North Lenoir’s football team sits in a film session Monday in preparation for Friday’s game against Washington. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

LA GRANGE — If North Lenoir’s flight wasn’t respected early in the season, the Hawks are commanding it now.

North Lenoir is 6-0 for the first time in school history after a 22-8 win over Greene Central Sept. 27. Before this season, the Hawks hadn’t started better than 4-0 and the six-game winning streak is the longest in one year for the team.

Hawks coach Jim Collins said it has been made even more special because of the work the team put in after going through a winless 2018.

“It’s nice to see kids get rewarded for their hard work,” Collins said. “We had a great spring camp, a good summer turnout — 90 percent attendance — (and) I’m very pleased with that.”

North Lenoir quarterback Filipo Sualevai said the team’s preparation in the offseason provided great dividends.

“We were working hard in the weight room and the field — there were no days off,” Sualevai said. “It helped us become the team we are now, and we have a winning mentality.”

Even though North Lenoir won its five nonconference games, the streak wasn’t respected by many outside of The Swamp, as the record of the Hawks’ opponents is a combined 3-25 as of Monday. Collins said the win over Greene Central certainly made some reconsider.

“It was huge because a lot of people were looking at that game as a measuring stick to see where we were at,” Collins said. “Our kids responded great — Greene Central broke that long run early in the game and other than that, I think we pretty much had them bottled up. Our offense took a while to get moving, but once the second half came around I think we dominated them at the line of scrimmage. The type of offense we run, we’re going to be banging every play, so that can wear you down.”

The North Lenoir defense has been strong halfway through the season. The Hawks have allowed 10.2 points per game in its first six contests, second behind Ayden-Grifton, holding half of their opponents to single digits.

“Coach Reid Rouse has been great working with the defense,” Hawks cornerback Tre Olds said. “We’ve been studying a lot of film and that’s what’s helped us with this winning streak.”

Hawks lineman Chris Russell said the team is motivated from last year’s 0-10 season and won’t let the passion dim.

“We just have to keep the same energy and play with intensity no matter what,” Russell said. “We knew that a lot of people were looking at North Lenoir from last year and thought it was going to be like that forever, but everyone’s put in a lot of effort. We want to keep this winning mentality and we’re capable.”

The Hawks’ focus is squarely on Friday’s road contest against Washington.

“We have to keep playing at a high level,” Olds said. “We know Washington is a great team and they’ll be tough, but if we can continue doing our jobs we’ll be alright.”