Two big games this week and a possible blowout. Conference title is on the line between Salisbury-N Rowan and the Thomasville-Lexington game has big playoff and RPI meaning. East Davidson-West Davidson is finishing up the season likely for both.

Salisbury-NR: Conference title is on the line with the #1 1A and #1 2A seeds clashing in Rowan County. NR 8-1 (#5 1A RPI) is a really good 1A team with its only loss to 2A (RPI #2) Forest Hills 8-1. Salisbury 9-0 and the 2A (RPI #5) is the favorite to win the game. They have beaten NR 3-4 years in a row and are very a very strong team. I think NR gives them a good game but Salisbury wins the CCC title and finishes 10-0. NR will be 8-2 and a tough game in the playoffs in November with the season they have put together against strong competition.

Thomasville-Lexington: Thomasville 6-3 and riding a three game winning streak plays at Lexington 5-4 and riding a two game losing streak against CCC powers N Rowan and Salisbury. A win for both teams is big in the playoffs for RPI and seeding. Thomasville has won the last many meetings dating back a while and is the favorite. The Jackets have proven they can beat good teams and are always a hard game for the Bulldogs. Tempers will fllair, trash will be talked and you can throw the records out in this one. Thomasville lost to Salisbury 12-6 and NR 16-12 and could have won both games. Lexington lost to Salisbury 44-13 and NR 21-14. I am going wth the Bulldogs by 2-3 TD's as they prepare for the 1A playoffs and a possible run in November.

East Davidson 3-6 and West 0-9 meet in a game that can only help the Golden Eagles. West lost to S Davidson friday to seal their fate as the bottom feeder of the CCC again. East has one player the Dragons cannot handle in Brogan Hill. Guy scored three TD's against TVille friday and could have a career night against West. A win probably gets ED a first round beating on the road and a 4-6 record. What was once a long time rival nowadays is all in favor of ED. ED wins 42-6.

As of today September 28, 2023 who should be favored to finish 3rd place in the Big South Conference? My vote is Huss.

Wallace Rose Hill 6-3 5-0
East Duplin 9-1 4-1
Southwest Onslow 5-4 4-1
James Kenan 6-3 3-2
Kinston 3-6 1-4
North Lenoir 2-7 1-4
South Lenoir 1-9 0-6

LAST WEEK
Wrh 20 ED 14ot
Swo 34 Jk 24
NL 20 SL 12
Kinston opened

THIS WEEK
Wallace Rose Hill @ James Kenan
Southwest Onslow @ East Duplin
Kinston @ North Lenoir
South Lenoir season is over

MY PICKS
Kinston is coming off a bye week, and one would think that they have focus on their run game, if so I think Kinston will win this game by 14+. North Lenoir run game will be the key, if their star back can get 150+, then I believe that NL will win. I think Kinston wins 34-28.

Swo has won 4 in a row and seems to be ready for a playoff run. While ED is coming off their first loss of the season, will they be able to bounce back? ED defense is better than JK's defense, and JK defense did a great job on swo for a half. I think ED starts fast and hold off Swo in the end. ED 28 Swo 20

GAME OF THE WEEK

The James Kenan that most expected to show up this season only showed up for a few drives during the whole season. A very disappointment for Tiger nation. Wallace has turned things around and are the newly crowned ECC champions. Did Wallace leave everything on the field against ED and are looking past a JK team that can still be dangerous? Will Jk try to savage a disappointing season with a win over their rivals, something they haven't accomplished in 10 straight games. The last two meetings have been decided by a td, including a 38-31 overtime win by the dogs last year in Wallace. So who wins this one? I have seen some crazy things happen in this rivalry, and I have NEVER picked against my Tigers 🐅. And I won't start now! I believe that my Tigers will come out swinging and pull off a thrilling upset 28-27. LET'S GOOOO TIGERS 🐅

Good luck to all teams!

On paper EW should win this game easily, however look what unfolded in Elkin a few weeks ago. If my calculations are correct, with an Elkin loss to Starmount and Alleghany loss to Mt. Airy would move EW to third in conference.

Next week... Who wins?

Post here and often.

How would Murphy have done had they played in the 2A playoffs those 2 years ?

JM Robinson 8-0 (6-0)
NW Cabarrus 8-0 ( 5-0)
Concord 5-3 ( 3-3)
West Rowan 3-5 ( 3-2)
Carson 3-5 ( 2-3)
Central Cabarrus 2-6 ( 1-4)
South Rowan 2-6 ( 1-4)
East Rowan 0-8 ( 0-5)

JM Robinson vs NW Cabarrus ( Game of the week for the conference )
Concord vs West Rowan
Central Cabarrus vs Carson
East Rowan vs South Rowan

My picks
JM Robinson
West Rowan in a close one
Carson
East Rowan gets their 1st win in a close one

Im a northwest guy but someone gotta start this thread....one of top 3 rivalries in nc imo

Post those 2A scores as they happen tonight!

With the regular season wrapping up, here’s some stats to look at from the previous two seasons results. I only went back two years because of the realignment.

2022: The eventual state champion only allowed 4.7 ppg in the Reg. Season and 6.81 ppg for the year.

The offense averaged 41.8 for the Reg. Season and 38.88 for the entire year.

2021: The eventual State Champion only allowed 6.1 ppg in the Reg. season and 7.94 for the year.

The offense averaged 47.5 in the Reg. Season and 46.94 for the year.

Typically the most balanced teams win it all.

Recent 1 seeds:
2022 3A west 1 seed made it to 4th round, 4A East made it to States.

2021 3A west 1 seed made it to second round, 3A East Made it to 4th round.

Will a 1 seed finally get over the hump this year?

Most teams are heading into conference play. I feel the East is wide open. Who improves the most over the next 7 weeks is what’s most important. I dont think there is a clear cut favorite. CG was the favorite but they have not been dominant. New Bern hasn’t played anyone, Rolesville, Jordan, Millbrook, Leesville, Cleveland all look strong but beatable. Then there’s Pinecrest, Hoggard, Holly Springs.
If Jordan can somehow tighten up their defense they will be very tough to beat. Their O line will get even better and their run attack is impressive.
How good is New Bern? I don’t think most people expect them to be as good as last year but maybe they are.

With the regular season wrapping up, here’s some stats to look at from the previous two seasons results. I only went back two years because of the realignment.

2022: The eventual state champion only allowed 5.6 ppg in the Reg. Season and 12 ppg for the year.

The offense averaged 46.1 for the Reg. Season and 45.06 for the entire year.

2021: The eventual State Champion only allowed 9.9 ppg in the Reg. season and 12.38 for the year.

The offense averaged 34.9 in the Reg. Season and 35.94 for the year.

Typically the most balanced teams win it all.

Recent 1 seeds:
2022 4A west 1 seed made it to states, 4A East made it to 4th round.

2021 4A west 1 seed made it to West finals, 4A East made it to second round.

Will a 1 seed get over the hump this year?

I know they have a big bruiser back other than that I don’t know. The Pack is coming off to big wins after their low point losing to West Columbus.Senior night at Historic Legion Stadium. Go Pack!

1qtr KM 10-0 over Ashbrook

Tarboro will take the long Travel to face the 5-3 Red Barons. I don’t see this being much of a matchup but you never know. I’m more concerned about injuries. Mason was banged up last game w/ an ankle bruise so I don’t think he’ll play this week just to be safe. Playoffs are right around the corner!

Parkwood @ Forest Hills is still being played but game time has been pushed back to 8pm gates open at 7pm. Should be a wet one. 🤪

Game of the year in the MAC and WNC. Roberson has been impressive and look to be Reynolds biggest challenger for the foreseeable future with a very good JV team too.

If Guest is back and healthy I think Reynolds wins by 13. If he doesn't play its a one score game either way.

Rankings By Area Code
Mount Airy 336 area code & Over All Top 25
Robbinsville & Swain 828 area code

NC High School Football Polls & Rankings

Football Polls

www.highschoolot.com

Howdy 🤠

The Mean Green Fightin Machine makes the short trip to Coach Joe Popp Stadium next week. Let the banter begin lol

Been in Beaufort County all day, fishing and crabbing. Now it's time for some football! This should be a sound victories SWE, but they play on the field, not on paper. I'm hoping for a quick one so I can get home and turn some hot water on these crabs😋!

I don’t mind using computers in the process but not using the human element weakens the process in my opinion. Pinecrest has vaulted to the #1 seed in the East. Roseville has arguably played four team better than any team Pinecrest has played and after the WF game they may have played 5 teams better yet Roseville is at #2. Yea, Roseville lost to the #1 team in the state but anyone who knows anything about football would reward Rolesville with their schedule and play. I’m sure there are issues in other classes as well but we can do better than this.

This could be very good game as 2-6 ( 2-2) Hickory Ridge takes on 3-5 ( 2-2) Cox Mill. I think this game could be decided by a score. Any thoughts on this one