With 4 of the 6 Western 1A Conferences mostly finished with their non-conference schedule, let's take a look around the Western !A to see where teams stand before conference play begins later this week....
NWC(6)
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In spite of Coaching changes at both Mount Airy and East Surry, both teams are poised for another run at the NWC title, and possible long playoff runs....Mount Airy is averaging nearly 37ppg, but is allowing nearly 20ppg which is about a TD more than last year's team allowed against the same 5 non-conference opponents...The Granite Bears have one final non-conference game before NWC play begins as they host winless(0-4) 2A Surry Central who has had two weeks to prepare for this week's game...Meanwhile, East Surry and Head Coach Trent Lowman(4-1) suffered their first loss(26-19) last wednesday in Pilot Mt to 2A West Stokes(4-1) who suffered their only loss(34-28) to Mt. Airy in King....The Cardinals next host 4A Ragsdale(3-2) who they nearly stunned(34-33) last year...Bishop McGuinness(3-2) is on a 3 game winning-streak, having already beaten 2A foes West Wilkes and Atkins on the road...The Villians will be heavy favorites this friday against Christ the King before hosting East Surry in the NWC opener on Oct 5th....The Villians will also host Mount Airy at the end of October...W-S Prep(2-2) was involved in two shutouts in their last two road games...They lost(49-0) to 4A R.J.Reynolds(3-2) before posting their own shutout(48-0) at Christ the KIng(0-5) which was the Phoenix first shutout in several years...This week, they step up in competition as 4A S. Mecklenburg(0-4) comes to town..The Phoenix will travel to South Stokes(0-5) for the NWC opener....The Sauras have scored only 15pts in their last 3 losses, including last wednesday's 30-7 loss at Elkin...They have one final non-conference game at home against 2A Barlett Yancey before they meet the Phoenix...North Stokes(0-5) has been shutout in their last 4 games as the Vikings and Head Coach Frank Sessoms try to rebuild a football program that is mired in a 28 game losing-streak that includes 5 forfeits from the 2016 season when the football program was in danger of folding altogether....To borrow a phrase from the Carolina Panthers, "Keep Pounding" Vikings!
1A/2A WHC(3)
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Once again, it appears that the 2018 WHC title will be settled between 1A Mitchell County(4-1) and 2A Mountain Heritage(3-1) with both schools having lost to 3A Erwin...The two WHC neighbors meet in Bakersville on Oct 5th, and each school will have two weeks to prepare for their WHC showdown...Before then, both teams will be at home this week as Mitchell faces 2A R-S Central, while 2A Mt. Heritage will have a tough matchup in Burnsville against 2A Hendersonville..Meanwhile, Polk County(1-3) has lost 3 straight after the season-opening win(31-28) at 2A chase, and their next 2 home matchups with 2A foes Pisgah(4-1) and East Rutherford(5-0) won't be easy...The Wolverines will also open WHC play at home against 2A Owen(1-3) on Oct 5th...Avery County(1-4) broke into the win column last wednesday with a win in Newland over 2A Draughn(32-28)...The Vikings are OPEN this week before their final non-conference tuneup at 2A chase on Sept 28th...The Vikings will host 2A Madison County(1-3) in the WHC opener on Oct 5th....
1A/2A MVC(4)
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Elkin(3-1) is off to a great start with their only loss(42-13) at unbeaten Mount Airy...MVC play begins this week with a "Battle for the Bridge" rivalry game with nearby 1A MVC foe Starmount in Elkin....The Rams(0-4) were impressive in their season-opening loss(45-38) to Mount Airy, but they were manhandled by both East Surry and West Stokes before suffering a gut-punch loss(28-18) to rival 2A Forbush(1-4)....The Rams have had two weeks to prepare for their MVC opener at Elkin this coming friday....Meanwhile, East Wilkes(3-1) has won 3 straight since suffering that 31-0 shutout in Ronda to East Surry to open the season, and the Cardinals will have had two weeks to prepare for this week's MVC opener against unbeaten 2A North Wilkes who shutout(49-0) 2A Forbush last Thursday which was the Vikings 2nd straight shutout win...Up in Sparta, the Alleghany Trojans(2-2) own a couple wins against North and South Stokes, and will open MVC play this friday at home against 2A Ashe County(2-2) who should be road-tested after losses at Unbeaten 3A Watauga(4-0) and defending state 2AA Champion Hibriten(5-0)....Preseason favorite 2A Wilkes Central is off to a slow start, so it will be interesting to see if the Eagles can go wire-to-wire in the MVC this year...
SPC(8)
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Entering the season, it once again looks as though Mountain Island Charter(3-1) and Thomas Jefferson(4-0) will have a say in who wins the SPC this year...The Raptors have scored over 60pts in each of their 3 wins with their only loss(23-20) at home to 3A Stuart Cramer(3-1)...The Raptors open SPC play at home this friday against Bessemer City(1-3) who is off to a slow start after a record-setting 2017 campaign..Thomas Jefferson has averaged 53ppg in their last 3 wins, and they will host a vastly improved Cherryville(3-1) team who has had 2 weeks to prepare for friday's SPC opener with the Gryphons in Mooresboro...Pine Lake Prep(3-1) will welcome the Union Academy Cardinals(2-2) for the SPC opener this week...Both teams have beaten Northside Christian Academy this season with the Pride winning on the road(20-14), while the Cardinals won(28-6) at home last wednesday....Perhaps the biggest surprise thus far in the SPC has been the play of the Highland Tech Rams(3-0)...The eye-opening win came back on Sept 7th when the Rams traveled to 2A Lake Norrman Charter and beat(35-28) a Knight team that had already beaten SPC foes Pine Lake Prep(28-14) and the Communtiy School of Davidson(30-10)...The unbeaten Rams will host the Spartans(2-2) this friday in a big SPC opener for both teams...
YVC(8)
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The North Stanly Comets(2-2) steamrolled their way through the YVC last year with the promise of an even better 2018 campaign, but it's been tougher than expected as the Comets have lost 2 of their 3 road games to start the season, losing at 3A East Rowan(27-21) and last wednesday to unbeaten 3A NW Cabarrus(28-24)...The Comets start playing teams more their size this week as they host West Montgomery(1-3) for the YVC opener...The Warriors have lost 3 straight since the opening season win(21-7) over 2A Jordan-Matthews...The main challenger to the Comets appears to be North Rowan(3-1) who is off to a good start after shutout wins over 2A Lexington(17-0) and at 3A Carson(26-0)...The much anticipated showdown with North Stanly doesn't happen until the middle of October(19th), and the Cavaliers will be heavy favorites in their first 4 YVC games which begins this friday at North Moore(1-3)...South Stanly(2-2) has been very competitive thus far with a tough loss(34-14) at unbeaten 2A East Rutherford(5-0), and a narrow loss(20-17) to 2A West Stanly(3-2)...The Rebel Bulls have convincing wins over 2A East Montgomery(62-33) and at 2A Jordan-Matthews(37-6)...The Rebel Bulls open YVC play this friday against South Davidson(1-3)...The Albemarle Bluedogs(0-3) have taken their lumps with hard fought road losses at 2A Thomasville(8-0) and at 2A West Stanly(29-28) to open the season, followed by a shutout loss(50-0) at unbeaten 2A Eastern Randolph(5-0)...Last friday's home opener against 3A Union Pines was postponed due to Hurricane Florence, and may or may not be played today as scheduled?...The Bluedogs open YVC play on the road this friday at Chatham Central(0-4)
SMC(7)
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The Murphy Bulldogs(3-1) have won 3 straight since the opening season loss(15-8) at 2A Pisgah(4-1)...Last week's non-conference matchup with a charter school from Greenwood S.C. was cancelled, giving the Bulldogs a couple weeks of unexpected rest before this friday's huge SMC opener at Big Oak Stadiuim against the Robbinsville Black Knights(3-1)...The Black Knights return a potent rushing attack with their only loss at local private school powerhouse Christ School...Meanwhile, the defending state 1A champs from Cherokee(2-2) have had a target on their back early in the season, losing the opener(24-21) at home to surprising 3A North Buncombe(4-1) whose only loss on the season came against 2A Smoky Mountain---A team that remained unbeaten(4-0) after their 28-12 win over Cherokee last friday in Sylva...The Braves have one final non-conference tuneup this week against Gladiator Sports Academy of Asheville before they host rival Swain County(1-3) in the SMC opener...Speaking of the Maroondevils, it has been somewhat of a slow start with growing pains aplenty to open the season...Swain was Idle last friday in preparation for this week's SMC opener with Hayesville(1-3) who has been stung by the injury bug this season...In Andrews(2-3), the Wildcats have won 2 of their last 3 games, and played Towns County Georgia down to the wire before losing 21-19 in Georgia...Next up for the Wildcats is a trip to Tigertown this friday to face the Rosman Tigers(1-4) in the SMC opener...The Tigers have played a demanding schedule, losing at 2A foes East Henderson(4-1) and Mountain Heritage(3-1) before being shutout(42-0) at home by 2A Brevard(4-1)...The Tigers had to travel to Tennessee to pick up that elusive first win last friday, rallying from 2TDs down to beat the Trinity Academy(22-20) to earn their first win of the season....The SMC opener this friday should be a dandy similar to last year's 21-19 win by the Tigers in Andrews when they survived a furious 2nd half rally by the Wildcats....
On a side note, I would like to offer my thoughts, prayers an condolences to those throughout our state who has been affected by Hurricane Florence, and hope that things will improve rapidly for those affected....
Roar Tigers Roar!
NWC(6)
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In spite of Coaching changes at both Mount Airy and East Surry, both teams are poised for another run at the NWC title, and possible long playoff runs....Mount Airy is averaging nearly 37ppg, but is allowing nearly 20ppg which is about a TD more than last year's team allowed against the same 5 non-conference opponents...The Granite Bears have one final non-conference game before NWC play begins as they host winless(0-4) 2A Surry Central who has had two weeks to prepare for this week's game...Meanwhile, East Surry and Head Coach Trent Lowman(4-1) suffered their first loss(26-19) last wednesday in Pilot Mt to 2A West Stokes(4-1) who suffered their only loss(34-28) to Mt. Airy in King....The Cardinals next host 4A Ragsdale(3-2) who they nearly stunned(34-33) last year...Bishop McGuinness(3-2) is on a 3 game winning-streak, having already beaten 2A foes West Wilkes and Atkins on the road...The Villians will be heavy favorites this friday against Christ the King before hosting East Surry in the NWC opener on Oct 5th....The Villians will also host Mount Airy at the end of October...W-S Prep(2-2) was involved in two shutouts in their last two road games...They lost(49-0) to 4A R.J.Reynolds(3-2) before posting their own shutout(48-0) at Christ the KIng(0-5) which was the Phoenix first shutout in several years...This week, they step up in competition as 4A S. Mecklenburg(0-4) comes to town..The Phoenix will travel to South Stokes(0-5) for the NWC opener....The Sauras have scored only 15pts in their last 3 losses, including last wednesday's 30-7 loss at Elkin...They have one final non-conference game at home against 2A Barlett Yancey before they meet the Phoenix...North Stokes(0-5) has been shutout in their last 4 games as the Vikings and Head Coach Frank Sessoms try to rebuild a football program that is mired in a 28 game losing-streak that includes 5 forfeits from the 2016 season when the football program was in danger of folding altogether....To borrow a phrase from the Carolina Panthers, "Keep Pounding" Vikings!
1A/2A WHC(3)
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Once again, it appears that the 2018 WHC title will be settled between 1A Mitchell County(4-1) and 2A Mountain Heritage(3-1) with both schools having lost to 3A Erwin...The two WHC neighbors meet in Bakersville on Oct 5th, and each school will have two weeks to prepare for their WHC showdown...Before then, both teams will be at home this week as Mitchell faces 2A R-S Central, while 2A Mt. Heritage will have a tough matchup in Burnsville against 2A Hendersonville..Meanwhile, Polk County(1-3) has lost 3 straight after the season-opening win(31-28) at 2A chase, and their next 2 home matchups with 2A foes Pisgah(4-1) and East Rutherford(5-0) won't be easy...The Wolverines will also open WHC play at home against 2A Owen(1-3) on Oct 5th...Avery County(1-4) broke into the win column last wednesday with a win in Newland over 2A Draughn(32-28)...The Vikings are OPEN this week before their final non-conference tuneup at 2A chase on Sept 28th...The Vikings will host 2A Madison County(1-3) in the WHC opener on Oct 5th....
1A/2A MVC(4)
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Elkin(3-1) is off to a great start with their only loss(42-13) at unbeaten Mount Airy...MVC play begins this week with a "Battle for the Bridge" rivalry game with nearby 1A MVC foe Starmount in Elkin....The Rams(0-4) were impressive in their season-opening loss(45-38) to Mount Airy, but they were manhandled by both East Surry and West Stokes before suffering a gut-punch loss(28-18) to rival 2A Forbush(1-4)....The Rams have had two weeks to prepare for their MVC opener at Elkin this coming friday....Meanwhile, East Wilkes(3-1) has won 3 straight since suffering that 31-0 shutout in Ronda to East Surry to open the season, and the Cardinals will have had two weeks to prepare for this week's MVC opener against unbeaten 2A North Wilkes who shutout(49-0) 2A Forbush last Thursday which was the Vikings 2nd straight shutout win...Up in Sparta, the Alleghany Trojans(2-2) own a couple wins against North and South Stokes, and will open MVC play this friday at home against 2A Ashe County(2-2) who should be road-tested after losses at Unbeaten 3A Watauga(4-0) and defending state 2AA Champion Hibriten(5-0)....Preseason favorite 2A Wilkes Central is off to a slow start, so it will be interesting to see if the Eagles can go wire-to-wire in the MVC this year...
SPC(8)
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Entering the season, it once again looks as though Mountain Island Charter(3-1) and Thomas Jefferson(4-0) will have a say in who wins the SPC this year...The Raptors have scored over 60pts in each of their 3 wins with their only loss(23-20) at home to 3A Stuart Cramer(3-1)...The Raptors open SPC play at home this friday against Bessemer City(1-3) who is off to a slow start after a record-setting 2017 campaign..Thomas Jefferson has averaged 53ppg in their last 3 wins, and they will host a vastly improved Cherryville(3-1) team who has had 2 weeks to prepare for friday's SPC opener with the Gryphons in Mooresboro...Pine Lake Prep(3-1) will welcome the Union Academy Cardinals(2-2) for the SPC opener this week...Both teams have beaten Northside Christian Academy this season with the Pride winning on the road(20-14), while the Cardinals won(28-6) at home last wednesday....Perhaps the biggest surprise thus far in the SPC has been the play of the Highland Tech Rams(3-0)...The eye-opening win came back on Sept 7th when the Rams traveled to 2A Lake Norrman Charter and beat(35-28) a Knight team that had already beaten SPC foes Pine Lake Prep(28-14) and the Communtiy School of Davidson(30-10)...The unbeaten Rams will host the Spartans(2-2) this friday in a big SPC opener for both teams...
YVC(8)
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The North Stanly Comets(2-2) steamrolled their way through the YVC last year with the promise of an even better 2018 campaign, but it's been tougher than expected as the Comets have lost 2 of their 3 road games to start the season, losing at 3A East Rowan(27-21) and last wednesday to unbeaten 3A NW Cabarrus(28-24)...The Comets start playing teams more their size this week as they host West Montgomery(1-3) for the YVC opener...The Warriors have lost 3 straight since the opening season win(21-7) over 2A Jordan-Matthews...The main challenger to the Comets appears to be North Rowan(3-1) who is off to a good start after shutout wins over 2A Lexington(17-0) and at 3A Carson(26-0)...The much anticipated showdown with North Stanly doesn't happen until the middle of October(19th), and the Cavaliers will be heavy favorites in their first 4 YVC games which begins this friday at North Moore(1-3)...South Stanly(2-2) has been very competitive thus far with a tough loss(34-14) at unbeaten 2A East Rutherford(5-0), and a narrow loss(20-17) to 2A West Stanly(3-2)...The Rebel Bulls have convincing wins over 2A East Montgomery(62-33) and at 2A Jordan-Matthews(37-6)...The Rebel Bulls open YVC play this friday against South Davidson(1-3)...The Albemarle Bluedogs(0-3) have taken their lumps with hard fought road losses at 2A Thomasville(8-0) and at 2A West Stanly(29-28) to open the season, followed by a shutout loss(50-0) at unbeaten 2A Eastern Randolph(5-0)...Last friday's home opener against 3A Union Pines was postponed due to Hurricane Florence, and may or may not be played today as scheduled?...The Bluedogs open YVC play on the road this friday at Chatham Central(0-4)
SMC(7)
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The Murphy Bulldogs(3-1) have won 3 straight since the opening season loss(15-8) at 2A Pisgah(4-1)...Last week's non-conference matchup with a charter school from Greenwood S.C. was cancelled, giving the Bulldogs a couple weeks of unexpected rest before this friday's huge SMC opener at Big Oak Stadiuim against the Robbinsville Black Knights(3-1)...The Black Knights return a potent rushing attack with their only loss at local private school powerhouse Christ School...Meanwhile, the defending state 1A champs from Cherokee(2-2) have had a target on their back early in the season, losing the opener(24-21) at home to surprising 3A North Buncombe(4-1) whose only loss on the season came against 2A Smoky Mountain---A team that remained unbeaten(4-0) after their 28-12 win over Cherokee last friday in Sylva...The Braves have one final non-conference tuneup this week against Gladiator Sports Academy of Asheville before they host rival Swain County(1-3) in the SMC opener...Speaking of the Maroondevils, it has been somewhat of a slow start with growing pains aplenty to open the season...Swain was Idle last friday in preparation for this week's SMC opener with Hayesville(1-3) who has been stung by the injury bug this season...In Andrews(2-3), the Wildcats have won 2 of their last 3 games, and played Towns County Georgia down to the wire before losing 21-19 in Georgia...Next up for the Wildcats is a trip to Tigertown this friday to face the Rosman Tigers(1-4) in the SMC opener...The Tigers have played a demanding schedule, losing at 2A foes East Henderson(4-1) and Mountain Heritage(3-1) before being shutout(42-0) at home by 2A Brevard(4-1)...The Tigers had to travel to Tennessee to pick up that elusive first win last friday, rallying from 2TDs down to beat the Trinity Academy(22-20) to earn their first win of the season....The SMC opener this friday should be a dandy similar to last year's 21-19 win by the Tigers in Andrews when they survived a furious 2nd half rally by the Wildcats....
On a side note, I would like to offer my thoughts, prayers an condolences to those throughout our state who has been affected by Hurricane Florence, and hope that things will improve rapidly for those affected....
Roar Tigers Roar!
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