North Lenoir jumped ahead 12-0 and carried a 12-6 advantage into halftime, but Ayden-Grifton took control in the second half and scored 24 unanswered points to defeat the Hawks 30-12.
Kinston shut out North Lenoir 45-0 for its 10th straight rivalry win, setting up a winner-take-all showdown with South Lenoir for the Jimmy Smith Cup and Lenoir County bragging rights.
Greene Central scored 21 first-quarter points and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 49-20 season-opening win over North Lenoir. Josh Cetnar accounted for four touchdowns, while Donovan Ingram and Jaylen Wooten turned in big rushing performances.
After practice on July 28th, 10 North Lenoir football players who volunteered to participate were baptized by Coach Mike Fields in a large oval metal tub. The school principal, parents, coaches, teammates and community members, including Mike Jenkins, were present to support the athletes.
North Lenoir head football coach Larry Dale has resigned after three seasons to pursue a move into school administration, leaving behind a legacy of leadership that reached far beyond wins and losses.