Laney football finally broke through on Friday, Oct. 2, absolutely dominating Topsail with a 34-6 victory in Week 7 of the 2026 North Carolina high school season. This wasn’t just any win; it was a chance for the Buccaneers to leave some serious frustration behind, coming hot off a crushing overtime loss to Ashley in Week 6. They started fast and kept the pedal down all night, cruising to what was arguably their most complete performance yet in an otherwise wild season.
The Rough Road That Led Here
Let’s be real, this season has been anything but normal for Laney in coach Coraey Houser’s first year. They had their opener canceled, not once but twice, because of weather. Then, just for kicks, their locker room got flooded. On top of all that, they somehow got squeezed into playing three games in eight days after a makeup against Northside between Weeks 4 and 5. It’s been a total grind, and the 2026 season definitely hasn’t always gone their way, leaving them sitting at 3-4 overall before this game, though a respectable 2-1 in Carolina Coast play.
Senior running back Jeremiah Brown didn’t mince words after that Ashley loss. “It brought a lot of anger out of us,” he said. “We didn’t execute the right way and that’s why we had to lock in this week.” That fire clearly fueled them. Quarterback Joseph Stough echoed that sentiment, acknowledging the struggle but emphasizing the team’s spirit. “I can’t say it hasn’t been a struggle, but it’s been a fun struggle,” Stough said. “It’s all about just keeping that brotherhood between us. I think that’s what this win proved tonight.” Coach Houser, who remembers standing at midfield in Week 1 as the opener got canceled for the second time, has tried to instill a perspective that the sun will always shine again, even if it’s not always in Wilmington.
The Players Stepping Up and What Comes Next
Jeremiah Brown absolutely went off against Topsail, rushing for more than 170 yards and punching in a touchdown. That kind of performance is exactly what this team needs when things are tough. This win wasn’t just about the scoreboard, it was about showing they could execute when it truly mattered. It also extended their lead in the all-time series against Topsail to a commanding 12-2, and they’re still unbeaten in Hampstead.
More than any stat or historical record, this victory was about rediscovering who they are. Coach Houser put it perfectly: “This is a huge win for us. This win kept us together. … This was a game we needed. It was a game we had to execute and do everything right.” After everything that has made Houser’s first season so unpredictable, Laney finally looked like the team they wanted to become when the fall began. Friday felt a little brighter for the Buccaneers, and if they can carry this momentum forward, this “huge win” just might be the spark that ignites the rest of their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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