By Matthew Yoder
Reeling from a difficult home loss to Nandua and trading early touchdowns with Snow Hill, the Arcadia Firebirds found themselves at a pivotal juncture for early season play last Friday night. What followed was another determined effort by the defensive unit and a barrage of scoring by the offense and special teams culminating in a 41-12 victory, moving the Firebirds record to 2-2.
Arcadia made the trip north with 17 players and started backup quarterback, Collin Marshall. They opened the scoring with a long touchdown run by Tiair Bibbins but relinquished the momentum, just as soon as establishing it, following a long pass play for a touchdown on Snow Hill’s first play from scrimmage.
“We thought we were in for it,” said Arcadia assistant coach Jeff Shaffer.
The Firebirds settled, and as the case has been all season, relied on their defense to temper the pace of the game. They faced an improved Snow Hill offense but held their opponents to only 14 yards rushing all night. Shaffer credited shutting down Keondre Harmon as a key factor in the game.
“Once the defense shut down number 15 the game was ours,” Shaffer said. “I think for the defense this was the best game they had, they played positions and situations the way they have to.”
Standout for Shaffer was the play of Chris Wharton, newly inserted at middle linebacker. He spoke of Wharton’s intangibles, alluding to a sixth sense mentality to read the offense.
“He’s very keen,” said Shaffer.
For Wharton, the promotion was just as much a matter of effort in practice.
“I’m the first one out, last to leave, and I’m glad they moved me up,” said Wharton.
Like Shaffer, Wharton believed it was his unit’s best effort to this point.
“This was the best defense I have ever played, everybody was working together,” Wharton said.
He admitted to jitters saying, “I was a little nervous,” but finished the game believing, “this is a piece of cake.”
With backup Marshall taking the snaps, Arcadia ran the ball the majority of the time. In addition to Bibbins, the Firebirds were bolstered by scores from William Scarborough, Brandon Bibbins, and a kickoff return from Lethon Williams, who shook off injuries to step in at wide receiver and contribute on defense at safety.
When they did pass, the Firebirds eased Marshall in.
“We had to go with quick screens,” said Williams, allowing for the Firebirds to take advantage on the edges with their speed.
It’s difficult to believe at this point in the season, the Firebirds needed the win to salvage postseason hopes, but Shaffer believed such was the case.
“It was definitely a good win,” said Shaffer. “They were fighting against themselves, and this brought their spirits up.”
Now in the midst of a bye week, Arcadia starts preparing for an October 4 matchup with 2-1 Colonel Richardson. The team could use some time to heal a bit and prepare keenly against a difficult opponent.
“I think it helps having a bye week, especially if the team you’re going up against doesn’t have one,” said Shaffer. “We got stomped by them last year, Colonel’s going to be a tough game.”
