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HIGH POINT - After losing three close games to quality opponents, Northwest Guilford knew they were on the verge of a breakthrough.

Friday night at Simeon Stadium, the Vikings got the big win they wanted.

Behind an offensive line that manhandled High Point Central and a defense that constantly harassed the Bison quarterback, Northwest Guilford came away with an 18-3 victory in a game that really wasn't as close as the score would indicate.

"This is a good win against a very good football team," Northwest coach Joe Woodruff said. "We laid down the law this week and told them we've got to do what we do, but do it better. They were powerful."

After holding a 11-3 halftime lead, Northwest Guilford (4-4 overall, 1-1 Metro 4-A) took control in the third quarter.

The Vikings took the second-half kickoff and methodically marched down the field with a 14-play drive that ended with a John Cruz 5-yard touchdown. Cruz, Chris Kennedy and Sean Ples had plenty of running room all night behind a powerful offensive line. On the decisive drive, every play was a running play.

"We struggled the last couple of weeks," Kennedy said. "But we were hungry this week. We have been working hard and playing football for fun again. And we played as one tonight. We weren't selfish."

Ples, a sophomore, finished with 152 yards rushing. He said the Vikings had a very intense week of practice, and the offense made sure it was prepared for the Bison.

"We stepped up a lot in practice this week," Ples said. "The scout team had almost the entire first team defense on it, so we were ready for them."

The Vikings defense was just as impressive. They either sacked or intercepted the Bison quarterbacks, Drew Adams and Desmeion Kennedy, on every second-half possession.

With all the sacks, the Bison (5-3 overall, 1-1 Metro 4-A) had minus-27 yards rushing and 156 yards of total offense. They fumbled six times and had two passes intercepted.

Northwest Guilford started the scoring when it took its opening possession and went 74 yards. A 44-yard run by Ples set up his 1-yard touchdown three plays later.

NWG - Sean Ples 1 run (Carlo Gagliardo run)

HPC - Austin Miller 32 FG

NWG - Brian Haselberger 34 FG

NWG - John Cruz 5 run (Chase Hoke kick)