by: Payton Bell

Under the bright lights on Sept. 6, Greensboro College and Guilford College competed for the Battle of GC and the yearly Soup Bowl. The heated environment on the Quakers’ field and in the stands left fans breathless until the final whistle. Ultimately, with under two minutes left in the game, Greensboro secured the Soup Bowl victory—a notable night for the team as they earned their first win against Guilford since 2012.

The Soup Bowl is a yearly rivalry between Greensboro College and Guilford College and serves as a large food drive aimed at raising awareness about food insecurity. To enter the game, each person was required to bring a minimum of four cans of food. Not only did Greensboro win on the field, but they also triumphed off the field—GC collected over 1,700 cans at the Soup Bowl, tripling their total from the previous year.

This game made an impact beyond the football field, creating an opportunity for students and others to give back to the community. Most of the donated goods went to the Greensboro Urban Ministries, a local resource center for those in need.

On the field, defense dominated the football team’s win over Guilford. Numerous times, the Quakers were forced to punt, opening the door for the Greensboro offense to regain control. GC was led by sophomore Frank Walker, who totaled eight tackles and a sack, and junior Kalil Marcus, who finished with six tackles on the night.

“We knew the standard we had set for ourselves this coming season, and we only looked to be better than that,” Marcus said about how the team prepared defensively. “We pushed ourselves every day during preseason, built bonds and chemistry, and players and coaches trusted one another.”

Marcus also acknowledged junior linebacker Jay Law. “We understood we needed to make plays after giving up an early touchdown. Law stepped up when it mattered most, clinching the game with those two late interceptions.”

The team’s resilience and determination to break the 13-year losing streak against Guilford is exactly what the Pride needed to begin their 2025 season. “Our Year” is the football team’s motto this season.

“Every win is a big win, but starting off the year 1-0 helps create momentum going through the season,” said Head Coach Tyler Card regarding the meaning of the win for him and the team as they continue into the USA South Conference games. “It builds confidence in our team. The Soup Bowl is always a very emotional and high-intensity game also. We have a great team and can go far in the USA South this year if we really push.”

This was not just a simple game—this victory was a testament to the Pride’s grit and underdog spirit. During the second half, emotions were high as the score was tied 7-7 entering the third quarter, but the Pride charged back onto the field, ready to fight. Senior quarterback Josh Sims threw two touchdown passes in the last half, securing the win for the Pride.

“We showed a lot of grit finishing out that game,” Card said about the emotional win. “This game we overcame issues in the first half, and we were able to finish strong and get some offensive scores and defensive stops when we needed them.”

Not only does the Pride start the season with a win, but one player earned special recognition. Freshman wide receiver Sincere McIntyre was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for USA South. This early accolade raises questions about how such honors influence team spirit and focus.

“What a great honor for this young man,” Card stated. “He did exactly what we asked him to do, as did the other ten players on that play. It created momentum right out the gate. Our team sees that we can be successful and be able to play with anyone on our schedule.”

The transformation of this football team has been nothing short of extraordinary. This victory showcases the perseverance of every player and coach. Each member of the program not only rewrote their record but also proved that with family and hard work, the most daunting odds can be overcome. The Soup Bowl was more than just a win—it was a statement, signaling that the Pride’s future is bright this 2025 season.