Amid a record-breaking 2023 season that has been filled with achievement after achievement, the Warriors have once again given the fan faithful something to talk about. On a frigid Friday night in late October, in true Warrior football fashion, North Atlanta took the Fight to South Cobb to not only win the most anticipated game of the season but officially secure a playoff berth for only the fourth time in school history.

Off the back of a heartbreaking loss to Marist to end the program’s longest-ever undefeated season at 7-0, the Warriors were looking for a rebound to return to their early season form. With no more chance to win the region, North Atlanta still has a very strong chance to secure a two-seed and a first-round home playoff game for the first time in school history. Yet, before this history could be made, the Warriors had to take care of business against the South Cobb Eagles. The Eagles finished a woeful 0-10 last year and are on track to once again finish winless in 2023. Yet this didn’t stop South Cobb from showing up and giving their all. “Even though we were favored we still had to respect them and we knew that no matter what, we have to give our all as anything can happen any given week,” said Junior Quarterback Ian Reynolds, “That’s the beauty of this game.”
This game was almost immediately put on ice with Warrior’s domination from the opening whistle. Starting on defense, Senior defensive back Darius Malcolm caught an interception on the fourth play of the game to set the offense up with great field position. This led the way for a Demetrius Barnes score on the first offensive drive. The Warriors would continue to dominate defensively with interceptions on three straight drives to begin the game, all of which were followed by offensive touchdowns. The Warriors scored a touchdown on every single possession of the game. This incredible offensive surge was led by Barnes, who finished with a superb four touchdowns, all of which came in the first half. This domination would continue in the second half, even as the backups came in to get their homecoming varsity reps including a first-ever varsity touchdown for sophomore running back Caden Edwards. “It was an amazing way to send off our entire senior class,” said Barnes, “this game, and this whole season as a whole will be a cherished memory of mine for the rest of my life.”

Now, with this trouncing of South Cobb, North Atlanta has secured a home playoff game rematch against Houston County, who bounced the Warriors out of the playoffs last year. Head Coach James Aull has led the squad back-to-back playoff campaigns for the first time in school history. As the Warriors look on to this highly anticipated matchup, all of Atlanta can do nothing but tune in to yet another record-breaking moment for the 2023 Dubs.