1.Mount Airy
The Granite Bears face their first real challenge in a long time tonight as they head to Pilot to face East Surry. East as of late has had MA’s # in regular season play but it looks like the tide is in the Bears court. However MA shouldn’t just expect to have a cakewalk here. Firstly they haven’t played a big game since week 5; they have just strolled thru NW play like it was nothing. That could be deadly for a team to face; ask the Ronda Cards or even the 2005 Elkin team. Good teams have always gotta be up especially against the rivals. I expect a well played game here which either squad could use as momentum heading into the playoffs.
2A.East Wilkes
The Ronda Cards quite simply fell on their faces last Friday night. They got off the gas and let momentum slip away vs. a very hard willed Elkin squad. The Ronda Cards easy season came back in their faces very badly. However that isn’t necessarily a bad thing though; a loss last week could make them a hungrier squad in the long run. Hopefully they realise that they gotta put teams away properly. Time will tell if they have or not as they host Wilkes Central tonight. Last year the Eagles humiliated East in a shutout to win the conference title. East has every incentive to play hard here; question is though can they overcome the bad memories and play focused?
2B.North Surry +2
Last Friday night was a night everyone in Toast has waited for for literally ages as the Greyhounds finally got some hardware after near misses in 2004, 2006, 2007, and last year. North won it with their typical hard fighting style after a real thriller of a game the first 3 quarters. North went off in the 4th and put it away to win their 7th conference title. This win’s the culmination of a perfect storm that started with North’s JV team three years ago and it made muah a happy fella. The Greyhounds are taking a much needed break this week before we see who we host next week.
2C.Wilkes Central +1
The Eagles’s wet dream happened last week as the Cards let the title slip away. Now East’s best hope is a shared title while Central hopes to win it out in order to get a better playoff seed. Central has had the bragging rights for over year after shutting them out last season and the edge but one can never count out a rival. Central has nothing to lose while East has everything to lose.
3.East Surry +1
The Pilot Cards have had a real topsy turvy season. Started off 1-2 then pulled things together with the West Stokes game on including a bare miss on upsetting a 4A school. What’s followed since is a solid roll thru the conference for the Cards. However to a point can be misleading due to the Northwest’s messy state. However the first two games of the streak shows what talent East has. However it’s gonna take a perfect game for the Cards to play with the Bears. Even if they do lose here they can find momentum for the playoffs coming out if it all if they do it right.
4.West Stokes
The Wildcats are coming off a tough loss last week to North Surry. West played North tough but their youth showed in the closing quarter as they missed a chance at the lead and ultimately fell off the map as a more experienced North team took off. However not all is totally lost for the Wildcats. Their win total has improved from last year and their offense is more explosive so there’s that. The Wildcats return home for senior night tonight vs Forbush as West is playing for a better playoff spot. ? is will the Wildcats go west or go in the East bracket for the first time in 9 years?
5.Starmount +2
Despite the loss last week the Rams are rolling pretty solidly at the right time. This week they have an interesting challenge in Ashe County. Ashe has always been the razzle dazzle squad of the conference while Starmount’s the no frills team; they run it right at you. Both teams have a lot on the line here; more Ashe than Starmount. Ashe badly needs a win as their future is in their hands; while Starmount can afford a loss but if they were to win it will put them at .500 at least for the year. I expect a thriller potentially here.
6.North Wilkes +1
The Vikings had no issues last week as they faced a hard fighting yet down in numbers Alleghany squad. This week will be more of a challenge as they take on West Wilkes. Last year NW upset West as they couldn’t shut Grimes and the passing game off in the final minutes to put a thorn in West’s decent season last year. This year North’s trying to win out to get a better playoff spot while West’s freefall has prevented them from making it; they are just playing for pride and revenge now.
7.Elkin +4
Fresh off the upset of the year the Elks have finally cracked the top 10. Elkin’s changed their persona here lately and it’s really paid off for them. They almost got North Wilkes, and have won 2 in a row including the upset last week. Elkin’s a win away from a potential home playoff game. They will get it more than likely as they head up the mountain to Sparta. Alleghany will have the size advantage but Elkin has the speed edge and momentum. I think that ultimately will carry the day despite the depth for both squads being close; Elkin isn’t the smallest squad here in terms of kids so that’s a unique situation for them. Alleghany’s out for the upset here so the Elks better be ready.
8.Ashe County
9.Forbush +4
The Falcons are fresh off a much needed shutout vs.a very young Walkertown squad in their senior night game. After a demoralizing loss to North Surry Forbush very much needed this shutout to find some solace in their situation. However their shot at a playoff spot is pretty much gone. They are just playing for pride now as they want to upset West Stokes. However as usual with the Falcons this year will they be consistent tonight or fall by the wayside again?
10.South Stokes
The Sauras have a very favorable home finale tonight as they host their northern rivals in a game they very much need in their column. This will help them on Saturday as they watch their fate In a bizzare twist of fate South’s now potentially a small 1A like North; completing the fall from grace as a 4A since the late 90’s.
11.Atkins +1
The Camels have quite the challenge on their plate this week as they make the short trip down the road to face a surging Carver squad. Carver won their 2nd game of the year last week and are at home for their senior night tonight as Atkins comes rolling in. Atkins is trying to win their 5th game of the season which will be their most in 10 years while Carver’s trying to win out. Atkins has the more explosive offense of the two plus all those seniors while Carver’s D isn’t that bad. Something's gotta give here in Winston.
12.Surry Central
13.West Wilkes
14.Carver +2
15.WS Prep +5
The Phoenix are out of the cellar as they have won their 2nd game of the season and have a great shot at a 3rd win tonight. However their playoff chances are very much shot due to the missed wins. However for a growing program a win here will definitely boost their spirits during this important off season coming up. WSP badly needs some momentum heading into that.
16.Alleghany
17.Bishop
18.Walkertown
Well this is gonna be the Wolfpack’s last chance at a win tonight. The Wolfpack has fallen off the face of the earth in just 1 year due to a mass exodus of kids and a hard schedule. Despite that they have played hard even if they are young and not very experienced. The question is can Pardue get 4 solid quarters out of his kids tonight to ofset a struggling Surry Central squad? Both teams have a ton on the line tonight; more Walkertown than Central.
19.North Stokes
Even if the Danbury Vikings lose tonight they can definitely say they got a huge win by being able to make it thru this season in tact with no forfeits. That's a victory all in itself and something Sessoms can be proud of.
The Granite Bears face their first real challenge in a long time tonight as they head to Pilot to face East Surry. East as of late has had MA’s # in regular season play but it looks like the tide is in the Bears court. However MA shouldn’t just expect to have a cakewalk here. Firstly they haven’t played a big game since week 5; they have just strolled thru NW play like it was nothing. That could be deadly for a team to face; ask the Ronda Cards or even the 2005 Elkin team. Good teams have always gotta be up especially against the rivals. I expect a well played game here which either squad could use as momentum heading into the playoffs.
2A.East Wilkes
The Ronda Cards quite simply fell on their faces last Friday night. They got off the gas and let momentum slip away vs. a very hard willed Elkin squad. The Ronda Cards easy season came back in their faces very badly. However that isn’t necessarily a bad thing though; a loss last week could make them a hungrier squad in the long run. Hopefully they realise that they gotta put teams away properly. Time will tell if they have or not as they host Wilkes Central tonight. Last year the Eagles humiliated East in a shutout to win the conference title. East has every incentive to play hard here; question is though can they overcome the bad memories and play focused?
2B.North Surry +2
Last Friday night was a night everyone in Toast has waited for for literally ages as the Greyhounds finally got some hardware after near misses in 2004, 2006, 2007, and last year. North won it with their typical hard fighting style after a real thriller of a game the first 3 quarters. North went off in the 4th and put it away to win their 7th conference title. This win’s the culmination of a perfect storm that started with North’s JV team three years ago and it made muah a happy fella. The Greyhounds are taking a much needed break this week before we see who we host next week.
2C.Wilkes Central +1
The Eagles’s wet dream happened last week as the Cards let the title slip away. Now East’s best hope is a shared title while Central hopes to win it out in order to get a better playoff seed. Central has had the bragging rights for over year after shutting them out last season and the edge but one can never count out a rival. Central has nothing to lose while East has everything to lose.
3.East Surry +1
The Pilot Cards have had a real topsy turvy season. Started off 1-2 then pulled things together with the West Stokes game on including a bare miss on upsetting a 4A school. What’s followed since is a solid roll thru the conference for the Cards. However to a point can be misleading due to the Northwest’s messy state. However the first two games of the streak shows what talent East has. However it’s gonna take a perfect game for the Cards to play with the Bears. Even if they do lose here they can find momentum for the playoffs coming out if it all if they do it right.
4.West Stokes
The Wildcats are coming off a tough loss last week to North Surry. West played North tough but their youth showed in the closing quarter as they missed a chance at the lead and ultimately fell off the map as a more experienced North team took off. However not all is totally lost for the Wildcats. Their win total has improved from last year and their offense is more explosive so there’s that. The Wildcats return home for senior night tonight vs Forbush as West is playing for a better playoff spot. ? is will the Wildcats go west or go in the East bracket for the first time in 9 years?
5.Starmount +2
Despite the loss last week the Rams are rolling pretty solidly at the right time. This week they have an interesting challenge in Ashe County. Ashe has always been the razzle dazzle squad of the conference while Starmount’s the no frills team; they run it right at you. Both teams have a lot on the line here; more Ashe than Starmount. Ashe badly needs a win as their future is in their hands; while Starmount can afford a loss but if they were to win it will put them at .500 at least for the year. I expect a thriller potentially here.
6.North Wilkes +1
The Vikings had no issues last week as they faced a hard fighting yet down in numbers Alleghany squad. This week will be more of a challenge as they take on West Wilkes. Last year NW upset West as they couldn’t shut Grimes and the passing game off in the final minutes to put a thorn in West’s decent season last year. This year North’s trying to win out to get a better playoff spot while West’s freefall has prevented them from making it; they are just playing for pride and revenge now.
7.Elkin +4
Fresh off the upset of the year the Elks have finally cracked the top 10. Elkin’s changed their persona here lately and it’s really paid off for them. They almost got North Wilkes, and have won 2 in a row including the upset last week. Elkin’s a win away from a potential home playoff game. They will get it more than likely as they head up the mountain to Sparta. Alleghany will have the size advantage but Elkin has the speed edge and momentum. I think that ultimately will carry the day despite the depth for both squads being close; Elkin isn’t the smallest squad here in terms of kids so that’s a unique situation for them. Alleghany’s out for the upset here so the Elks better be ready.
8.Ashe County
9.Forbush +4
The Falcons are fresh off a much needed shutout vs.a very young Walkertown squad in their senior night game. After a demoralizing loss to North Surry Forbush very much needed this shutout to find some solace in their situation. However their shot at a playoff spot is pretty much gone. They are just playing for pride now as they want to upset West Stokes. However as usual with the Falcons this year will they be consistent tonight or fall by the wayside again?
10.South Stokes
The Sauras have a very favorable home finale tonight as they host their northern rivals in a game they very much need in their column. This will help them on Saturday as they watch their fate In a bizzare twist of fate South’s now potentially a small 1A like North; completing the fall from grace as a 4A since the late 90’s.
11.Atkins +1
The Camels have quite the challenge on their plate this week as they make the short trip down the road to face a surging Carver squad. Carver won their 2nd game of the year last week and are at home for their senior night tonight as Atkins comes rolling in. Atkins is trying to win their 5th game of the season which will be their most in 10 years while Carver’s trying to win out. Atkins has the more explosive offense of the two plus all those seniors while Carver’s D isn’t that bad. Something's gotta give here in Winston.
12.Surry Central
13.West Wilkes
14.Carver +2
15.WS Prep +5
The Phoenix are out of the cellar as they have won their 2nd game of the season and have a great shot at a 3rd win tonight. However their playoff chances are very much shot due to the missed wins. However for a growing program a win here will definitely boost their spirits during this important off season coming up. WSP badly needs some momentum heading into that.
16.Alleghany
17.Bishop
18.Walkertown
Well this is gonna be the Wolfpack’s last chance at a win tonight. The Wolfpack has fallen off the face of the earth in just 1 year due to a mass exodus of kids and a hard schedule. Despite that they have played hard even if they are young and not very experienced. The question is can Pardue get 4 solid quarters out of his kids tonight to ofset a struggling Surry Central squad? Both teams have a ton on the line tonight; more Walkertown than Central.
19.North Stokes
Even if the Danbury Vikings lose tonight they can definitely say they got a huge win by being able to make it thru this season in tact with no forfeits. That's a victory all in itself and something Sessoms can be proud of.
