Conference/Record(last season): Christian CISAA: 7-4(3-0)
Catholic So. Meck 8 15-0(7-0)
Last Week: First game for both teams
Series Began: 1993
Series Record: Catholic leads 7-2
Last Catholic Win: 2015, 5-0
Last Christian Win: 1999, 13-12
Largest Catholic Win: 2001, 30-6
Largest Christian Win: 1994, 46-14
Well it is finally here! We are less than a week from the start of the NC HS Football season! The "Holy War" is back on for a second straight season between the Charlotte Catholic Cougars and the Charlotte Christian Knights. Last season a baseball game broke out at Charlotte Christian as Catholic downed the Knights 5-0 behind a suffocating defense.
This season however may be different. The venue has changed to historic Memorial Stadium as the Cougars and Knights partake in the Ortho Carolina kickoff classic. The Cougars are coming off a 15-0 perfect season which saw them capture the 4A crown. The Knights last season went 7-4 their most losses in a single season since 2011.
The Cougars bring back 13 starters from last seasons team, but lost 9 of their 10 all conference players to graduation. The offense will be run by senior QB Brady Berger a backup last year. Angel Morrero and Jack Brigham return in the backfield and look for sophomore Michael Neel to possibly get playing time as well.
John Newman is back at WR and Jimmy Abate a star on last seasons 4A State Champion basketball team also went out for football this year and will be at TE/WR with Newman. The offensive line also returns several starters including G Nick Derrico who will be a leader upfront.
Defense for the Cougars will be the question mark, as they replace 3 linebackers and two very good defensive lineman. Reid Brandt and Ari Rodriguez(just a sophomore) return to anchor the DL. The question marks will be in the LB core and I have not seen enough of the Cougars to say how it'll go. The secondary will also be an area to watch, James Hurney is the biggest returning starter in the defensive backfield and will be key for the Cougars down the stretch especially vs teams like South Meck and Ardrey Kell.
I got a chance to see Christian last night at the Carolina Preps Jamboree, they have a QB I believe who is a sophmore who can sling it and a fundamentally sound offensive line. Catholic will need to shut down the running game led by Justus Woods who is a top 2018 player in NC. Also controlling the pass will be a major key. Historically before the season people have wondered about the Catholic pass defense vs a team with athletes, it will be interesting to watch how the Cougars deal with Christian's ability to throw the ball and what they do in the front 7 to stop it by getting pressure.
All in all I expect a pretty close game for the night cap of the triple header at Memorial. I think Catholic takes it, maybe a FG at the end deciding it.
Catholic So. Meck 8 15-0(7-0)
Last Week: First game for both teams
Series Began: 1993
Series Record: Catholic leads 7-2
Last Catholic Win: 2015, 5-0
Last Christian Win: 1999, 13-12
Largest Catholic Win: 2001, 30-6
Largest Christian Win: 1994, 46-14
Well it is finally here! We are less than a week from the start of the NC HS Football season! The "Holy War" is back on for a second straight season between the Charlotte Catholic Cougars and the Charlotte Christian Knights. Last season a baseball game broke out at Charlotte Christian as Catholic downed the Knights 5-0 behind a suffocating defense.
This season however may be different. The venue has changed to historic Memorial Stadium as the Cougars and Knights partake in the Ortho Carolina kickoff classic. The Cougars are coming off a 15-0 perfect season which saw them capture the 4A crown. The Knights last season went 7-4 their most losses in a single season since 2011.
The Cougars bring back 13 starters from last seasons team, but lost 9 of their 10 all conference players to graduation. The offense will be run by senior QB Brady Berger a backup last year. Angel Morrero and Jack Brigham return in the backfield and look for sophomore Michael Neel to possibly get playing time as well.
John Newman is back at WR and Jimmy Abate a star on last seasons 4A State Champion basketball team also went out for football this year and will be at TE/WR with Newman. The offensive line also returns several starters including G Nick Derrico who will be a leader upfront.
Defense for the Cougars will be the question mark, as they replace 3 linebackers and two very good defensive lineman. Reid Brandt and Ari Rodriguez(just a sophomore) return to anchor the DL. The question marks will be in the LB core and I have not seen enough of the Cougars to say how it'll go. The secondary will also be an area to watch, James Hurney is the biggest returning starter in the defensive backfield and will be key for the Cougars down the stretch especially vs teams like South Meck and Ardrey Kell.
I got a chance to see Christian last night at the Carolina Preps Jamboree, they have a QB I believe who is a sophmore who can sling it and a fundamentally sound offensive line. Catholic will need to shut down the running game led by Justus Woods who is a top 2018 player in NC. Also controlling the pass will be a major key. Historically before the season people have wondered about the Catholic pass defense vs a team with athletes, it will be interesting to watch how the Cougars deal with Christian's ability to throw the ball and what they do in the front 7 to stop it by getting pressure.
All in all I expect a pretty close game for the night cap of the triple header at Memorial. I think Catholic takes it, maybe a FG at the end deciding it.
