Whether it was after leading the Chapel Hill football team to its first playoff victory in 44 years in 2007, becoming the first coach in school history to beat Northern Durham three consecutive times on the road in 2008 or laboring through a 3-8 season in 2006, Marsh almost never drops his stoic nature. He's never too ecstatic after victories and never too dour after loses.

That's why the victory huddle after Chapel Hill's 17-8 victory over Southern Vance on Friday night was so prominent. Marsh emerged from the celebration with tears in his eyes.

"It's a good feeling because a lot of people counted us out," said Marsh, whose team started the year 0-4. "It's a testament to the coaches and the entire Chapel Hill High community, from the teachers to the administrators to the players."

Marsh had reason to be emotional. He had just watched 14 of his seniors win their final regular season home game, and every one of them had something to do with it.

There was strong safety Russell Suitt, who intercepted a pass from Raiders quarterback James Harris and raced 59 yards, leading to the touchdown that put the game away. And defensive end Davon Sutherland was forced to make his first ever start on the offensive line because of a broken wrist suffered by Andrew Wade-Bell. And Thomas Pham, pressed into duty as a fullback after starter Christian Strong was injured against Northern Vance, recovered a CHHS fumble to save a drive which ended with a touchdown.

The list of big plays by seniors goes on, but it was poetic justice that quarterback Winston Washington clinched the game with a 21-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-21 near midfield to senior Nick Gillespie with 8:57 remaining.

It was Gillespie's first-ever receiving touchdown.

Washington had spent the previous three years as a starting safety, but was forced to become a quarterback for his senior year after starter John Haus graduated in May.

Perhaps the reason why Marsh was so emotional was because he was watching young players grow into men before his eyes. After slogging through a 0-4 start and getting outscored 116-34 in the process, the Tigers now have won five of six games and are virtually assured of a playoff birth.

Daniel Watson gained only 60 yards through the first four games of the year. Now, he's rushed for over 100 in four of his last five games.

Washington struggled to learn the offense at first, forcing the Tigers to implement a two-quarterback system with Steven Wistner following a 42-0 loss to Pittsboro Northwood. Now, Washington is a reliable signal caller with Wistner an established vertical threat.

"Winston has been one of those guys who has been up on varsity for four years," said Marsh. "He's seen the highs, the lows and he's still here. He never misses a practice, sometimes he even walks here during the summer when he doesn't have a ride. For him to end his senior night by throwing a touchdown pass is remarkable."

Chapel Hill struggled to take advantage of opportunities early in the game, driving into the Raiders' red zone three times, only to come away with one field goal. The Tigers' opening seven-play, 48-yard drive was triggered by three strong runs from Watson, and ended with a 26-yard field goal from Andrew Dejong.

The Tigers drove to the Raiders' 8-yard line on their ensuing drive, but it stalled after Wistner was sacked by defensive linemen Shaquille LeMay, and Delong pushed the field goal wide right.

Early in the second quarter, Southern Vance's first major drive was killed when linebacker Carlos Hill intercepted a pass at the four-yard line, but Washington was sacked in the end zone by Shaquille LeMay on the very next play for a safety to narrow the CHHS lead to 3-2. On the ensuing free kick, LeMay got a 30-yard return, enhanced by a horse collar penalty. Harris scored on a 20-yard quarterback draw to give the Raiders a 8-3 lead.

Southern wasted no time launching a threat in the second half when Harris hit wide receiver Marc Boyd for a 42-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage, but Washington picked off a pass in the end zone with 8:57 remaining in the third quarter.

Then Chapel Hill went on the drive that not only won the game, but showed how far the Tigers have come. Watson and Pham alternated carries before Wistner hit senior Kyle Duffy for a 23-yard strike. Watson then scored the game-winning touchdown on four-and-one at the goal to give the Tigers a 10-8 lead.

Elsewhere in area football, Hillside won 39-0 at East Chapel Hill, Carrboro got 260 passing yards from Derek Bryant and a fourth win (necessary to qualify for the NCHSAA playoffs) with 42-14 victory over Granville Central at Carrboro, Cardinal Gibbons won 20-7 at Orange to lock up the Carolina-Nine title, and Cedar Ridge lost 16-14 at South Granville. Northwood had an open date.

Next week, East Chapel Hill plays at Roxboro Person, Chapel Hill will be at Orange, Northwood will be at Cedar Ridge and Carrboro hosts Pasquotank in a non-conference game. That ends the regular season for all area teams. The NCHSAA playoffs begin Nov. 13.

CHAPEL HILL 17, SOUTHERN VANCE 8

Friday, Oct. 30

At Culton-Peerman Stadium

CH-Andrew DeJong 26 FG

SV-James Harris 20 run (pass failed)

CH-Daniel Watson 1 run (Dejong kick)

CH-Nick Gillespie 21 pass from Winston Washington (Dejong kick)

Rushing: SVN -- Nunu Henderson 12-101, Harris 9-31, Tommy Warren 1-0, team 1-(-1). CHHS -- Watson 26-144 (TD), Thomas Pham 4-12, Washington 5-10, Evan Jones 1-(-1), Steven Wistner 6-(-31)

Passing: SVN -- Harris 10-22 120 yards 3 int. CHHS -- Wistner 8-16-80, Washington 1-3-21 (TD.)

Receiving: SVN -- Darrian Ragland 5-64, Henderson 3-16, Marc Boyd 1-42, Warren 1-(-2). CHHS -- Kyle Duffy 3-34, Gillespie 2-35 (TD), Wistner 2-18, Washington 2-14.