Our No. 17 FVHS Bengals football team has advanced to the second round of the class 7A playoffs after a 29-7 win against No. 16 Holly Springs High School. The team previously beat the Hawks in a preseason matchup at the beginning of the season, so they were confident they could win again.
Both teams came into the playoffs with a record of 4-6, eager to extend their season. They held Holly Springs to only 108 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards.
From the first snap, the Bengals played with energy, confidence and focus. They set the tone with their strong defense and quick offense that continued to put them on the board all night.
“Our coaches are emphasizing that we stay mentally focused,” said senior Corbin Peacock. “They tell us not to worry about the team we’re playing and to focus on getting the job done.”
Going into the game, the Bengals prepared by watching lots of film and studying their opponents.
Because the playoff season is here, every game counts. For some, that may make them more nervous, but that makes our Bengals play harder, especially our seniors.
“Knowing every game could be our last makes us play harder,” said senior Jalen Ali. “We are truly giving everything we’ve got and playing for each other every time we step on the field.”
The Bengals’ next matchup after their win is No. 1 in class 7A Cardinal Gibbons. The Crusaders have an overall record of 9-1 and a conference record of 4-0. They are also ranked No. 6 in all of North Carolina.
Although this may seem intimidating, it has not changed the mindset of our Bengals.
“We know what playoff football feels like and what it takes to win. Everyone is really locked in and treating every play like it matters,” said Ali.
Make sure to come and support our Bengals in their round two matchup at Cardinal Gibbons at 7 p.m.
