For the first time in three years, the Fuquay-Varina Bengals rang the Victory Bell after defeating Willow 20-7 Friday night. The long-awaited win ended a streak of rivalry losses and made this year’s triumph even sweeter.
Sophomore Matthew Ziglar delivered one of the night’s biggest sparks with a touchdown that sent the home crowd roaring.
“It felt good, especially against a rival in the same city,” said Ziglar.
He explained that as he crossed into the end zone, his focus was on hitting the edge and cutting inside to finish the play.
For right guard Tavares Robinson, the victory was about redemption after last year’s heartbreak.
“It felt amazing and wonderful to win against Willow after that heartbreaking defeat last year,” said Robinson.
Robinson said the defense gave the offense confidence all night by shutting Willow down and creating opportunities to score.
Kayden Yount also felt the weight of the win, especially since he grew up alongside many of Willow’s players.
“It felt amazing because I grew up with a lot of kids from Willow,” he said. “To play against them and get the payback, it felt good.”
He pointed out that Fuquay’s quiet and focused mindset before kickoff set the tone, with players locked in on the task ahead. On defense, Yount said he relied on trusting both his training and the teammates beside him.
One of the game’s biggest turning points came early, when Corbin Peacock grabbed an interception that shifted the momentum.
“…Lots of excitement. It was at the beginning of the game, which I think helped give us a lot of momentum,” Peacock said.
He added that the play was unforgettable, fueled by the energy of the student section and the team’s preparation.
“It was a memory I will cherish forever,” he said. “I couldn’t have gotten the interception without the help of my teammates. They did their jobs, which allowed me to do mine.”
Peacock emphasized that the Bengals entered the game with confidence and carried a winning mentality from kickoff to the final whistle.
Defense proved to be the difference-maker all night. Ziglar explained that the team’s ability to play together and stay disciplined ultimately sealed the win.
“The biggest difference in the game was definitely our defense and teamwork,” he said. “We all came together.”
As the final seconds ticked down, players and cheerleaders rushed to claim the Bell that we earned from our 20-7 victory. The Bengals didn’t just avenge last season’s loss; they made a statement that this year, they are bringing the fight back home.
