TOP TIER
St. Pauls
Returning a lot from a talented team that finished 4th and 6-3 in the conference. They will battle Whiteville and East Bladen for the top spot. If they can get decent QB play, they will stand atop the conference
Whiteville
They have the athletes year in and out to challenge for the top spot of the conference. They return almost all the scoring from last year. They underachieved a little last year finishing 3rd at 7-2. If they get the buy-in Price and company can raise the conference trophy this year.
East Bladen
They return a lot from last year's 9-3 team. People overlooked them last year but Priest and company showed everyone they are always in the race with a 2nd place finish at 8-1.
SECOND TIER
South Columbus
Always well-coached but losing the O-Line and Bellamy will drop them down a little. You better not look over them because their season will go as their young guys. If they can coach them up they will be fine.
Red Springs
Great athletes a good coach but this team will go as far as McKeithan can take them. If he has a great season they will be ok.
Fairmont
Athletes on top of athletes. But the loss of Walters and Morris will be too much to overcome.
LOWER TIER
South Robeson
New coach same prediction. They have athletes and have the ability to separate themselves from the other 1A teams. They are setup to fail by having to play in a split conference (especially an uneven split conference). Having to play 7 2A teams and only 2 1A teams in the conference makes it an uphill climb for the 1A schools.
East Columbus
They surprised the 1A teams last year and took the top spot of the 1A teams. Once again a lack of numbers will hinder the gators.
West Bladen
New coach and an outstanding athlete at QB will make them a little better but they will still struggle. Coach Sherman has hit the ground running and has increased the participation but they are inexperienced. They will have to work hard to get out of the bottom tier but the future can be bright if he gets everyone on board.
West Columbus
Basketball and baseball athletes either do not play or do not dedicate themselves to football. This makes an uphill battle almost impossible.
Predicted Conference Standings
Conference Overall
TEAM W - L -- W - L
St. Pauls 9 - 0 -- 11 - 0
Whiteville 8 - 1 -- 10 - 1
East Bladen 7 - 2 -- 7 - 4
S. Columbus 6 - 3 -- 7 - 4
Fairmont 5 - 4 -- 6 - 5
Red Springs 4 - 5 -- 5 - 6
West Bladen 3 - 6 -- 4 - 7
S. Robeson 2 - 7 -- 2 - 9
E. Columbus 1 - 8 -- 1 - 10
W. Columbus 0 - 9 -- 1 - 10
St. Pauls
Returning a lot from a talented team that finished 4th and 6-3 in the conference. They will battle Whiteville and East Bladen for the top spot. If they can get decent QB play, they will stand atop the conference
Whiteville
They have the athletes year in and out to challenge for the top spot of the conference. They return almost all the scoring from last year. They underachieved a little last year finishing 3rd at 7-2. If they get the buy-in Price and company can raise the conference trophy this year.
East Bladen
They return a lot from last year's 9-3 team. People overlooked them last year but Priest and company showed everyone they are always in the race with a 2nd place finish at 8-1.
SECOND TIER
South Columbus
Always well-coached but losing the O-Line and Bellamy will drop them down a little. You better not look over them because their season will go as their young guys. If they can coach them up they will be fine.
Red Springs
Great athletes a good coach but this team will go as far as McKeithan can take them. If he has a great season they will be ok.
Fairmont
Athletes on top of athletes. But the loss of Walters and Morris will be too much to overcome.
LOWER TIER
South Robeson
New coach same prediction. They have athletes and have the ability to separate themselves from the other 1A teams. They are setup to fail by having to play in a split conference (especially an uneven split conference). Having to play 7 2A teams and only 2 1A teams in the conference makes it an uphill climb for the 1A schools.
East Columbus
They surprised the 1A teams last year and took the top spot of the 1A teams. Once again a lack of numbers will hinder the gators.
West Bladen
New coach and an outstanding athlete at QB will make them a little better but they will still struggle. Coach Sherman has hit the ground running and has increased the participation but they are inexperienced. They will have to work hard to get out of the bottom tier but the future can be bright if he gets everyone on board.
West Columbus
Basketball and baseball athletes either do not play or do not dedicate themselves to football. This makes an uphill battle almost impossible.
Predicted Conference Standings
Conference Overall
TEAM W - L -- W - L
St. Pauls 9 - 0 -- 11 - 0
Whiteville 8 - 1 -- 10 - 1
East Bladen 7 - 2 -- 7 - 4
S. Columbus 6 - 3 -- 7 - 4
Fairmont 5 - 4 -- 6 - 5
Red Springs 4 - 5 -- 5 - 6
West Bladen 3 - 6 -- 4 - 7
S. Robeson 2 - 7 -- 2 - 9
E. Columbus 1 - 8 -- 1 - 10
W. Columbus 0 - 9 -- 1 - 10
