Northern Guilford edges Oak Grove in late thriller

Written by: Joe Myers

GREENSBORO – In a game defined by momentum swings, Northern Guilford scored the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute to defeat Oak Grove 26-21 on Friday night.

The Nighthawks dominated the first half, jumping out to a 17-0 lead behind quarterback Jaxson Kemp and receiver Greyson Council. After an early field goal, Kemp connected with Council on a 99-yard touchdown pass following a ricochet interception, then found him again on a 67-yard screen pass for a second score.

Oak Grove finally broke through just before halftime when Grayson Threadway hit Jaiquan Gray for a 1-yard touchdown with eight seconds left, trimming the margin to 17-7.

Northern Guilford opened the second half with a field goal to extend its lead to 20-7, but Threadway quickly responded with a 49-yard touchdown strike to Lathan Pruitt, pulling the Grizzlies within 20-14.

The Grizzlies eventually surged ahead in the fourth quarter. After a short field and a pass interference penalty set them up inside the 10, Kamari McFadden powered into the end zone from six yards out to give Oak Grove its first lead, 21-20, with 5:52 remaining.

From there, Kemp went to work. Facing a fourth-and-13 with just over a minute to play, he evaded pressure and delivered a 42-yard strike to Council, setting up Northern Guilford at the Oak Grove 2-yard line. Two plays later, Amare Akersscored from one yard out, and the Nighthawks converted the two-point attempt to make it 26-21 with 47 seconds left.

Oak Grove mounted one last drive, advancing to the Northern Guilford 27, but the Nighthawks sealed the win with an interception in the end zone.

Kemp finished 12-of-26 passing for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Council was electric with four receptions for 210 yards and two scores, while Akers added 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Threadway completed 17-of-29 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for Oak Grove. Gray caught seven passes for 98 yards and a score.