The Weekly Western 1A Report for Week #10!

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

The number of undefeated 1A teams continued to dwindle last week as both Mitchell County and Southside fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, leaving 4 1A Schools as the ONLY unbeaten teams in the 1A Classification...All 4 of those undefeated teams reside in the West, and hail from the YVC(West Montgomery),SPC(Pine Lake Prep),NWC(East Surry) and the MVC(East Wilkes)...And all 4 of those teams will be tested over the next couple weeks to stay the course, and finish a Regular Season with perfection....

YVC-9
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West Montgomery's(9-0 & 6-0) quest for an unbeaten regular season continued last week as the Warriors dominated(44-6) South Stanly(3-6 & 3-3) in Norwood...Meanwhile, East Montgomery(9-1 & 7-0) trailed early, but rallied late to subdue(27-24)a pesky North Moore(5-4 & 4-3) in Robbins to remain atop the YVC Standings, winning their 9th consecutive game of the season...In other YVC action, North Stanly(6-3 & 4-2) bounced-back after back-to-back losses to East and West Montgomery to record their first ever YVC win(33-8) over Albemarle(2-7 & 2-4)...Meanwhile, Union Academy(2-7 & 2-4) ended a 4-game losing streak with a 28-12 win at Chatham Central(0-9 & 0-6)...South Davidson(0-9 & 0-6) was Idle last week...

Looking Ahead: West Montgomery will host South Davidson on Senior Night in the regular season finale in MT. Gilead, while East Montgomery will be off this week in preparation and anticipation of the matchup with West on Nov 6th for the 2015 YVC Title in Biscoe in perhaps the biggest game ever between the two Montgomery County foes?.....Meanwhile, North Stanly will attempt to claim this year's Stanly County Championship for the first time ever when the Comets travel to South Stanly this friday...The Comets have already beaten 2A West Stanly and Albemarle...Speaking of Albemarle, the Bulldogs will make the trip to Monroe to face the Cardinals of the Union Academy this week...North Moore will end their Regular season this week in Bear Creek against Chatham Central, and will have two weeks to prepare for the upcoming playoffs....

SMC-7
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In Rosman last friday, Swain County(6-3 & 4-0) climbed into a tie at the top of the SMC Standings with Idle Robbinsville(6-2 & 4-0) as the Maroondevils broke away from a halftime deadlock(14-14) with the Tigers(6-3 & 3-2) to record a 28-21 SMC victory....In Murphy, the Bulldogs(7-2 & 3-1) kept their SMC Title hopes alive with a dominating 54-13 victory over their neighbors from Clay County, sending Hayesville(3-5 & 0-4) to their 5th consecutive loss of the season...Over in Andrews, the Wildcats(4-6 & 1-4) ended a 4 game losing-streak of their own with thier first SMC win(41-30) over Cherokee(3-6 & 0-4)....

Looking Ahead: For the first time since both Swain County and Murphy moved down to the 1A Class beginning in 1985, the two teams will not meet in the season finale as the scheduling change by the SMC this year, moved the game up a week to this friday...As usual, the game has SMC Title hope implications for both teams when the bulldogs travel to face the Maroondevils this friday in Bryson City in the SMC Game of the Week....Meanwhile, Robbinsville will look to stay unbeaten in conference play when the Black Knights make the trip to the Reservation to face Cherokee this week....Andrews will finish their Regular Season this week when the Wildcats make their 2nd trip this season to Hayesville...The Wildcats won the earlier non-conference matchup with the Yellowjackets 20-14 back on Sept 18th, which started the Yellowjackets present 5-game slide....Rosman will be Idle this week....

NWC-7
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In Pilot Mountain last friday, East Surry(9-0 & 4-0) remained unbeaten, and tied atop the NWC Standings with Mount Airy(7-2 & 4-0) as the Cardinals dismantled(49-6) Bishop McGuinness(3-7 & 1-4)....Mount Airy also remained unbeaten in the NWC as the Granite Bears blasted(72-6) the winless(0-9 & 0-4) Camels of Atkins...In the NWC Game of the Week last friday, a defensive struggle between WS Prep(3-6 & 1-5) and North Stokes(5-4 & 2-2), resulted in a (10-6) first-ever Vikings' win over the Phoenix who lost their 3rd consecutive NWC game....Walkertown(4-5 & 3-1) who is still alive for their first ever conference title in football was Idle last week...

Looking Ahead: Walkertown will host Mount Airy this friday in the NWC Game of the Week in the Regular season home finale for the Wolfpack...East Surry will travel to North Stokes for another important NWC game, while WS Prep will complete their first season of 1A Varsity Football with a trip to Atkins this week, and will have two weeks to prepare for their first trip to the 1A Playoffs after their meeting with the Camels.....Bishop McGuinness will be Idle this week before closing the Regular season at home against Walkertown on Nov 6th...

SPC-7
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The Pride of Pine Lake Prep(9-0 & 4-0) beat(46-14) Cherryville(1-8 & 1-2) for the first time, and remains unbeaten and tied atop the SPC Standings with the Community School of Davidson(7-2 & 4-0) with the season finale between the two teams in Davidson looming large in a couple weeks...The Spartans continued their romp thru the SPC as they hammered(56-8) winless Highland Tech(0-8 & 0-4) in Davidson....In other SPC action last friday, Thomas Jefferson(7-1 & 3-1) kept their SPC Title hopes alive with a first-ever win(35-24) over Bessemer City(2-7 & 1-3) on the road....Mountain Island Charter(4-5 & 1-4) who has already finished their SPC schedule shutout(41-0) Greenville Christian in non-conference play...

Looking Ahead: Thomas Jefferson will host unbeaten Pine Lake Prep with SPC Title hopes hanging in the balance in this week's SPC game of the Week....In another big SPC matchup, CSOD will travel to Cherryville...Bessemer City will travel to face Highland Tech in the 2nd meeting this season between the two nearby schools...The Yellowjackets won(58-0) the earlier non-conference home matchup with the Rams...Mountain Island Charter will host the Cannon school in non-conference SPC action...

1A/2A MVC-4
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For the first time since 1981, East Wilkes(9-0 & 5-0) is still unbeaten this late in the regular season as the Cardinals beat(28-21) fellow MVC 1A foe Starmount(5-4 & 3-2) for only the 2nd time in school history....The road win by the Cardinals clinched the top 1A seed from the MVC, but more importantly, the win kept the Cardinals alone at the top of the MVC Standings as they seek their first conference title in 20yrs....2A Wilkes Central(7-1 & 4-1) kept their MVC Title hopes in focus last friday with a 48-14 victory over visiting 1A Elkin(1-8 & 1-4)...2A Ashe County(5-4 & 4-1) also kept their MVC Title hopes in check with their first shutout(43-0) of the season at 2A North Wilkes(1-8 & 0-5), while improving 2A West Wilkes(4-5 & 2-3) blasted(41-6) 1A Alleghany(2-7 & 1-4) in Sparta...

Looking Ahead: One of the biggest crowds to ever watch an East Wilkes Football game is anticipated this friday when the Cardinals host 2A Wilkes County foe Wilkes Central in a game that could, and likely will determine this year's MVC Champion or Champions...2A Ashe County's chance for a piece of this year's MVC Title depends on a Wilkes Central victory over East, but the Huskies must do their part, and beat 1A Starmount this coming friday night in West Jefferson as the MVC kicks into high gear this week....In other MVC action this friday, West Wilkes will travel to North Wilkes, while 1A MVC foes Alleghany and Elkin will meet in Elkin....

1A/2A WHC-2
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1A Mitchell County's(8-1 & 3-1) unbeaten season and chance for an undisputed WHC Title, ended last friday night in Burnsville as 2A Mountain Heritage(7-2 & 3-1) jumped on the Mountaineers with an early lead(33-0), and held on to beat(41-27) the 1A Mountaineers...The win by the 2A cougars moves them into a tie atop the WHC Standings with both Mitchell and Hendersonville(5-5 & 3-1)....The Bearcats' potent offensive attack was available for viewing by most of WNC last Thursday as Hendersonville outscored(56-42) 2A Owen(1-8 & 1-5) in a game televised by local station WMYA and featuring a bunch of talented underclassmen for both the 2A teams....A win that ultimately elevated the Bearcats to the top of the WHC Standings after the Mitchell loss at Mountain Heritage....In other WHC action last week, 2A Madison County(2-7 & 2-2) edged(28-23) 1A Avery County(1-8 & 0-4) in Marshall, giving the Partriots their 2nd straight WHC victory...

Looking Ahead: 1A Mitchell County will host 2A Madison County this week, while 1A Avery County will host 2A Mountain Heritage....2A Owen will finish the season at home this friday when the Warhorses host 2A Polk County(4-5 & 2-2) who was Idle last week....Hendesonville who will travel to Columbus to face Polk County in the season finale, will have a couple weeks to prepare for their annual rivalry game with the Wolverines as the Bearcats will be Idle this week...

As usual, Corrections, Comments and Opinions are always welcomed!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[BDHarris]

Good job Rick. But to answer your question this by far isn't the biggest game between em and WM. Mid to late 80's and early 90's when em was actually a legit contender is when the "rivalry" peaked. WM has totally dominated them the last 10 years and this year will be no different. Their record is awesome and they play who's on the schedule. They'll lose by 20. Game will be over by halftime.

 

[LabaR]

Thanks for the report!

 

[bareman]

great job with all the info...that's some work to gather all the facts....I know a lot of people are looking ahead to that last night of the regular season in Pilot Mtn but this Friday is HUGE for both the Bears and Walkertown....W-town still looking for that signature win while the Bears continue to improve each week....love the big games!!!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Good job Rick. But to answer your question this by far isn't the biggest game between em and WM. Mid to late 80's and early 90's when em was actually a legit contender is when the "rivalry" peaked. WM has totally dominated them the last 10 years and this year will be no different. Their record is awesome and they play who's on the schedule. They'll lose by 20. Game will be over by halftime.

Appreciate the reply, but just curious to how often these two teams have met with a Conference Championship on the line?

I know East had some very good teams during the years that you mentioned above, but West has only been a 1A school for about 10yrs or so after being reclassified, so I guess that's the point I was making above is that this would be the first time that they would compete against each other for a football title of some type?...

As far as the compeititiveness of the games played between the two, you of course know more than I since you've obviously seen a lot of those games thru the years, and seem to know the strengths of this year's teams?

Isn't there some type of trophy or such awarded for this rivalry game each year?

Seems I read something about a river rivalry or something?

Would appreciate more insight into this rivalry....

Thanks in Advance!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Thanks for the report!

LabaR, have you seen East Wilkes play this year?

If so, how would this team stack up with some of the Elkin, Mt.Ariy,Starmount or East Surry teams thru the years?

Finally, who wins this friday between the Cardinals and Wilkes Central?

Appreciate the comments!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

great job with all the info...that's some work to gather all the facts....I know a lot of people are looking ahead to that last night of the regular season in Pilot Mtn but this Friday is HUGE for both the Bears and Walkertown....W-town still looking for that signature win while the Bears continue to improve each week....love the big games!!!

Thanks for the comment, bareman!

What's your feeling about this Walkertown game?

Do you consider it somewhat of a Trap game with East Surry looming the following week?

Finally, what kind of facilities do the Wolfpack have, and have you guys called a game there before?

Thanks again, and good luck to your Bears this friday!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Illuminati704]

I think East can beat WC Friday but I don't think they have faced a team with as much speed as WC has so far. WC has about 4 or 5 kids that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Starmount was a good warm up for that. Will definitely be interesting.

 

[bareman]

beautiful stadium...only a few years old...plenty of room.....Wolfpack has better support than some of those W-Salem schools we play...no trap here...Bears know how important it is....one at a time

 

[BDHarris]

Rick you would need to consult the guru of all gurus when it comes to Montgomery County sports Mr. J.W. Houston. The man is a walking library and can answer that. The old Central Tar Heel was a 1A/2A conference with only one champion I believe. WM won it or shared it 12 years in a row I think. As far as a trophy or something no.... It honestly has been so lopsided over the 50+ years with WM holding a 37-17 edge??? or close to that not much is put on it by WM fans except for the week the game is played. WM's ultimate goal is State every year when the season starts in August. Different mindset on that side of the river when it comes to discipline, attitude and dedication. Coach D was great for that school, community and program. Many have attempted to get the same out of the kids and community and all have failed. Reflection of the area.

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Rick you would need to consult the guru of all gurus when it comes to Montgomery County sports Mr. J.W. Houston. The man is a walking library and can answer that. The old Central Tar Heel was a 1A/2A conference with only one champion I believe. WM won it or shared it 12 years in a row I think. As far as a trophy or something no.... It honestly has been so lopsided over the 50+ years with WM holding a 37-17 edge??? or close to that not much is put on it by WM fans except for the week the game is played. WM's ultimate goal is State every year when the season starts in August. Different mindset on that side of the river when it comes to discipline, attitude and dedication. Coach D was great for that school, community and program. Many have attempted to get the same out of the kids and community and all have failed. Reflection of the area.

Appreciate you putting the game into perspective....Good info as well!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

I think East can beat WC Friday but I don't think they have faced a team with as much speed as WC has so far. WC has about 4 or 5 kids that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Starmount was a good warm up for that. Will definitely be interesting.

Good stuff!

When is the last time that East Wilkes won a conference championship in football?

Thanks in advance!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[WMFootballFanatic]

Rick, to add to what BD said, it is called the Little River Feud by some folks around here.

 

[EWCatamount23]

1995 EW won the Blueridge 1A

 

[Deana_King]

That was an awesome atmosphere at Starmount the other night. I would say all of Ronda and Roaring River was over there. It was like playoff football. Nothing like the kids playing in front of a big crowd.

East Wilkes is a solid football team. They have a big fullback that gets 5 yards a carry. Their QB can run or pass. They play team-ball with no superstar. They had a tune-up in facing Brandon Prescott, who I think is the 2nd best player in the league behind Wilkes Central's Andrew Bynum. Wilkes Central has a lot quickness.

It should be a dandy of a ballgame in Ronda.

 

[Deana_King]

Starmount had 3 key players out the East Wilkes game. RB/DB Trey Lomax (2nd leading rusher and top DB). Silas Holbrook (starting FB/LB). Their kicker was out as well and that probably was the biggest miss because of a missed FG before the half and a PAT.

Hope the Rams can get healthy the next few weeks.

 

[EWfootball05]

The last time EW went undefeated was in 1981.

 

[Sportsnut17]

beautiful stadium...only a few years old...plenty of room.....Wolfpack has better support than some of those W-Salem schools we play...no trap here...Bears know how important it is....one at a time

School is 5 years old, adequate seating on both sides. Press box is larger than most 1A high schools. Concessions and restrooms at the end of stadium shared by both sides. Bareman, I said when Walkertown came into your conference that they were simalar to other schools as they are a community school.

 

[bareman]

they do support their teams..... Pitiful crowd Friday night from Atkins...pitiful!!!

 

[EWCatamount23]

Deana, that was a good crowd for both sides. There have been some big crowds between these two through the years but none like that as of recent. Prescott is a good size back with good straight line speed. Is anyone looking at him? Thought after first quarter it was going to be a four possession game.

 

[wormyone42]

Rick, good report as usual, Mitchell will host Madison and Avery to close the season.

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

The last time EW went undefeated was in 1981.

Thanks for the info, I've edited the orginal post!!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Rick, good report as usual, Mitchell will host Madison and Avery to close the season.

Thanks for the correction....I've edited the orginal post!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

1995 EW won the Blueridge 1A

Appreciate the info, and good luck to your Cardinals this friday!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[LabaR]

LabaR, have you seen East Wilkes play this year?

If so, how would this team stack up with some of the Elkin, Mt.Ariy,Starmount or East Surry teams thru the years?

Finally, who wins this friday between the Cardinals and Wilkes Central?

Appreciate the comments!

Roar Tigers Roar!

I have seen them play.

IMO, Bryan for EW has become one of the more dominant power backs I have seen in this area (especially considering it is his first year playing the position, at least that is my understanding). Most of the very successful teams from this area you may be referring to have typically been because of having a dominant openfield/parimeter type backs.

This EW team I would actually compare to a lot of SMC teams I have seen in the past. Physical, run the ball straight at you, type football. They prefer to run the ball straight at you, but are also able to get the big plays when needed via the other backs or thru the air.

I'm going with the Cardinals this Friday.

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

I have seen them play.

IMO, Bryan for EW has become one of the more dominant power backs I have seen in this area (especially considering it is his first year playing the position, at least that is my understanding). Most of the very successful teams from this area you may be referring to have typically been because of having a dominant openfield/parimeter type backs.

This EW team I would actually compare to a lot of SMC teams I have seen in the past. Physical, run the ball straight at you, type football. They prefer to run the ball straight at you, but are also able to get the big plays when needed via the other backs or thru the air.

I'm going with the Cardinals this Friday.

Thanks for the reply....Has there ever been a game of this magnitude between two teams from Wilkes County?

Good luck to the 1A East Wilkes Cardinals this friday, and hope the memorable season continues!

 

[DaBluePrint1]

NICE!!!!
I dont remember two of the Wilkes teams being this good this late in the season. Its such a refreshing and uplifting change for Wilkes teams. That's for sure.

 

[EWCatamount23]

EW hasn't played WC but the last 10 years or so. Prior to that WC was 3A and the 2 didn't play. Both have been mediocre at best over that span. Since 2011 both schools hired coaches with winning backgrounds setting up this weeks game. The big help in that has been the Wilkes superintendent that focused on getting sports to be a positive brand for the communities. So to answer your question, no the Wilkes schools haven't been traditionally good enough to matter.