Gaston and Lincoln Round 3 Playoff Picks

Game of the Week: 2AA #5 Lincolnton (11-2) @ #1 East Lincoln (13-0): Rematch time! The Mustangs won the matchup between these two and won the SD7 2A conference, but the Wolves are looking to avenge the 49-27 loss to the Mustangs. Nobody has been able to stop the high-powered Mustang offense this year. Their offense has been held below 30 points only once this year and that was against North Lincoln. The Mustangs escaped with a 28-27 win. Since then, the Mustangs have scored 50 points a game.

Lincolnton has only allowed 20 points or more in three games, including the loss to East Lincoln. The Wolves have allowed 17 points a game. The Wolves are hopeful at slowing Surratt and company down, but their offense will need to sustain long drives and keep the East Lincoln offense off the field.

This will likely be much closer than the last time they met.

My pick: East Lincoln 35 – Lincolnton 28

3A #4 Forestview (11-2) @ #1 Crest (13-0): The Jaguars, for the second year in a row, are playing on the weekend of Thanksgiving. They are hoping for the same success they had this time last year. The Chargers will be a tall task for Forestview. They are allowing an average of five points a game and have pitched six shutouts. Only three teams have scored double-digits on Crest. The Chargers’ closest game of the year came against arch-rival, Shelby. The Golden Lions held a 10-0 lead at half-time, but saw it wither away in a 21-13 Crest victory.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, score an average of 40 points a game. They have only been held below 30 points once and that was against Kings Mountain in a week three 35-21 loss. The Jaguars are led by Division 1 prospect, Moe Neal.

This could be a very low-scoring game.

My pick: Forestview 19 – Crest 17

#15 East Rowan (7-6) @ #6 South Point (9-4): More and more #15 seeds are coming out and making noise. Last year #15 Parkwood in 2AA, and this year #15 East Rowan. The Red Raiders made a statement last week by whipping #3 Concord 37-21. East Rowan lost to that same team 29-12. So the odds in this one favor the Red Raiders. But it’s a different season in the playoffs.

Will the Mustangs be ready to stop Jaquan Brooks, Rylan Ethertan, Clemson recruit Tanner Muse and Jeffrey Pearsall? Ever since their 0-2 start, nobody has really slowed them down. The Mustang offense will have to account for Muse in the defensive backfield too.

My pick: South Point 35 – East Rowan 21