Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland County Week 8 Picks

 Game of the Week: Kings Mountain (3-4)(1-1) @ Ashbrook (3-3)(1-2): Ashbrook is looking to get back on track after being bounced by South Point 56-7 last week. Kings Mountain looks like they have turned their season around just in time. After two straight losses to South Point and Shelby, the Mountaineers decided that was enough. They turned around and throttled Hunter Huss 31-3. Ashbrook lost three of their last four after starting the season 2-0 and hopes to stop the bleeding against a resurging Kings Mountain team. Kings Mountain has taken the last two games from Ashbrook.

My pick: Kings Mountain 21 – Ashbrook 20

South Point (7-0)(3-0) @ Forestview (2-4)(1-1): The Red Raiders continue their tear through the Big South 3A. The Jaguars are coming off their second win of the year with a convincing 48-14 win at North Gaston. But after having their most lopsided win of the year, they have their most fierce challenge of the year as South Point and the high-powered red-bone offense and stifling defense pay a visit to Forestview. Only two teams have been competitive with South Point this year. Both teams are ranked real high in the state polls, though. Can the Jaguars find a formula to slow down South Point or will this be over before they even crown their Homecoming queen?

My pick: South Point 56 – Forestview 14

North Gaston (0-7)(0-3) @ Crest (5-2)(2-0): The Chargers continue to improve as the year progresses. They handed A.C. Reynolds their third straight loss en route to a 27-14 victory and won four straight since starting the season 1-2. Crest resumes conference play as they host North Gaston. With just three games left and no wins, the Wildcats are mathematically eliminated from post-season contention, but can still play for pride. However, they will have a very slim to none shot at taking down Crest.

My pick: Crest 34 – North Gaston 7

Hunter Huss (5-2)(1-2) @ Freedom (6-1)(2-1): Hunter Huss is spiraling down. After a promising 5-0 start, they lost two straight games and by big margins. The Huskies have only scored 6 points these past two weeks and have allowed 73 points. Now they have to travel to face a red-hot Freedom team. The Patriots’ only loss of the year came against Burns by a score of 28-27.

My pick: Freedom 28 – Hunter Huss 7

Garinger (0-7)(0-3) @ East Gaston (2-5)(0-3): Both teams are desperately seeking their first conference win this season. Garinger is seeking their first win of the season, period. Garinger is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs being winless and having only three games left. East Gaston is in danger of falling out of playoff contention. A loss against the Wildcats could be the dagger. Do look for east Gaston to get the victory though.

My pick: East Gaston 24 – Garinger 7

Lincolnton (6-1)(2-0) @ Cherryville (3-4)(2-1): Lincolnton got past what should have been their toughest challenge of the year as they defeated East Lincoln 55-35. Could the Wolves be in for a let-down as they travel to face a struggling Cherryville team? The Ironmen have dropped two straight home games and hope to avoid dropping a third. To do that, they must stop Lincolnton’s high-powered offense and get their own offense going.

My pick: Lincolnton 41 – Cherryville 14

North Lincoln (1-6)(1-2) @ Lake Norman Charter (3-3)(0-3): The North Lincoln Knights picked up their first win of the season against Highland Tech last week. They will travel to Huntersville to take on Lake Norman Charter Knights. Of all the wins Lake Norman Charter picked up, none were conference wins. Can North Lincoln get their second straight victory or will Lake Norman Charter be poised to get their first conference victory? Which Knights team will prevail?

My pick: Lake Norman Charter 20 – North Lincoln 14

Bessemer City (3-3)(3-0) @ Highland Tech (0-7)(0-3): Bessemer City is in an unusual situation. Last week, they picked up two wins. One was their 21-18 victory over Lake Norman Charter and the other was hours earlier when East Lincoln had to forfeit their 56-13 win over the Yellow Jackets. Bessemer City has a chance to remain undefeated (though not on the field) in conference play headed into Highland Tech. The Rams still have not won a game this year so far.

My pick: Bessemer City 35 – Highland Tech 7

West Lincoln (3-4)(2-1) @ East Lincoln (3-4)(1-2): West Lincoln dropped their first conference game of the year against Cherryville. East Lincoln was basically dealt two losses in one day. They were defeated 55-35 by Lincolnton and also found out they had to forfeit their 56-13 win over Bessemer City hours earlier. All that is behind them and they must focus on county rival, West Lincoln. The Mustangs should be able to get back on track since the Rebels have been struggling lately.

My pick: East Lincoln 42 – West Lincoln 14

Shelby (3-4)(1-1) @ Chase (6-1)(2-1): The Golden Lions just a few weeks ago looked like their season was headed down the drain, but after two straight wins there seems to be more excitement surrounding Shelby. Their two-game winning streak will be put to the test as they travel to face 6-1 Chase. The Trojans lost for the first time this year last week as they were defeated by Burns 28-14. History is on Shelby’s side as Chase has never beaten Shelby. Could this be the year that the Trojans end that streak?

My pick: Shelby 17 – Chase 14

East Rutherford (5-2)(2-0) @ Burns (6-1)(2-0): The Bulldogs are looking to stay hot and are looking for their second straight conference title in the South Mountain 3A/2A conference. After snapping Chase’s six-game winning streak, they face another Rutherford County team looking to make a run at the conference title. The Cavaliers, though, are coming off a 35-14 loss to Providence Day. This game won’t be a walk in the park either.

My pick: Burns 34 – East Rutherford 14