On August 23 at 7 PM, the Westerville North Warriors played the Westerville Central Warhawks in the first game of the 2024 season. Beating our rivals down the road for the second time in two years in a row has given an extra confidence boost to North’s team, especially with the score of 34-0.
Coach Marcus Ray commented on quarterback Ronald Jackson’s comeback after the game’s rough start. “Ronald Jackson, he made some mistakes early then bounced back. He took control of the game,” Coach Ray said. “It was twenty six to nothing for touchdowns. We just didn’t want to take our foot off the gas”.
On August 30, 7 PM, the Warriors went up against Olentangy Orange. Our Players and coaches were not going to doubt themselves. “Sky’s the limit for the football team. No never doubted never,” Coach Stanley Jackson said.
As quarter one started, multiple players had gotten injured such as D’Nilyeon Taylor, Layonte Davis, Owen Barry-Wilson and Kayden Childress (who came back into the game).
Defensive lineman D’Nilyeon Taylor elaborates what it was like at that moment. “I was in so much pain it was my first game back. I thought I was gonna out the season, but I will be back.”
The frustration grew on the coaches and players in the third quarter. Wide receiver Junior Marlon “MC” Walker speaks when North’s team was down 27-42.
“Coming back to the sideline.. watching Olentangy take the lead in a game that should’ve been in our hands created a fire within us,” Walker said.
Unfortunately the Warriors lost 54-41, but all they can do is move forward. Their next game will be against Bishop Watterson tomorrow. Coach Stanley Jackson and Marlon Walker will focus on moving on and staying confident.
“There’s no team that can beat us when we believe that,” Walker said. Coach Jackson added, “We’re the better team and we got better coaches and players.”
Something to be known is that Westerville North has never played Bishop Watterson eagles before transfer student Owen Barry Wilson being the only player who has faced the Watterson Eagles admits, “Watterson is a tough team, but we will be prepared.”
What truly helped the team was them being on the same page with the mindset and optimism that they all share; with this they believe they can make a comeback.
