Concord defeated Northwest Cabarrus 29-20 in first round 3A playoff action.

Senior quarterback Jordan Havinga came on in relief to direct the Spiders offense. Freshman quarterback B.J. Beecher missed the game due to a broken foot suffered in the Hickory Ridge Game. Beecher had directed the Spiders to 5 straight victories after an 0-6 start.

Northwest wasted little time scoring on their first possession when Calvin Nelson broke loose for a 51 yard touchdown run.

Concord answered later in the 1st quarter with a long drive that was capped by Dominique Posey's 5 yard touchdown run. Brandon Barnhardt added the extra point. That drive was setup by Jason Willix's 43 yard punt return.

The teams exchanged turnovers and the 1st quarter ended with Concord leading 7-6.

Early in the second quarter Spider cornerback Mark O'Brien picked off a Jeremy Cannon pass and returned it to the Trojan's 12 yard line. The Spiders went to the Wildcat formation and Dominique Posey scored 2 plays later from 4 yards out.

Later after a Trojan punt the Spiders went back to the wildcat and Posey torched the Trojan defense for an 86 yard touchdown to put the Spiders up 21-6.

The Concord defense held the Trojans again on the next possession. Ben Kelnhoffer recorded his second sack and Darrin Posey recovered a Trojan fumble with 1:12 remaining in the first half.

Concord advanced the ball but ran out of time and Brandon Barnhardt made a 37 yard field goal to end the first half with the Spiders up 24-6.

Concord took the opening kickoff to start the second half and advanced the ball deep into Trojan territory. However the drive stalled and Barnhardt added a 27 yard field goal.

Trojan quarterback Jeremy Cannon got into the action on the next possession scoring from 31 yards out. The third quarter ended with the Spiders ahead 27-13.

The Trojan's offense stayed hot into the fouth quarter. The Trojans put together another sustained drive capped by Cannon's 11 yard touchdown pass to Richard Cotton.

With the Spiders holding onto a 27-20 lead the teams exchanged possessions to use most of the time in the quarter. However the Trojans got a key stop forcing a Spider punt late in the game. Concord punter Brandon Barnhardt's punt was downed at the one yard line forcing the Trojans to cover the entire field to tie.

Concord defensive end Darrin Posey ended the Trojan's chances sacking Jeremy Cannon in the endzone for a Spider safety.

Northwest attemped an onside kick but it was recovered by Spider wide receiver Terrence Highsmith.

Jordan Havinga finished 9-17 for 110 yards and one interception. Dominique Posey continued his strong play with 29 carries for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Spider defense was led by Ben Kelnhoffer and Jason Wilix with 5 tackles each. Kelnhoffer also recorded three sacks. Wesley Scott added two sacks. The defense also forced 4 turnovers. Wesley Scott and Darrin Posey recovered fumbles and Mark O'Brien and Jalen Brown had interceptions. Trojan quarterback Jeremy Cannon was held to 52 yards rushing and 50 yards passing.

The Spiders advance to the second round where they will play Hibriten, #1 seed in the Western Region.

Stats courtesy Scott Dyer and Billy Lyerly.

Photos coming soon from Dale Barbee.

Click on the pictures below to enlarge.