Falcons Nest - April 17
A weekly recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS Girls Soccer
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 2-0, W and 4-0 W
The middle school girls soccer team had an outstanding week, sweeping Fayetteville Academy with a 2-0 win at home and a 4-0 victory on the road. The Falcons handled challenging high temperatures with poise and never let the conditions slow them down. In both matches, they controlled possession and moved the ball with confidence, dictating the pace of play from start to finish. With those results, the team now sits tied for first place in the league with just two games remaining. The team is right where they want to be heading into the final stretch of the season.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 2-0, W and 4-0 W
The middle school girls soccer team had an outstanding week, sweeping Fayetteville Academy with a 2-0 win at home and a 4-0 victory on the road. The Falcons handled challenging high temperatures with poise and never let the conditions slow them down. In both matches, they controlled possession and moved the ball with confidence, dictating the pace of play from start to finish. With those results, the team now sits tied for first place in the league with just two games remaining. The team is right where they want to be heading into the final stretch of the season.
Varsity Girls Soccer
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 3-1, W
On Tuesday, the Falcons hosted Fayetteville Academy in a physical, midfield-heavy match, but O’Neal controlled the tempo throughout. Senior Jordin Reed opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, picking off a goal kick, settling the ball, and chipping it over the goalkeeper. Just before halftime, 8th grader Haddie Habets played a perfectly timed ball from midfield through the defense for Reed to run onto, finishing past the keeper to give the Falcons a 2–0 lead at the break. Reed later drew a hard challenge outside the 18, setting up a free kick that Lilly Hobson calmly placed into the upper left corner for O’Neal’s third goal of the night.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: 3-1, W
On Tuesday, the Falcons hosted Fayetteville Academy in a physical, midfield-heavy match, but O’Neal controlled the tempo throughout. Senior Jordin Reed opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, picking off a goal kick, settling the ball, and chipping it over the goalkeeper. Just before halftime, 8th grader Haddie Habets played a perfectly timed ball from midfield through the defense for Reed to run onto, finishing past the keeper to give the Falcons a 2–0 lead at the break. Reed later drew a hard challenge outside the 18, setting up a free kick that Lilly Hobson calmly placed into the upper left corner for O’Neal’s third goal of the night.
O’Neal vs Carolina Friends: 6-1, W
On Thursday, the Falcons traveled to Durham to take on Carolina Friends. With no common opponents between the two teams, O’Neal entered the match without much scouting information and started slowly as they adjusted to play. Reed again broke through, winning a foot race with defenders and sending a cross that carried over the goalkeeper into the net. Both teams were awarded penalty kicks following handballs in the box, with senior Kennedi Hamner converting for the Falcons. Carolina Friends also converted their attempt, but that would be their only goal against a strong O’Neal defense.
The Falcons found their rhythm in the second half with excellent passing and increased pressure. Reed added another breakaway goal early in the half, and sophomore Sydney Davis delivered a perfect corner kick that Reed finished for her hat trick. Habets then battled through a 1v1 with the keeper before finishing to add another goal and later combined with Reed on a series of give-and-go passes downfield, allowing Reed to seal the match with O’Neal’s sixth goal.
Despite ongoing illness and injuries, the team continues to adapt with players stepping into new roles and responsibilities. The coaching staff is proud of the energy, effort, and resilience shown as the Falcons head into their final week of the regular season. The team will recognize its four seniors prior to the game on Tuesday, 4/21 against Freedom Christian.
On Thursday, the Falcons traveled to Durham to take on Carolina Friends. With no common opponents between the two teams, O’Neal entered the match without much scouting information and started slowly as they adjusted to play. Reed again broke through, winning a foot race with defenders and sending a cross that carried over the goalkeeper into the net. Both teams were awarded penalty kicks following handballs in the box, with senior Kennedi Hamner converting for the Falcons. Carolina Friends also converted their attempt, but that would be their only goal against a strong O’Neal defense.
The Falcons found their rhythm in the second half with excellent passing and increased pressure. Reed added another breakaway goal early in the half, and sophomore Sydney Davis delivered a perfect corner kick that Reed finished for her hat trick. Habets then battled through a 1v1 with the keeper before finishing to add another goal and later combined with Reed on a series of give-and-go passes downfield, allowing Reed to seal the match with O’Neal’s sixth goal.
Despite ongoing illness and injuries, the team continues to adapt with players stepping into new roles and responsibilities. The coaching staff is proud of the energy, effort, and resilience shown as the Falcons head into their final week of the regular season. The team will recognize its four seniors prior to the game on Tuesday, 4/21 against Freedom Christian.
MS Co-Ed Golf
The O’Neal Middle School golf team competed in a three-team, 9-hole match on Monday at Beacon Ridge Golf Club in West End. The low four scores from each team counted toward the team total, with Highlanders and St. John Paul II also participating.
O’Neal finished third with a team score of 200. Highlanders took first place with a 162, followed by St. John Paul II with a 186.
Individual scores for O’Neal were: Will Simmons 39, Johnny Berry 52, Rafe Hardee 53, Grayson Jones 56, Hudson Nichols 61
The O’Neal Middle School golf team competed in a three-team, 9-hole match on Monday at Beacon Ridge Golf Club in West End. The low four scores from each team counted toward the team total, with Highlanders and St. John Paul II also participating.
O’Neal finished third with a team score of 200. Highlanders took first place with a 162, followed by St. John Paul II with a 186.
Individual scores for O’Neal were: Will Simmons 39, Johnny Berry 52, Rafe Hardee 53, Grayson Jones 56, Hudson Nichols 61
Varsity Boys Golf
On Wednesday, the O’Neal varsity boys golf team traveled to Wedgewood Golf Course in Wilson, NC to compete in the Tarheel Youth Golf Association’s Wedgewood High School Shootout. The event featured 18 schools from across North Carolina, with the low four scores counting toward each team’s total.
O’Neal finished 14th overall with a team score of 321 (+33). Samar Sandhu and Luke Valkovics led the Falcons with standout rounds of 72 and 73, respectively. Additional scores for O’Neal included Timothy Hu (88), Charles Monroe (88), and Andrew Hobbs (89).
On Wednesday, the O’Neal varsity boys golf team traveled to Wedgewood Golf Course in Wilson, NC to compete in the Tarheel Youth Golf Association’s Wedgewood High School Shootout. The event featured 18 schools from across North Carolina, with the low four scores counting toward each team’s total.
O’Neal finished 14th overall with a team score of 321 (+33). Samar Sandhu and Luke Valkovics led the Falcons with standout rounds of 72 and 73, respectively. Additional scores for O’Neal included Timothy Hu (88), Charles Monroe (88), and Andrew Hobbs (89).
Varsity Boys Tennis
O'Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 3-6, L
Back from spring break, the Falcons had just one day of practice to shake off the rust before hosting conference rival Fayetteville Academy on Tuesday, April 14. Despite the limited preparation, the team came out competitive and ready to battle.
Doubles play, as usual, set the tone for the match. The Falcons came close to securing key victories at both the No. 1 and No. 2 lines—matches that ultimately could have shifted the overall result—but fell just short in tightly contested sets.
In singles action, the Falcons showed resilience and grit. At No. 1, Ethan Kim battled through a tough three-set match, emerging victorious in a third-set tiebreak. Will French mirrored that effort at No. 2, also grinding out a win in a decisive tiebreaker. Joseph Lucas made a strong return to the lineup at No. 3, earning a straight-sets victory, 7-6, 6-3.
While the Falcons came up short on the final scoreline, the team showed clear progress against a familiar rival, capturing three lines in a much-improved performance. The team saw more practice days over the remaining week and will close out regular season play next week.
O'Neal vs. Fayetteville Academy: 3-6, L
Back from spring break, the Falcons had just one day of practice to shake off the rust before hosting conference rival Fayetteville Academy on Tuesday, April 14. Despite the limited preparation, the team came out competitive and ready to battle.
Doubles play, as usual, set the tone for the match. The Falcons came close to securing key victories at both the No. 1 and No. 2 lines—matches that ultimately could have shifted the overall result—but fell just short in tightly contested sets.
In singles action, the Falcons showed resilience and grit. At No. 1, Ethan Kim battled through a tough three-set match, emerging victorious in a third-set tiebreak. Will French mirrored that effort at No. 2, also grinding out a win in a decisive tiebreaker. Joseph Lucas made a strong return to the lineup at No. 3, earning a straight-sets victory, 7-6, 6-3.
While the Falcons came up short on the final scoreline, the team showed clear progress against a familiar rival, capturing three lines in a much-improved performance. The team saw more practice days over the remaining week and will close out regular season play next week.
Track & Field
The O’Neal Track & Field team traveled to Louisburg High School for their fifth meet of the season, facing one of their largest and most competitive fields yet—along with the hottest temperatures of the year so far. Despite the challenging conditions, the athletes did an excellent job staying hydrated and fueled, rising to the occasion across both individual and relay events, with the team competing in nearly every relay offered. Ashton Coon led the way with a 1st place finish in the 100m (11.19), while Gabe Marrero and Sam Schmitz delivered a strong 1–2 finish in the 800m. Murphy Stanton placed 5th in shotput, quickly transitioned to a relay on the track, and then returned to throw a 10-foot personal best in discus. The middle school athletes also impressed against tough competition, highlighted by 8th grader Abigail Holroyd, who recorded a remarkable 3-foot personal best in the long jump. The team is hitting their full stride coming to the back end of the season!
MS Baseball
The Falcons return home for their final home game of the season as The O’Neal Middle School Baseball team takes on the Highlanders, with first pitch set for 3:00 PM. This is more than just another game—it’s a chance to celebrate the team’s hard work, growth, and dedication all season long while defending their home field one last time. Let’s pack the stands, bring the energy, and show our support as the Falcons look to finish strong in front of their home crowd.
The Falcons return home for their final home game of the season as The O’Neal Middle School Baseball team takes on the Highlanders, with first pitch set for 3:00 PM. This is more than just another game—it’s a chance to celebrate the team’s hard work, growth, and dedication all season long while defending their home field one last time. Let’s pack the stands, bring the energy, and show our support as the Falcons look to finish strong in front of their home crowd.
Varsity Boys Baseball
O'Neal vs. Berean Baptist: 12-2, W
O'Neal vs. Berean Baptist: 12-2, W
The Falcons did not lose their stride coming back from Spring Break. In a big game, held at Berean on Monday, O'Neal was lead by Joseph Lucas who had a double and a triple going 2-2 on the day with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Liam Enslin and Jack Habets also had RBIs in a game where pitching/plate discipline won the game. Joey Wade threw 3 innings of work and struck out 7. Liam came in relief for 2 innings and struck out 3. The two pitchers combined for only allowing 1 hit!
O'Neal vs. Sandhills Classical Christian: 1-11, L
This was a tough game for the Falcons who could not find their footing in the matchup with Sandhills on Tuesday. O'Neal was held to 4 hits all game. Liam Enslin lead the team with 2 hits followed by a hit from Oliver Gabor and Joey Wade. Ollie lead the way on the mound pitching very well giving up only a few earned runs. Defense struggled in the hot away game held across the street at Sandhills Community College.
O'Neal vs. Christ the Cornerstone Academy: 9-15, L
In what turned out to be a slugfest, the Falcons unfortunately came out with the short end last night. Cornerstone had a total of 11 hits while your Falcons had 10. Errors got the best of our boys, but energy was higher and the hunger was still there. The Falcons were down 12-0 at one point and brought the game back to life scoring 6 in the 5th inning after giving up 8 in the 3rd . Oliver Gabor lead the charge with a fantastic day at the plate going 3-3 with a double. Ollie and Charlie Borland came across the plate 2 times. Liam Enslin came away with 3 RBIs, Joey Wade came out with 2 hits, and Jack Habets had an electric double over the left fielder's head to spark another rally. Liam pitched almost the entire game, striking out 7 in 5.2 innings of work.
Please come out and support your Falcons as the take on Freedom Christian Academy at home next Tuesday for Senior Recognition at 4 pm.
Falcons Athletics Next Week: 4/20/26 - 4/24/26
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 4/20/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy | MSBASE | AWAY | 4:00PM |
MON | 4/20/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy | MSGSOC | AWAY | 4:00PM |
TUE | 4/21/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy Senior Recognition 3:45PM | BASE | O'Neal | 4:00PM |
TUE | 4/21/2026 | Freedom Christian Academy Senior Recognition 4:00PM | GSOC | O'Neal | 4:30PM |
THU | 4/23/2026 | Village Christian Academy Senior Recognition 3:15PM | BTN | O'Neal | 3:30PM |
THU | 4/23/2026 | Berean Baptist Academy | GSOC | AWAY | 6:00PM |
THU | 4/23/2026 | Berean Baptist Academy | MSGSOC | AWAY | 4:00PM |
SAT | 4/25/2026 | O'Neal Track Meet @ Union Pines | T&F | O'Neal | 9:00AM |
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