Clinton and Shelby

[bolt903]

Now that I've seen both State Championship participants play in person time to do a comparison of the two!
Clinton
• Lost a lot in the 2015 senior class that many thought would be too much to replace. But with the way the Offensive line and defensive line are holding up so far I believe they will be just fine this season.
•Not much size but Clinton has a Very fast team this year as some of you guys have stated before! But with 2,000 yard rusher Skinner back along with a supporting cast in Faison (when he comes back from injury), Kris Williams, Dre Oates, Pope #15, along with Tyion Wright, Clinton can be very dangerous this year.
•Defense for Clinton this year will still be very good but I believe last years defense was better. Lost a lot of size on the D Line and with #3 Dessus likely done for the year the Secondary looks really thin back there but still believe they will be just fine until they run into a team with a dangerous air attack! In the end I still believe that the Dark Horses will be too much for any team in the east and will return to the State title game.

Shelby
Saw this years Golden Lion team play for the first time last night at RS Central.
• From what I've heard/read/observed Shelby has had a REALLY tough non conference schedule this year and went 3-0 against top 10 3A schools.
• Very explosive offense led by #11 Lee. A pass heavy team this year for Shelby which I would never in my wildest dream thought was possible! Dynamic WR's in Borders and Wright are hard to cover for any defensive secondary. The O Line for Shelby is looking really sharp right now. They are returning 4 out of 5 starters from last years team and really look good as a unit right now
• Defense for Shelby this year still remains a work in progress I would say. Very valneurble on the right side of that D Line but with returning tackle leader LB Dax Hollifield there I believe this defensive unit will come together and be ready to defend the back to back state titles.

In the end if these two powerhouses meet again in Raleigh for the State Championship it will be a much better game I believe but I still give Shelby the edge in a way to early prediction just because the Golden Lions air game is way to tough to stop!
Final Score
Shelby - 38
Clinton - 23

 

[SHS LION]

Maybe a little early.

 

[Wizard of the East]

Good assessment this early in the season keeping in mind Clinton has only played 2 games this far . I do agree there's a high probability Shelby and Clinton will meet again for the state championship and I believe it will be a much better game. The DarkHorses haven't had much luck at The Grove going 0-3 thus far. They're 5-1 at Kenan Stadium. They've never played at CF Stadium and since it's only a hour away I'd look forward to meeting there

 

[Darkhorse#34]

A lil too early to be talking about this still Alot of football to be played

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Shelby is definitely my pick to win it all but not sure they have played 3 top 10 3a schools thus far in non conference....

 

[Godevilsgo]

Shelby has played the two teams with the best two running backs in the state. Emmons who will go to Alabama and Dowdle who is being recruited by Notre Dame. Two of the schools they have played will win their conference and the third will battle Asheville for that top spot.

 

[72special]

Yeah and some people think Shelby playin soft. That (non-conference schedule) is definitely not playin soft. And if you want to bring up the 80's that's fine but get your a$$ out of the 80's.

 

[Chopper747]

If Shelby goes 2AA this is all moot

on side note 2AA Monroe upset top 3A Weddington. I think 2A/2AA West have some beasts this year in East Lincoln, Monroe, and Shelby. Andrews maybe....

 

[Inyourdome24-7]

Who in 2A East can challenge Clinton?

 

[bolt903]

Hopefully Shelby will not go 2AA this year! And Inyourdome24-7 nobody the 2A east playoffs will just be too weak this year I believe

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

Game of the week. Maybe

 

['98 State Champion]

I'll be honest.....there's not a 2A school in the state that scares me. East Lincoln better show out tonight at Forestview. They've only scored 7 points on them. ELs defense scored the other 7. Forestview was ZERO challenge for the Golden Lions at the jamboree. I believe Neal actually had negative rushing yards through a half of football.

That was an awesome win for Monroe on Friday. Shows that classifications really don't matter all that much when you have a great team. I believe Weddington was ranked 3rd in the state over all classifications.

Our defense will continue to gel. Our offense has too many weapons. Through the first 4 games, even when down, I was never worried. Our offense can score in an instant. If someone hangs 40 on our defense then we'll hang 50 on them. I can't see anyone outscoring us. It's great to be a Golden Lion!

 

[Chopper747]

I'll be honest.....there's not a 2A school in the state that scares me. East Lincoln better show out tonight at Forestview. They've only scored 7 points on them. ELs defense scored the other 7. Forestview was ZERO challenge for the Golden Lions at the jamboree. I believe Neal actually had negative rushing yards through a half of football.

That was an awesome win for Monroe on Friday. Shows that classifications really don't matter all that much when you have a great team. I believe Weddington was ranked 3rd in the state over all classifications.

Our defense will continue to gel. Our offense has too many weapons. Through the first 4 games, even when down, I was never worried. Our offense can score in an instant. If someone hangs 40 on our defense then we'll hang 50 on them. I can't see anyone outscoring us. It's great to be a Golden Lion!

You still cant compare the whole field. Every so often the top 1 or 2 lower tier teams might be exceptional, but the class as a whole.

 

[bolt903]

Ready to see where Shelby will be placed this year come playoff time! Hate to see them go 2AA! Cause I do not know if their is another 2A team not the 2AA teams (East Lincoln, Monroe, and Andrews maybe) just 2A that can compete with Clinton

 

[tarheel fan1]

Don't forget Carver guys

 

[Darkhorse#34]

Like I said before Wayyyyyyy to early in the season to be having this convo but I'll admit very impress with what I hear about Shelby that's a tough non conf schedule they are definitely the favorites to three peat...but awhile lot of football left to play

 

[Shelby Lion]

Good lord why is this even being discussed .... Let a couple injuries hit anyone of the aforementioned teams and it will be early basketball practice

 

[Griddie]

Glad to see Dowdle getting some recognition. I agree hes the 2nd best back in the state.

 

[Champ_24]

I hope Monroe and HP Andrews goes 2a and east

 

[HitmanT]

This is the kind of thread where both teams may not be there in the end. I hope Shelby makes it but I remember 95 and the girl kicker.

 

[Chopper747]

I hope Monroe and HP Andrews goes 2a and east

lol

 

[PhantomEagle]

What a post that bolt 903 has started. If I memory serves me correct "bolt" is probably is originally from down from the Tabor City or Columbus Co. way. Anyway in my opinion its way to early to talk about who will actually make to the State Finals, a lot football left to play throughout the whole state before we make any clear cut match ups for that game. Now "bolt" stated there wasn't in his opinion that there wasn't 2-A team in the East that could compete with Clinton, that remains to be seen. They may well be tested big time in three weeks and there toughest competition may well come from only the Four County Conference teams until playoff time. They may have their hands full this Friday Night with 4-A Hoggard. Just saying "bolt" look at the other teams in the East. I'm not worried about those western teams , they got their dog fight going on out there.