North Atlanta continued its dream season last Friday with a huge 44 to 26 win over Centennial High School that kept their name in the state playoff picture. The Warriors dominated all night, never allowing the Knights a true chance to get into the game. They jumped out to a 20 to 0 lead after the first quarter following a monster 82 yard touchdown from star running back TK Mack, and then two red zone runs from Mack and junior Tre’ Mason. Mack would have himself another huge day, running for a career-high 385 yards on 32 carries, averaging a mind-boggling total of 12 yards per carry. But it wasn’t just the Warriors offense that starred in the victory. The Dubs defense came away with 3 turnovers that set the tone for the game and put the offense in position to score. Linebacker Davis Bell forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Syre Stewart, and safeties Jamie Hare and Malcolm Woods each came up with interceptions. 

The Warriors continued their domination in the second half, with another big run from Mack, this time an 80 yard touchdown, to put the Warriors up 30 to 7. After a Centennial touchdown, North Atlanta ended the game in the third quarter with another touchdown run inside the 10 yard line from Mason and then one from Mack to take a 44-13 lead. Two late touchdowns from Centennial would provide the window dressing and make the final score 44 to 26 Dubs. The Warriors dominated on both sides of the ball, shutting down the Centennial offense and overpowering their defense with the ground game. Quarterback Wiley Hartley had a quiet day throwing, only attempting nine passes all night and completing six of them, but when your running game is humming the way it was, why air it out? Hartley found both Trey Harris and Tre’ Mason for 29 yard strikes in the limited amount of attempts he was given.

This was a huge win for North Atlanta, which is now just one win away from clinching its first playoff spot since 1996. The team also stands on the cusp of clinching a winning season, something that’s only been achieved two times in the history of North Atlanta which dates back to 1991. 

 The Warriors take on 3-6 Chattahoochee this coming Friday, Nov. 8, and if they come out as fired up as they did last game, they’ve got a pretty good chance at punching their playoff ticket. This season could change the face of North Atlanta football forever, and in order to do so, the Warrzone must make its presence known.