By Jack Voight, Sports Editor
Friday Night Lights flew back on Dare County after the Nighthawks kicked off their season with their opening home game Friday the 13th, which unfortunately ended in a tough loss to Edenton.
The much-delayed kick-off to the Nighthawk football season finally arrived, after weather delays on two separate occasions from Hurricane Dorian. This has Nighthawks currently sitting at 0-3 to start off the season after an away loss to Gates County in a close game earlier this season.
The team plans to build off of their 2018 season and believes that improvement is in their future, even if it might take some work to get there.
“It’s probably one of the hardest seasons that I’ve ever faced because I’ve never had a team so inexperienced,” Prince said.
Coach Prince is ready to help lead a team who graduated sixteen seniors and only holds three current seniors. But even with their lack of experience, Coach Prince still believes the team has what it takes to be successful.
“I’m proud of the way they’ve executed. I think we got some really skilled guys.” Prince said
With the small amount of seniors, the team is finding leadership from other places, such as junior Cole Tomlin, who has made a transition from cornerback and receiver last season, to quarterback this season, while splitting time with sophomore Porter Braddy.
Tomlin believes the team is prepared for the season ahead and hopes they can improve upon their five wins from last season.
“We want to win as many games as we won last year,” Tomlin said. “Most of the guys on the team have been working out since January.”
The team is looking to improve their record in an upcoming game at home against Camden on Sept. 27.
Though the start may not have gone exactly the way the Nighthawks wanted, Prince and the team are keeping a positive mindset for the rest of the season.
“The biggest thing I want people to know is that when you do things with enthusiasm you do things better,” Prince said.
Junior Jack Voight can be reached at “21VOIGHTJA99@daretolearn.org.”
