In Their Own Words - Voices of the PAC-6 - New Bern vs. Hillside (12/9/2010)

PHOTO BY MARK DOLEJS

The Hornets are going to the Big Dance after a thrilling come from behind victory over the New Bern Bears, their staunchest competition yet this year. It took an incredible goal line stand and a total team effort led by impressive plays by senior quarterback Vad Lee, but the Hornets were certainly All in on Friday night and as a result will be heading to Winston-Salem and the home of Wake Forest University to take on Davie County for a chance to be named NCHSAA 4A State Champions!

The Hornets knew that going into their contest with New Bern they would be facing one of their most physical and athletic opponents so far this season.  On Friday night, the Bears played like a team that knew what it meant to be on the verge of punching a ticket to the big stage and although the Hornets haven't made it that far they were equally up for the task.

After an impressive goal line stand by the Hornet defense to close out the first half and keep the game close with New Bern up by just seven, the Hornets and specifically Vad Lee made the big plays in the second half including an aerial strike of 50+ yards to Aquez Willis for a score and a 62 yard vintage Lee scramble and score to put the Hornets up for good and punch their ticket to the 4A State Championship game.  The following quotes are from the voices of the PAC-6 and were included in articles from the News and Observer and Herald-Sun.  For more information on the game, follow the links provided at the end of the post.


The motto for the Hornets during the season has been consistent, All in 2010, and on Friday night it took great effort and everyone doing the little things at the right time to get the Hornets into the 4A State Championship game.  Quarterback Vad Lee spoke after the game about the team effort and in general the big plays he was associated with that put the Hornets ahead.

"We've talked all year about going to the championship game and we've done it," Lee said. "It came down to making a play and that's what I did.  We took care of the ball.  I knew we were ready to play."

The Hornets fell behind in the second quarter and as the intermission approached were on the verge of finding themselves in a two score deficit, but the Swarmin' Hornet defense rose to the occasion and stonewalled the Bear attack on a fourth and goal to preserve the one score hole heading into the half.  Hillside head coach, Antonio King spoke about this defining moment for his squad.

"The guys sucked it up and played a great second half," King said. "They played like we're supposed to and they never quit.  It was the eastern regional championship game.  It wasn't as easy as some people though it would be.  I'm happy for the team.  They deserve it. The defense felt a little underrated and they stepped up and did what they were supposed to do."

King went on to discuss how he felt about the complexion of the game as both teams entered the intermission, with the Hornets trailing and continued to praise the defense.

"We left the field only down 7-0 after playing our worst quarter of football all year," King said. "The stop was huge.  We're built for that.  The offense has gotten all the glory but the old cliche that defense wins championships is true."

The defense made a number of plays for the Hornets on Friday evening and one of the more notable plays revolved around Hillside's Lee Williams.  In New Bern's second to last possession of the game, Williams tackled a New Bern running back in the backfield for a 20+ yard loss after the Bears had reached the Hillside 14 yard line.  The play effectively moved the Bears out of field goal range and ultimately led to New Bern going from a red zone opportunity to punting the ball away with time running out.  Williams commented on this huge play.

"I just made the play," Williams said. "My eyes lit up when I saw him turning back the other way. The defense played outstanding. We played hard.  It's overwhelming because we've been going hard all season.  It's nice to know that hard work pays off."

Coach King commented on the victory and put it in perspective with regards to the Hornets controversial loss to Douglas Byrd two years earlier that kept a talented Hillside squad from reaching the 2008 state championship round.

"We deserve it," said King. "The fans, the school, the kids, everybody. Two years ago we were at this point, and my kids didn't quit.  They sucked it up and came back and played a great second half."

King concluded by stating the obvious after a hard-fought victory over the New Bern Bears - and made sure that whomever their opponent would be that something should be known about the Hillside Hornets.

"We're going to Wake Forest next week, huh?" King said. "Eleven o'clock next Saturday morning we will be ready to go."

The Durham Herald-Sun (article by Joe Johnson)
News & Observer (article by Terry Hill)