Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland Week 9 Picks

 Game of the Week: Forestview (2-5)(1-2) @ Ashbrook (3-4)(1-3): You can almost call this a must-win game. Neither team has four wins yet and both have only one conference win. A loss tonight will not mathematically eliminate them from playoff contention, but will put their backs against the wall in the upcoming weeks. If Forestview loses this game, they will need to win out in order to make it in. If Ashbrook loses, they will need to win one of their next two games to have a chance to get in. Look for both teams to put everything on the line.

My pick: Ashbrook 24 – Forestview 17

Crest (6-2)(3-0) @ Hunter Huss (5-3)(1-2): After starting the season 5-0, the Huskies have fallen on hard times. They lost three straight and none of them were even close. Now they must face a Crest squad that is only getting better. The past three weeks, the Huskies have only scored 13 points while allowing 132. The Chargers have scored 47, 27, and 52 the past three weeks. Don’t look for the trend to change anytime soon.

My pick: Crest 42 – Hunter Huss 14

North Gaston (0-8)(0-4) @ Kings Mountain (4-4)(2-1): Kings Mountain comes into this game with a two-game winning streak. North Gaston comes in looking for a win. Though they are not in the playoff race, they could try and play a spoiler role. However, that will be an unlikely scenario with the way Kings Mountain’s defense has been playing and the fact that their offense is coming around. For the past two weeks their defense has held their opponents to only three points. Look for Kings Mountain to be above .500 for the first time since the opening week.

My pick: Kings Mountain 45 – North Gaston 7

West Lincoln (3-5)(2-2) @ North Lincoln (1-7)(1-3): The West Lincoln Rebels are looking to sneak back into the playoff hunt and make their second straight appearance after missing the three previous years. Standing in their way on this night is North Lincoln. The Knights have had very little to hang their hat on this year, but would love to spoil the Rebels’ bid for a playoff berth. The Rebels have lost games that many didn’t think they would lose. If they lose this game, they could be in real danger of missing the post-season since their schedule will not be any easier from here. They should be able to take care of their county rival in this game, though.

My pick: West Lincoln 23 – North Lincoln 10

Lincolnton (7-1)(4-0) @ Bessemer City (4-3)(4-0): Believe it or not, this is for the Southern Piedmont 2A/1A conference title. Those words seemed like nothing more than a fantasy when the Yellow Jackets started the season 0-4. Their last loss turned into a forfeit win the same day the Yellow Jackets picked up their first win on the field. The Yellow Jackets have upset on their minds, but Lincolnton has played very good football this year and that will be a tall mountain to climb for Bessemer City. Don’t look for this game to be close.

My pick: Lincolnton 49 – Bessemer City 14

Highland Tech (0-8)(0-4) @ Cherryville (3-5)(2-2): Cherryville is looking for their first home win since week 2 of the season when they beat Davidson Community Charter 28-14. Highland Tech is looking for their first win, period. With less than four wins under their belt, the Ironmen need one more win to at least have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. They are currently the #2 1A team in the conference and a win tonight would just about seal that deal for them.

My pick: Cherryville 31 – Highland Tech 18

Lake Norman Charter (4-3)(1-3) @ East Lincoln (4-4)(2-2): Lake Norman Charter got their first conference win of the season as they blew out North Lincoln 35-0 and with four wins, they have a shot at making the post-season. Don’t look for them to repeat the kind of success they had last week against East Lincoln, though.

My pick: East Lincoln 42 – Lake Norman Charter 14

Patton (0-8)(0-4) @ Burns (7-1)(3-0): This is a mismatch here. Burns is currently the #1 team overall in the South Mountain 3A/2A conference. Patton is the last place team in the conference and are currently on a 14-game losing streak dating back to October 1 of last year when they were beat by East Rutherford 21-14. They started the season 6-0. They have seen no such success this year and Burns is just as good if not better than they were last year.

My pick: Burns 52 – Patton 14

R-S Central (1-6)(1-3) @ Shelby (4-4)(2-1): The Hilltoppers got their first win of the season last week as they topped winless Patton 27-0. Now they travel to face a Shelby team that is riding momentum. After starting the season 1-4, the Golden Lions righted their ship just in time and are now on a three-game winning streak. A win against R-S Central would put the Golden Lions above .500 for the first time this season.

My pick: Shelby 34 – R-S Central 14