Game of the Week: 3A #13 East Gaston (5-6) @ #4 Forestview (9-2): You Again? Just a week after the Jaguars defeated East Gaston 34-0 to claim the Big South conference title outright, they draw the Warriors again. The Jaguars are no strangers to rematches. In fact, the Jaguars had one three years ago against Kings Mountain. Forestview defeated the Mountaineers 21-12 in the regular season finale to claw into the playoffs. However, they faced them a week later in the playoffs and were slaughtered 43-13. The Jaguars are 0-3 in playoff rematches. They faced South Point in the playoffs two consecutive years (2009 and 2010) and lost both. Forestview is hoping to flip the script on that. They should be able to if they stay focused. But the Warriors are a dangerous team and have some extra incentive for this game. East Gaston has not won a playoff game since 2006. Their last playoff win was a 34-28 decision against Mount Tabor. East Gaston also had a rematch with a conference foe that year. That opponent was Ashbrook. The Warriors beat the Green Wave 32-28 in the regular season, but trounced them 44-15 in the first round. Look for this game to be much closer than last week’s Forestview blowout.
My pick: Forestview 34 – East Gaston 27
2A #12 Newton-Conover (7-3-1) @ #5 Lincolnton (9-2): Lincolnton also hosts a team they beat in regulation. The Wolves blew the Red Devils out 51-8 in Newton earlier. The Red Devils are looking for some payback, but Lincolnton will be very tough on this night. The Red Devils in three of their past four games have given up over 30 points. Newton-Conover will have to tighten up on defense in order to have a chance in this rematch because Lincolnton’s defense has been pretty stingy.
My pick: Lincolnton 38 – Newton-Conover 22
3A #11 Fred T. Foard (6-5) @ #6 South Point (7-4): South Point had a very tough start at the beginning of the year going 1-3. But they won six of their last seven games, with their only loss being to conference champ, Forestview. The Red Raiders are 2-4 at home, but are 5-0 on the road. This one will be at home, though since the Red Raiders are a #2 seed from their respective conference and the Tigers are a wildcard from theirs. Each team enters the playoffs with only one win over a team with a winning record. South Point should take this one easily though.
My pick: South Point 31 – Fred T. Foard 14
3AA #15 Ashbrook (5-6) @ #2 Cuthbertson (8-3): Ashbrook limps into the playoffs after losing three of their last five games. Last week they surrendered the victory bell to rival, Hunter Huss, in a 20-14 game. The Green Wave hopes to put this behind them as they travel to face the Cuthbertson Cavaliers. These two met in the regular season last year with Ashbrook winning 33-0. So the Cavaliers may have payback in mind. This game could go down to the wire.
My pick: Cuthbertson 31 – Ashbrook 24
2AA #13 Parkwood (6-5) @ #4 Hunter Huss (4-7): Another matchup from last year takes place in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, Parkwood eliminated the Huskies from the playoffs in the third round 24-14. Now the Huskies are looking to return the favor. Huss got the Big South conference’s top 2A seed and that is why they are hosting the Rebels. This should be a competitive matchup just like last year.
My pick: Hunter Huss 24 – Parkwood 20
2AA #16 Smoky Mountain (2-9) @ #1 East Lincoln (11-0): 2-9? Why is this team in the playoffs again? Well, the Smoky Mountain Mustangs likely won’t be in it for long. This first round battle of the Mustangs will be anything but. Look for East Lincoln to roll right to the second round. The last time the host Mustangs were even in a close game was in a 40-33 win over Forestview.
My pick: East Lincoln 56 – Smoky Mountain 14
3AA #9 Kings Mountain (8-3) @ #8 West Henderson (7-4): Kings Mountain had the ups and downs this season, but finished the regular season on a high note, winning the last two games. They have to travel to take on the Falcons of West Henderson. The Falcons have won only one game at home this year so this could favor the Mountaineers. But there’s a reason they play the game.
My pick: Kings Mountain 28 – West Henderson 21
1AA #13 North Moore (6-5) @ #4 Bessemer City (8-3): For the second straight year the Yellow Jackets stumble into the playoffs following a loss to their arch-rival, Cherryville. Last year, they were bounced from the first round with a 36-21 loss to Avery County. But the Yellow Jackets should put the sting in North Moore and advance to the second round.
My pick: Bessemer City 42 – North Moore 14
1AA #12 Cherryville (4-7) @ #5 Starmount (8-3): After winning three of their last five, including last week’s win over Bessemer City, Cherryville is shown no love as they travel to a dangerous Starmount team. The Ironmen have not won a game on the road. The Rams, on the other hand, have only lost one game at home. The odds don’t favor Cherryville in this one.
My pick: Starmount 35 – Cherryville 7
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