There's a Flag on the Play

This week’s Friday Football Frenzy crew traveled to Durham to watch two rivals play each other. Hillside took on Southern Durham for a much anticipated conference match-up at Southern Durham. This was the PAC 6 conference opener for both teams.  

The rock "S" on the hill at Southern Durham

While last week’s game featured two new programs, this week’s game featured two rival schools. This game has been on Brad Alford, a NCHSAA staff member's, radar since the beginning of the season. He graduated from Southern Durham and filled-in Quanta, Tiffany and I on all the traditions of Southern Durham football and needless to say, we were excited to head out to Durham to watch the game.

The Hornets Breaking through their Banner.

Both teams, at some point in the season, were ranked in the HighSchoolOT.com OT Top 12 Poll this season. Southern Durham was ranked 4^th before dropping out of the poll in Week 4 after losing to Jack Britt. Hillside was ranked #4 in Week 5, and will remain in the poll after beating Southern Durham 33-21.

The Spartan's Defense getting a Pep Talk from the Coaches.

The Spartans came into this game 2-2, starting the season with two wins before dropping two straight. The Hornets came into the game 3-1, starting the season with their only loss and winning three straight on the road, including a win in South Carolina against Canes Bay.

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Southern Durham knows how to Run a Concession Stand,

they had a Grill for Hot Dogs and a Fish Fry.

The anticipation among the Durham community for this game was extremely high; cars were backed up trying to get into the parking lot and parking spots were a high commodity. Southern Durham brought in extra bleachers to be placed on the track for over-flow of fans.  

The weather was gloomy, with heavy cloud cover and a rain storm that hit halfway through the first quarter, but the temperature was chilly and it finally started to feel like real Friday Night Football weather.



The Spartan's Crowd Braving the Rain and
Cold Weather to Cheer on their Team.



Unfortunately penalties played a big role in the game. It began to feel like every play had a flag associated with it.

Southern Durham ran for big first down during their first possession of the game, but a holding penalty, pulled Southern Durham back to their own 20 yard line. Hillside during an early possession actually scored a touchdown, but it was called back due to an illegal shift. The excess of flags on plays hurt both offenses from getting a rhythm. But it was Hillside’s Khris Francis who dominated the game, he ran for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Hornet Cheerleaders Watching their
Team Score Another Touchdown.

But it wasn’t just the football game that stole the show on Friday night. The Spartan and Hornet cheerleaders cheered the entire game, despite the rain and chilly weather. Both squads kept the crowd engaged as the rain poured. The Southern Durham band at halftime was exceptional and didn’t let the wet weather dampen their spirits.

The Spartan's Color Guard Tried to Stay Warm before
their Halftime Performance.

The Spartan's Band and Color Guard didn't let Damp Weather and a
Wet Field Stand in the way of a Spectacular Halftime Performance.

As we’re learning from attending different football games around the state, it’s each community that makes NC Friday Night Football so special. It’s the student-athletes on the field, playing through every whistle and leaving it all on the field. It’s the band members and cheerleaders, dedicating their time and talents to enhance the football game experience. It’s the parents of the athletes, band members and cheerleaders, supporting their children. It’s the high school students supporting their classmates, and the community members showing-up and supporting their local high school students. Without the community support, Friday Night Football definitely would not have the special atmosphere, that makes it so unique and fun.

The Hornets Beat the Spartans 33-21.

- Elizabeth Lancaster