FHS football team advances to sectional championship after taking down Pike High School with a final score of 33-20 in an offensive battle. The Tigers were led by junior running back Matt Noble who rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns against Pike.

Next game the Tigers will be facing a strong 8-2 North Central High School. Last time these teams faced off against each other the Panthers took home the 31-7 win.

“I believe the team is ready for this week,” senior wide receiver Josh Jackson said. “We have gotten better throughout the year and our offense really stepped up like last week.”

North Central is led by senior quarterback Liam Thompson who has thrown for 2,148 yards, adding 20 touchdowns for this season. Thompson is accompanied by senior wide receiver Tre’von Elliot who has received for a total of 836 yards and 10 touchdowns for the season. This duo combined for a total of 426 yards and three touchdowns last time against the Tigers.

“Obviously North Central has a big receiver who has had a good season this year,” senior safety Roman Molden said. “So our number one goal is to stop him and the passing game.”

The Tigers started the season slow with a 1-4 start, but finished the second half of the season with a 3-2 ending including the win against Pike. The Tigers are led by junior quarterback Marcus Roux who took over the offense after senior Jon Vore went down for the season. Playing in six games, Roux has thrown for a total of 421 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side, they are led by senior linebacker Emmanuel Davis who is accompanied by junior linebacker Geoffrey Brown and Molden. This defensive trio has combined for 184 total tackles in eight games.

“I believe there is no pressure on our side because we are seen as the underdog,” Davis said. “North Central has not won a sectional in 25 years so this should be a competitive, hard-hitting game.”