East Wilkes at MA
The Bears got their first true test in a long time last week and it was honestly closer than I expected, however having success for the longest time proves to be a major help in games like this. Starmount overcome their not so hot schedule to play to the occasion, but the Bears were more poised when it mattered. MA however cant afford to rest on their laurels they got to stay up the rest of the conference slate. Staying motivated and prepping for November has to be key despite opponent quality. This week they have another undefeated team in East Wilkes, who haven’t played in a while due to the storm. East is a very similar team in terms of the offense they run and how hard they play, but MA is just on another world from the Cards in terms of speed and experience. EW struggled bad vs WC and their speed weeks ago and it’ll happen again here, but unlike WC, MA is a competent team and will put the game away without a comeback. I do expect East to possibly be stubborn for a bit though. That’s all the better for the Bears, they need that to stay humble.
East Surry at Wilkes Central
Been a long two weeks for both of these teams. East hasn’t played since winning with ease vs South Stokes, their game with West Wilkes got delayed so no idea yet when that’s gonna be made up, they have serious rust they gonna have to work out. With the offense they run they can’t afford to have that. WC meanwhile lost by literally the same score 2 years in a row to NS in the conference opener, in a homecoming game they never had a chance in due to their defensive performance.
I’ll give WC a lot of credit they have a very good offensive backfield and play hard (granted they are in the wrong offense, they’d be a better spread team imo,) and to make it worse they are very small and young, especially on the defense. Their defense is honestly the smallest I’ve ever seen on a varsity team, they are small especially in the secondary and middle of the field. East is much bigger on the line and I think that will make the difference like it did in our game. . However last year the game was surprisingly close for quite a while, and it took East a while to wake up to put it away. I don’t know if it was due to East not playing hot or Cannon getting the Eagles fired up mentally but it was a nice eye opener. This time East has to overcome that. WC meanwhile has a quick turnaround..
West Wilkes at Surry Central
Time for the most important Foothills conference game of the week, these two are both undefeated and have serious momentum right now. However a loss could change everything for one of these teams as things will only get harder the next few weeks. West won a respectable but not sexy win over the Bush despite their weight advantage, West just couldn’t score enough points to take the pressure off, and that is looking like it could be their issue this year. SC meanwhile won with ease over North Wilkes on their homecoming, SC’s skill speed proved too much for the Vikings to handle. However their line didn’t play that great as they gave up a punt badly to NW which they blocked for a score. Their defense gave up 13 to an offense that hadn’t scored in 3 games at that point, not a good look for them. This game will prove so much for both teams.
This one is ultimately too hard for me to decide on. In some ways both teams have done well, in others I haven’t been impressed. West’s line imo is much better than Central’s but Central’s skill players are much better than West’s. It evens out too much for me to chose. Probably will be another down to the final possession battle these two love to have.
Forbush at Elkin
Now for the most interesting matchup this week as the Bush heads to Elkin in a late season non conference game badly needing some momentum after an awful season so far. A lucky win vs a awful McMichael win in week 2 has been the one bit of solace they’ve had all year long. Last week they were manhandled by NS in a way I haven’t seen in ages, at least not since when I played. We physically manhandled them in the 2nd half and along with injuries they were struggling by the end. Their best back #2 got hurt in a pancake gone wrong on defense (one of their DE’s got pancaked by us, and #2 was a collateral damage victim in a human pretzel.) It was ugly and I hope he’s okay. Their QB can chunk it though and that gives them an edge as Elkin struggles vs the pass. Forbush meanwhile this year has one of the worst run defenses I’ve seen this year. It evens out honestly to a point.
Last year these two played a thriller at the Bush. Elkin had the lead most of the night and led 14-7 going into the 4th, but they faded away late due to Bush’s speed, Taylor had a great night and helped them to put it away. However he isn’t there anymore and that’s a major negator for their progress moving forward on offense, they don’t have the team speed to have a track meet vs anyone. Elkin does have the speed and are older than the Bush especially on the line.
I think this will be a close affair, both teams have a lot to gain here. Elkin just needs the win more than the Bush. Those seniors remember the choke last year and I’m sure that haunted them for a year. A win here will help boost their playoff chances and seeding. Bush is honestly right on the edge of not making it, but I don’t see it happening. I’d love to see Elkin win here. So why not? I’ll pick them.
North Stokes at Starmount
Not much to say here. Starmount’s gonna be fired up and upset they let one slide, North Stokes is down after letting a winnable game vs Elkin slide, it was legitly tied at 0-0 until the late 3rd quarter. Starmount will win by whatever they like here. I was going to bold North Stokes, but I can't be THAT cruel.
South Stokes at Alleghany
Needless to say the Sauras truly wet the bed vs Elkin, I expected a much better outing from them, but it looked like the Elks experience and size just wore them out. South’s biggest issue since Diamont’s departure has been the lack of physicality on the line and until they get a new mindset there (either new line coach or a new weight program,) it’s not going to matter as they will struggle to compete. They wasted that basketball athlete class with terrible lineplay last year, and this year they are just lifeless and it’s hurting them beyond repair. This week it won’t get any easier as they head up the mountain to play I’m sure a beyond ready to hit Alleghany team who hasn’t played since that Starmount game. The North Duplin game got canceled sadly which is a bummer, I was excited to see it and I think it could have been a good one, but I get the cancellation.
I don’t expect this one to be close, Alleghany’s line is just so much better than South’s. Only way I see it being close is if South’s RB and backs get the breaks enough due to their speed. But even then, not having a line just kills you. This will be the start of a good period for the Trojans, they can win the next 3 and have momentum before their game with East Wilkes.
