Game of the Week: South Point @ Crest: The Crest Chargers are on a mission to defend their state title. Their first opponent will be the team whom they beat to get there, the South Point Red Raiders. Crest escaped the fourth round playoff meeting with a 13-7 victory. They also beat the Red Raiders 35-13 earlier in the year. Up until last year, South Point has had the Chargers' number. Will Crest make it three in a row or will South Point get some payback today?
My pick: Crest 27 - South Point 13
Providence Day @ Forestview: Forestview opens up with one of Charlotte's traditional powerhouses in Providence Day. The Chargers struggled last year finishing up with a 3-9 record. But under new coach, Adam Hastings, Providence Day is hoping for a new beginning. Forestview is looking to build on the successes of the last two seasons. They won their first ever outright conference title last year and made it to the semifinals for the firt time in school history in 2013. To continue that success, Forestview's young offense must grow quickly. Syracuse-bound running-back, Moe Neal, is one of three returning starters on offense.
My pick: Forestview 27 - Providence Day 20
Davidson Day @ Ashbrook: Ashbrook also opens up the season with a private school that has already established themselves as a powerhouse. The Patriots were runners up in the Division II NCISAA league last year, but won it all the year before. The Green Wave is coming off a disappointing season as they finished 5-7 last year. But with 14 starters back from last year's squad, Ashbrook hopes to get better results this time around.
My pick: Davidson Day 28 - Ashbrook 21
East Lincoln @ Hunter Huss: Hunter Huss welcomes the defending 2AA state champs, East Lincoln, today. East Lincoln returns plenty from last year's state title team, including UNC Chapel Hill prospect, Chaz Surratt. The Huskies will likely have their hands full trying to stop the Mustang offense.
My pick: East Lincoln 34 - Hunter Huss 20
Bessemer City @ East Gaston: East Gaston improved last year as they went 5-7 including a playoff loss. With the majority of their offense back from last year, they should continue to improve. The Warriors should be able to cruise to victory in this one. The Yellow Jackets won a share of the Southern Piedmont 1A conference last year and made it to the second round of the playoffs, but they must replace a lot from last year.
My pick: East Gaston 42 - Bessemer City 14
Cherryville @ Stuart Cramer: After a rough inaugural season, the Stuart Cramer Storm is ready to open up a new chapter. The Storm will field seniors this year and with the majority of their team back from last year, they should be on the move up this year. Their first test will come against the Cherryville Ironmen. The Ironmen are looking to put the woes of last season behind them as they finished 4-8. This should be a very competitive ball game between these two.
My pick: Stuart Cramer 21 - Cherryville 14
North Gaston @ Kings Mountain: The matchup between the Wildcats and the Mountaineers features two former conference rivals. North Gaston is hoping to be on the move up after missing the playoffs last year. Kings Mountain is hoping to start strong again, but this time finish strong. The Mountaineers were having a great season last year starting 5-0, but key injuries hurt them as they went 3-3 down the stretch.
My pick: Kings Mountain 35 - North Gaston 14
North Lincoln @ Lincolnton: North Lincoln begins the season with their first of three straight games against their county rivals. With the departure of long-time head coach, Scott Cloninger, the Wolves bring in a new era. New coach Ledford Gibson brings in a new offense, but the Wolves are hopeful to keep the same success that they have enjoyed under Cloninger. Lincolnton dropped last year's opener to the Knights by one point 14-13. So the Wolves will be looking for some payback.
My pick: Lincolnton 28 - North Lincoln 14
Shelby @ Freedom: The Golden Lions open the season up with a team they are very familiar with. The Freedom Patriots used to be in the same conference as Shelby until realignment separated them. This brings back old days in some ways as these two used to open up with each other every year. Both teams are expecting to have big seasons. This one could go down to the wire.
My pick: Shelby 17 - Freedom 10
Q Foundation @ Burns: This game should be a lopsided one. Burns is coming off a rough 4-8 season, but with many key players returning, they should be much improved.
My pick: Burns 48 - Q Foundation 0
Jimmy Draughn @ West Lincoln: Both teams struggled mightily last year. The Rebels finished with a 4-7 record and missed the playoffs. The Wildcats finished 1-10. A win in this game will be a step in the right direction, but it is a long season.
My pick: West Lincoln 28 - Jimmy Draughn 14
Highland Tech @ Newton-Conover: This looks like another lopsided game on paper. The Red Devils started last season 6-0-1, but lost four of their last five games including their first round playoff game to Lincolnton (48-14). The Rams, on the other hand, have only won one game in the past four seasons.
My pick: Newton-Conover 56 - Highland Tech 0
Mountain Island Charter @ Central Academy: Mountain Island Charter is fielding their first ever varsity squad. But they are not expected to have the type of year a typical first-year program has. They are expected to be very competitive. Central Academy could be a good test for the Raptors.
My pick: Central Academy 21 - Mountain Island Charter 14
Thomas Jefferson Academy @ Peculiar Generation: This game looks like another lopsided one on paper. The Gryphons won a share of the Southern Piedmont 1A conference last year and made it to the third round of the playoffs last year.
My pick: Thomas Jefferson 35 - Peculiar Generation 0
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