Raleigh RB displays poise, patience on the field — and with college recruiting

Noah Terry carries 220 pounds on his solid 5-foot-10 frame as a running back at Cardinal Gibbons High. Few would be foolish enough to question the senior’s toughness on or off the field — in or out of uniform.

That includes the example of a post-game moment last week when emotions got the best of him.

The Crusaders suffered their first loss against Charlotte Mallard Creek, 20-16, in a showdown of state powers. As Gibbons coach Steven Wright gathered his team at one end of Cardinal Gibbons Stadium, the players took a knee. They formed a u-shaped huddle around their veteran coach.

Wright finished his talk by saying, “Ok, put a hand on a shoulder.”

That’s his signal for players to place a hand on the shoulder of the teammate next to them. Wright reached over to Terry’s shoulder, the player who happened to be closest to him, to lead the prayer.

Terry choked up and fought back tears as he spoke, but he managed to get through it.

“You saw an example of his passion,” Wright said. “He wanted to win and that disappointment was visible. That’s how much the games and the team means to him.”

Terry drew only supportive looks and pats on the helmet. Who was going to say anything different?

“Football is a sport that brings out everything in you,” Terry explained of his emotions taking over. “Our coaches push us every day in practice. I felt I wasn’t my best for my team for that game.”

Meeting self-expectations

Few wouldn’t say Terry was being too hard on himself.

On Gibbons’ opening possession of last week’s game, Wake Forest-bound quarterback Gannon Jones was injured, but Terry finished the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. With Jones’ dual-threat talent on the sideline, Mallard Creek’s run defense — sturdy to begin with — loaded up on Terry.

His final stat line of 19 carries for 70 yards and one score wasn’t enough of a contribution, in his mind, for a back who otherwise averages 5.4 yards a carry.

“I’m competitive,” he said. “I want to win.”

The Crusaders (4-1) have a bye this week before their final non-conference game against Ambassador Christian (3-1-1) at 7 p.m. on October 3 in Huntersville. They open Triangle 6A/7A Conference play against Holly Springs on Oct. 10 at home.

Gibbons entered the Mallard Creek game ranked No. 2 in the state 7A poll, while the Mavericks were No. 2 in the 8A and No. 3 overall in the Sweet 16. This week, Gibbons dropped to No. 6 in 7A, while Mallard Creek remained No. 2 in 8A and No. 3 in the Sweet 16 rankings.

Last week’s game proved a roller coaster for both teams, but Gibbons dealt with the added emotional tug of overcoming losing Jones to a collar bone injury. The third-year starter is out indefinitely.

The Gibbons first-quarter lead evaporated into a 14-7 halftime deficit, but in the second half, backup senior quarterback Connor Lindsey (6-1, 186) gained his footing.

The Crusaders mounted a comeback as they trimmed the deficit to 14-10 on senior Evan Windley’s 39-yard field goal. The next possession Lindsey connected with senior Connor McGeehan for a 14-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to take a 16-14 lead.

The win, though, got away. Mallard Creek bounced back to score the game-winning touchdown on a third-and-10 play that went for 49 yards with 2:06 remaining to play.

Now what?

“We’ve got confidence in Connor Lindsey,” Terry said. “That’s part of our next-guy up mentality. Gannon is a big loss, but he’s still here motivating us. That’s part being a leader.”

‘I want to be on the field’

Terry is ranked a 3-star prospect by recruiting services, while leading the Crusaders in rushing in a balanced offense. He has 73 carries for 396 yards and five touchdowns and four receptions for 35 yards.

He holds offers from Duke and Syracuse and has interest from Group of 5 and Football Championship Subdivision schools. That may be unusual to have Power 4 offers before Group of 5 and FCS offers, but Terry says he’s weighing them equally before his commitment.

“I want the school that’s best for me, whether it’s Power 4, Group of 5 or FCS,” said Terry, who plans to study business management.

Terry enrolled at Cardinal Gibbons last year after he previously played in New Jersey at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and West Orange High. He was third in rushing yards (350) for the 2024 Crusaders, but his nine touchdowns tied for the team lead with Kendall Scotten (916), the leading rusher who graduated, and Jones (539).

Wright says Terry has good vision and hits the hole, but his biggest improvement from a year ago is pass blocking. That skill translates to every football level and my raise his recruiting stock by signing day.

“You’ve got to be an all-downs back,” Terry said. “I see in college and the NFL if you can’t pass block, then you won’t be on the field for third and long. I want to be on the field.”

He says he learned a pass blocking key from his father, Kenneth Terry, a former high school basketball coach in New Jersey. Kenneth relocated to the Triangle following retirement from a 25-year career as a policeman while coaching on the side.

“My dad taught me to always watch the hips,” Noah said. “You won’t take the body fake up top if you watch the hips. Pass blocking also is hard because you’re at a standstill and the linebacker is running at you. You don’t have power from a standstill, but my strength and conditioning, with Coach Wright pushing us, helps with my pass blocking.”

So does possessing a brawny 5-10, 220-pound frame that conveys power and presence.

This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Raleigh RB displays poise, patience on the field — and with college recruiting."