Mount Airy at East Surry
Ahh yes this annual matchup. MA’s been waiting for years for this game as it’s their chance to air their grievances vs a young and down and out East team who had literally their worst performance in years up last week up on the mountain vs Robbinsville. Their defense struggled to control the run as Rville ran for nearly 350 and passed only when they needed to and that was for over 100. East meanwhile was lucky to get to 200 yards which is an unheard of offensive total for the Cards as of late. MA meanwhile could do no wrong last week as they exploited a couple of early errors by my Hounds to that result. East cannot do that this week if they want to stand a chance, East’s best hope for a close matchup is that the first offensive drive results in points and puts MA on the fence early, but even then I doubt it will do no good.
MA’s powder keg of a backfield will be too much for the Cards to handle. If they couldn’t stop the mountain version of a power run offense then they can’t stop this backfield for sure.
East Wilkes at Surry Central
Last week the Ronda Cards overperformed quite a bit, while the Golden Eagles were the opposite. The Cards came in with a very smart gameplan and exploited West Wilkes who were the heavy favorite and showed that they can be played with at a certain way to be knocked off. SC meanwhile had a hard time stopping Alleghany’s ball control last week minus a few big throws here and there on offense there was never much doubt as to who was going out on top in that one, I was very surprised. SC’s defense has got to have a better performance to hang in the game tonight, I just don’t see it.
Elkin at West Wilkes
Last week the Blackhawks showed they were truly mortal as EW exploited them with a solid game plan, and played poised enough on defense to shut WW’s offense down on 2 big drives. As I’ve said before that game was one that needed to be well played for West in terms of momentum and they missed the boat on that. It shows two things; either they are still a work in progress or they just aren’t there yet. This week will show a ton for both teams. Elkin had meanwhile a convincing yet not sexy win over North Wilkes last week, they came out on the first drive and made NW’s line look quite inept and blocked a punt. However neither team really had a good offensive night as both struggled to crack 200 yards, Elkin was just more opportunistic.
This week Elk’s travel to the creek which will probably be another wacky game between these two. If it’s any as crazy as the JV game last night (Elkin won with a walkaway FG,) then this one could be a last minute affair. Both teams here honestly have a lot to prove still. Elkin’s offense needs to show it’s more capable of having long term drives with that option, while West needs to show they are a team capable of truly contending, they have the most to prove as they gotta get out of the losing season streak that’s haunted them for 7 years. Elkin meanwhile is at 3 years.
I just think West’s line on both sides is way better, however it will be a tough 3 week ahead for them. They face Ashe next week who’s always well coached, and then have West Iredell who’s on the rise and has solid #’s. If West don’t show up they could easily be 1-3 or 0-4 after that.
Forbush at McMichael
Last week the Falcons were hunted down quite early by the Winston Vikings as Forbush absolutely struggled with NF’s speed and let the Vikes run it all over them. Forbush’s tackling was very suspect and they had a nightmare in open field. Their offense meanwhile struggled to find any consistency at all. Not the debut they were needing but a great one for North Forsyth. This week it doesn’t get any easier as they hit the road to Mayodan to play a very well coached and on the rise McMichael team, an old rival they used to play 20 years back. Last week they played Rockingham County quite well and made it a respectable outing. This is what they would consider a winnable game, so Forbush better come with their wheaties ate.
For the Bush to have a chance they gotta get over the slopinesss on defense and play some great team ball on both sides. Offense especially has to find some consistency in a hurry. I just don’t see it. The first half of the season is honestly a tough one for the Falcons, they have tough games every week ahead for a while.
North Iredell at Starmount
Last week the Rams showed up ready to play and had a 75% dominating effort vs Trinity. However they slacked up when they were ahead big and let the Bulldogs comeback to make it a way more respectable outing. However Starmount’s offense had it’s best outing in truly ages as Trinity was humiliated on defense so it evens out for both teams. This week the Rams host a old time foe in North Iredell as they have a big dedication night ahead of them. North Iredell’s a 3A squad that wishes they were a 2A, this is their best time to win ball games as they are in a super hard conference. They love to run the ball more than pass it. This will be a great test to Starmount’s run defense as NI will consistently test it.
However when push comes to shove I don’t see the Raiders stopping the Rams offense, it’s too wide open for them to handle.
Randleman at West Stokes
A rare matchup this week with 2 winners here! West had a triumphant return for UpChurch last week as they scored plenty in each quarter vs South Stokes, however they didn’t save the true fireworks until the end. West needs 2 solid halves this week to hang in the game with the Tigers. Randleman meanwhile came in and really outplayed a very good Thomasville team which surprised a lot of folks, Tville is expected to be a solid 1A west team this year. Randleman’s been due for a return to the top after a couple of down years and this is their time to do it, West meanwhile is out to prove theirselves legit. Both teams have a lot to play for here and can go either way.
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