Baldwin the hero in OT for Northwood

HILLSBOROUGH -- Backup quarterback Harold Baldwin finally got his chance Friday night for Northwood.

The senior, who usually lines up at wide receiver, had to step in under center for starter Sam Griffin, who didn't dress. Baldwin made the most out of his opportunity, scoring on a 2-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down in double overtime, lifting the Chargers to a 6-0 road victory over Cedar Ridge. The win secured their spot in second place in the Carolina Nine 1A/2A conference.

With the score tied 0-0 at the end of regulation, Northwood (10-1, 3-1) got the ball first. The Chargers couldn't move the ball past the 10-yard line and missed a 29-yard field goal that would have given them the lead. But Cedar Ridge (7-4, 2-2) failed to take advantage.

The Red Wolves ran the ball down to the 1-yard line, but on fourth-and-goal decided against trying a field goal. They tried a Jake Geary run instead that ended with a fumble in the end zone.

In the second overtime, Cedar Ridge got the ball first but after two false starts and two sacks, the Wolves found themselves with a third-and-goal from their own 49-yard line. They couldn't convert, setting up Baldwin's heroics.

Shannon Peppers, Northwood's star tailback, was able to grind out 96 yards rushing on 27 carries, while Brent Burnette led Cedar Ridge with 70 yards on 18 carries.