage of the opportunities.

The breakdowns and the turnovers to put touchdowns on the board.

Win number 183 for Shane Queen in his career.

Stick around.

Our post game show with John Nelson coming up.

He'll be talking to Shane Queen in just a moment.

And also our Georgia Cotton Commission Player of the game.

Fun one.

Fun one here tonight.

24 17 the final.

And time now for our Johnny's Pizza postgame interview, delivered by Johnny's New York style pizza.

Your original neighborhood pizzeria.

Thank you very much, Matt.

Time to catch up with Shane Queen, the head coach at North Cobb.

You knew they were going to make you earn it tonight.

They made you earn.

It well.

They're well coached.

Coach Stark does an awesome job and they had us off balance in the first half.

We were fortunate to get a couple turnovers.

It was a difference in the game, but that game could have went either way.

They probably think, man, we gave that one away and we didn't play the best game, but we found a way to win at the end and that's all you can ask for.

Especially early on in region play where you know it's going to be as competitive as it's going to be.

You've got lessons that you can take with you going forward.

No doubt we got two off weeks in a row so we don't play for three weeks so we can get healthy, get some guys back.

But we got to get better man.

And our kids know that they want to get better every week.

They're coachable.

And I'm just proud of them on TV tonight to get a victory.

It was an ugly victory, but I'll take that over.

Pretty loss.

We've had some pretty losses for on TV too, so.

I was going to say victory is a victory, doesn't matter how pretty it.

Is, no doubt.

Thanks, John.

I appreciate you all being here tonight.

Go, Warriors.

What Shane said Zach Belyeu coming up in just a little bit.

That is Johnny's pizza coach's interview.

That's half the story coming up with the other half in just a little bit.

Matt.

All right.

Thank you Nellie.

Impressive victory in that.

They didn't play their best and they got the victory.

So that's an important piece to football.

Sometimes there's no doubt about it.

You got to take advantage of the other team's mistakes.

You get the short field.

You got to punch those touchdowns in.

That was something they did on those turnovers and they got themselves in a position where they could just run the ball, eat up some clock and put a lot of pressure on North Paulding.

And they just came up short.

Let's send it down to John with our Georgia Cotton Commission player of the game.

Thank you very much, Matt.

One more time, Georgia Cotton Commission, the natural choice for Georgia, our natural choice player of the game.

The great number 8.

Because tonight, just under 170 yards rushing on ten carries, two big runs, one north of 61 north of 50.

Zach, this looks good on you.

We decided to go with the khaki tonight up top.

What was it like out there tonight for you?

It was good actually.

Actually playing with the team, you know, great bonding, great chemistry.

And I got to give thanks to the O-line, man.

Like, the O-line worked their butts off and to give me them two touchdowns and my other running back, our Quavy Echols the other touchdown.

So we just had to work together as a team.

Also, the defense did great.

So yeah.

I mean, you mentioned the offensive line.

Let's go ahead and talk about those big ones up front.

What's it like.

You know knowing that they've got they've got you protected.

They know that where you're looking for they know that the holes that you want to seek when it comes to the wham and everything.

It makes my job easier, actually.

You know, just just running the ball, being able to read my blocks, you know, making it easier.

Like I said, you know, getting my touch down.

Like that.

Now, one more for you.

You got a couple weeks off.

There's a lot that you can learn from tonight.

It was a game that was a grinder.

You knew it was going to be a grinder.

What did you learn tonight about yourselves out there?

You think that you got two weeks to work on?

I feel like we definitely got the fight.

We definitely got the drive and the fire.

I just feel like we got a little more to work on.

We got to.

We got to execute fast and we got to finish throughout the game.

With the execution.

And you are hitting the holes that they are letting you go through just under 170 yards.

Once again, Mr.

Belyeu is wearing the khaki that says Georgia Cotton Commission.

He's got the towel.

All that's going home with him because he is our natural choice for player of the game.

Matt.

North of just about 170 yards rushing on the night, two big runs, one part of the offense that was successful tonight in a grinder against North Paulding back upstairs.

Exactly.

The exact numbers ten carries for 171 a couple of touchdowns, a 66 yard touchdown run.

Also had a 57 yard run in the game as well.

Be sure to join us next Friday night.

Got another great one for you this time we're going to be on the south side of Atlanta as the Langston Hughes Panthers 5-A state championship contenders played in the finals last year.

Number two in the GPB Sports Top ten, playing host to the Newnan Cougars, the high scoring Newnan Cougars, Newnan at Langston Hughes.

That's next Friday night from Fairburn, Georgia.

730 right here on GPB.

And our stream game will be also from the South side as the hate filled Charter Hornets take on the Carver Atlanta Panthers.

What a great game that always is.

That's a fun rivalry and that'll be our stream game next week from Lakewood Stadium.

Now, if you missed portions of tonight's game or just want to see it again, you can catch a full replay later this evening right here on GPB or in the coming week at GPB Sports on Demand.

Now for Wayne Gandy Jon Nelson, our VP of sports, Kevin, game producer Glenn Diamond, director Vince Hurley, I'm Matt Stewart, so long from Dallas, Georgia, where North Cobb comes up with a 24 17 win over North Paulding.

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Oh my.

I got shot in the ninth grade.

I mean, I was 1 " away from my main artery.

Obviously, I was headed down the wrong path.

They just needed a little guidance at the time.

But he turned out to be a great kid.

Be his only his second year of playing high school football.

He's got a lot to learn about the running back position, and I tell everybody his best football is ahead.

He's not a finished product.

Jake can do some things that that, that a lot of kids cannot.

And he's blessed.

And obviously us having him on our team.

We are blessed in that same sense.

Jake and Flat Daggum run when he gets vertical, he's really hard to catch.

I'm determined to get a touchdown every time I touch the ball.