The Weddington Warriors rumbled over Mount Tabor 45-12 in the semifinal round to win the West Region Championship this past Friday night. They will now advance to the State Championship game for the third time in the previous five years.
The Warriors improved their overall record to 14-1 and will meet East Region Champion Southeast Guilford 14-1 for the state Championship title in the 3AA division class. The game will be played on Friday December 14th in Chapel Hill at 7:30 PM.
The stellar defense and potent offense combined have outscored their opponents in the state playoffs 168-32 as they get prepared for winning the crown. The Warriors out-gained the Spartans 324 yards to 204, while picking up 216 yards on the ground to rumble past yet another opponent.
Both running backs Will Shipley and Wayne Dixie had solid games. Dixie rushed for 84 yards and three touchdowns on just 8 carries, he also found a gap opened up by the offensive line and bolted for a 42 yard touchdown late in the third quarter. While Shipley found pay dirt on a 4 yard scamper 5 minutes into the game to start the scoring. He later threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to older brother, senior James Shipley to make the score 21-0. Dixie would score again before the end of the first half on a 10 yard run to give Weddington a 28-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half the Warriors would continue to apply pressure in the first five minutes of play. Senior quarterback Whitner Litton would pitch a shovel pass to Will Shipley for a 17 yard touchdown giving the Warriors a commanding 35-0 advantage ending any possible comeback by their opponent. After three quarters of play the Warriors lead 35-6.
In the fourth quarter, Warrior Kicker Ian Williams would connect on a 44 yard field goal to make the score 38-6. Dixie would score his third touchdown on a 17 yard burst to put the Warriors up 45-6 and complete the rout. Mount Taber would add another score later in the quarter on an 11 yard run.
The championship match-up should be a highly competitive game as both teams have identical records and have plowed through their regional bracket games in the state playoffs.
