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Story By Sophie Johnson, Sports Editor
Photos By Michaela Kelly, Photo Editor
Are you ready for some Friday night lights? Because FFHS football is.
“After you have done this for so long, you’re always excited about the first game because there are so many unknowns,” head coach Jim Prince said. “You know, we don’t know what we’re gonna be.”
The Nighthawks are 8-1 in opening games, and their only loss was two years ago by one point against Dixon. This Friday they play Edenton Holmes, which was runner-up in the state last year. Holmes beat FFHS 60-28 last year, beginning a seven-game winning streak that propelled the Aces all the way to the state championship game.
“Now this is by far our hardest opening game because we have Edenton. They have a lot of good people back,” Prince said. “They’re really well coached so it’ll be a big, big test for us.”
The Nighthawks finished 6-4 in the regular season last year and lost in the opening round of the playoffs in a 50-42 shootout to Fairmont. The team averaged 36 points per game last year. The offense will be led once again by Braxton Hughes, a senior who has been the Nighthawks’ starting quarterback since his freshman year. Hughes and junior Ethan Driver combined on eight completions at their first scrimmage for 165 yards.
“We’re looking really good this year,” Hughes said. “Our pass game looks really strong and I think we’re gonna have a successful year.”
The defense is also looking solid, according to junior Cole Kelly.
“We have a great secondary and a great D-line,” Kelly said.
Unfortunately, the team has lost some players this season due to injuries. The Nighthawks’ biggest impact player they lost is senior Mannon Haynes.
“In our situation with the few numbers we have, when you lose him you don’t lose just a player, you lose a guy on offense, a guy on defense, he was our best defensive back, he was our No. 2 wide receiver, then he was our best kick returner and punt returner,” Prince said. “So that’s four guys that you lose right there.”
Fans are encouraged to come out to the season opener Friday at 7:30 to support the Nighthawks. FFHS will play two games before the first day of school — they hit the road next week — with the highly anticipated Marlin Bowl against Manteo taking place at the end of the first week of school.
Junior Sophie Johnson can be reached at johnsonso0628@daretolearn.org.
Support the Nighthawks!
- Aug. 18 vs. Edenton, 7:30
- Aug. 25 @ Arcadia, 7
- Sept 1 vs. Manteo (Marlin Bowl), 7:30
- Sept. 15 @ Bear Grass, 7
- Sept. 22 vs. Camden, 7:30
- Sept. 29 @ Isle of Wight, 7:30
- Oct. 6 vs. Bertie, 7:30
- Oct. 13 vs. Hertford County (Homecoming), 7:30
- Oct. 20 @ Pasquotank, 7:30
- Oct. 27 @ Northeastern, 7:30
- Nov. 3 vs. Currituck (Senior Night), 7:30
