West Caldwell at
West Lincoln: If I could repeat something said last year, to anyone who is a West Caldwell Warrior, player of devoted fan, It is a painful experience to lose, and I couldn't imagine anyone getting used to it. So, for what little it's worth, you have my respect and congratulations for sticking with your team. Being loyal is a special characteristic. WL by 35.
Newton-Conover at
Bandys: Both, I believe are good teams. Feel like the Trojans might have a little better running game to go along with the pass. Bandys by 6.
East Burke at
Lincolnton: The Cavaliers almost got us, this past season. They had us down in the first quarter 10-0, and led 10-7 at the half. At last years game in Icard while I was talking with Burkeforreal, Lincolnton scored pretty late, think 4 minutes left, to take a 14-10 lead . At that point I told him I was concerned we would let EB come right back and score, which they did, and had the lead until the 2 minute mark when we were able to score on a pass, then intercept them to win. They held us to 95 yards rushing. Hope we can do better. I feel like our passing game and running game have improved, some, from a year ago, and if we don't get too down in the score I feel like we can win. Lincolnton by 10.
Maiden at
Bunker Hill: This is Flyrod's game of the week, and rightfully so. I'd think the Bears might tell themselves, "We'll take each game separately, and a week at a time, and handle each team as we get to them", so far, they have; but still, In this conference the Blue Devils wear a target and it would be special for any of us to beat them... Maiden, reminds me of the Green Bay Packers from the middle 1960's, they seem to find a way to win, but this time it's really going to be hard. BH has a solid running and passing game with the people on the line to take care of business. I believe the Devils will be ready as will the Bears. The crowd might exceed the BH-West Lincoln game and should be a great atmosphere. With all things considered, I'll have to pick the Bears by 6... Just out of curiosity, should Maiden win, you reckon AMD will post a message asking "Who runs this valley"? Frankly, I don't think he could resist it, and if the Devils manage to pull it off, He's earned it.
Postscript: Favored teams are in bold.
Postscript: In the Maiden-Bunker Hill prediction, I'd mentioned that Maiden reminded me of the Green Bay Packers of the mid-1960's in finding a way to win. The game I had in mind was the Packers game against the Dallas Cowboys which was played on Sunday December 31st, 1967 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It was informally called the Ice Bowl. The Temperature range during the game was between -12 and -14 degrees, with a with a wind chill of -30 because of high winds. It was and still is the coldest NFL game on record.
with 16 seconds remaining from inside the one yard line, no time outs, and the Cowboys leading 17-14, quarterback Bart Starr kept the ball going straight ahead behind Guard, Jerry Kramer and Center, Ken Bowman who wedge blocked Dallas defensive tackle Jethro Pugh (Pugh was from Windsor, NC in Bertie County, and played college ball at Elizabeth City State) to enable Starr to fall over the goal line for the score. This gave Green Bay the NFL Championship who would go on to defeat the AFL Champs Oakland Raiders.
*In spite of the very cold weather, attendance was over 50,000. One fan died from exposure, and several players, including Starr, suffered frost bite. Remember watching it on Channel 3 Charlotte (CBS), A long time ago.
