Game of the Week: Crest @ South Point: High school football is back and what better way to open up the season with two teams who made the trip to the state title last year. Crest won the 3AA state title with a dominant 55-21 win over Southern Durham. South Point, however, came up short in a 24-21 overtime decision to Rocky Mount. The Chargers are riding a 32 game win streak. But they will be counting on some new faces to contribute as key starters such as Tre Harbinson and Willie Green have graduation. The Red Raiders also have to replace some talent on the offensive side of the ball as QB Deontre ‘Goo’ King and FB Ryland Etherton and more also graduated.
But the old saying goes "Tradition never graduates." Both of these teams are rich in tradition. Look for this game to a slobberknocker. Crest has taken the last two games (35-13 in 2014 and 31-13 last year) so South Point is looking to flip that script and snap the Chargers’ 32-game win streak. If you don’t have a game to go to, William Lineberger Stadium will be the place for you.
My pick: Crest 27 – South Point 24
Ashbrook @ Clover: An old interstate rivalry is renewed. These two teams last played in 2011 with Ashbrook winning 10-7 in three overtimes. Clover, however, leads the all-time series 8-7. The Blue Eagles have struggled as of late and are coming off a 1-10 season. But with 17 starters back on the team this year, Clover should be a much improved team. Ashbrook has had an up and down roller coaster ride last year, finishing off at 6-6. The Green Wave beat competitive teams last year in Parkland, Forestview and East Gaston. They also lost some headscratchers such as a 10-0 decision to North Gaston and a 15-9 loss to Lake Norman Charter.
The Green Wave would love to see more consistency. A win Friday night at Clover would be a great start toward that mission. But it is not usually an easy task when crossing the state line.
My pick: Clover 16 – Ashbrook 14
Forestview @ Providence Day: The Post-Moe Neal Era begins at Forestview. Moe Neal became Gaston County's all-time high school leader in points scored, receptions and total yardage (6,882). Those are some big shoes to fill for the Jaguars. The Jaguars opened the season with a 28-14 win over the Chargers last year, but it was a roller coaster ride from there. The Chargers started the season 1-3 but found some success down the stretch, winning four out of their last six games. The Jaguars lost four out of their last five. In two of those losses, they led by 20+ points at some point.
With 13 starters back from last year's 5-7 squad, the Jaguars are hoping to duplicate the success of the 2013 and 2014 squads. The Chargers under second year coach, Adam Hastings, look to be on the move up.
My pick: Forestview 28 - Providence Day 24
Hunter Huss @ East Lincoln: As with Forestview, a new era starts with East Lincoln. Both Surratt brothers are gone. Chazz is at UNC Chapel Hill while younger brother, Sage, has transferred to cross-county rival, Lincolnton. The Mustangs return 10 starters from last year. The Huskies had one of the youngest teams in the area last year and with much experience returning, the Huskies should be more competitive.
My pick: East Lincoln 23 - Hunter Huss 20
Kings Mountain @ North Gaston: Kings Mountain had a great run last year going 9-2 in the regular season and making it all the way to the fourth round of the playoffs. They suffered a big setback this offseason when WR/DB/KR Jake Merchant went down with a torn ACL. But the Mountaineers should still be dangerous this year with starting quarterback Darren Burns returning along with bruising runningback Darian McClain. North Gaston is hoping to improve off of last year's 4-7 season. The Wildcats were close in some of those losses. with 13 starters returning this season, they are looking to turn many of those close losses to wins this year. But the Mountaineers will not be an easy outing.
My pick: Kings Mountain 31 - North Gaston 14
Freedom @ Shelby: Shelby is coming off their third consecutive state title. The Golden Lions blasted Kinston 57-21 in the 2A state title game. Freedom fell in the second round of the playoffs last year to Kings Mountain 21-6. The Patriots lost key runningback B.J. Emmons to graduation. He is at Alabama. The Patriots will try and fill those shoes, but against a defending state champion with most of their defensive starters returning, that will be a really tall task.
My pick: Shelby 35 - Freedom 14
East Gaston @ Bessemer City: East Gaston had their first winning season since 2006 last year. The Warriors finished with a 7-4 regular season record and went 5-2 in conference play claiming sole possession of second place. They were beat in the first round of the playoffs however. They fell 43-28 to Hibriten. But they have to replace several starters on offense like quarterback Alex Adams and runningbacks Tyler Spurling and Robert Washington. The Warriors only return six starters this season. Bessemer City is hoping to bounce back from their 4-8 season. A win against East Gaston would help steer them in the right direction. This game should be close.
My pick: East Gaston 24 - Bessemer City 20
Stuart Cramer @ Cherryville: This looks like a big mismatch. Last year, Stuart Cramer throttled Cherryville 42-0. The Storm returns 14 starters from last year while Cherryville returns ten. The Ironmen also bring in a new coach after Keith Fox resigned in the offseason. Tim Pruitt takes the reigns at Cherryville. Don't think this one will be any closer than last year's lopsided game.
My pick: Stuart Cramer 45 - Cherryville 6
Highland Tech @ Newton-Conover: The Rams came to visit the Red Devils last year, but left with a 54-0 drubbing. The Rams do return 14 starters from last year, but they also bring in a new coach. Don't look for this game to be any different from last year.
My pick: Newton-Conover 48 - Highland Tech 6
Lincolnton @ North Lincoln: Last year, the Wolves drubbed the North Lincoln 62-8 in the season opener. But the Knights are hoping with 13 starters back that they can start the year off better and be more competitive in the North Piedmont Conference. Lincolnton made it all the way to the fourth round last year, but fell 37-21 to eventual state champ, Shelby. Lincolnton is favored to win the Southern District 7 conference this year and with the addition of Sage Surratt, whom transferred from East Lincoln, it's hard not to pick Lincolnton.
My pick: Lincolnton 47 - North Lincoln 20
West Lincoln @ Draughn: Last year did not go the way either team wanted. Draughn narrowly missed the playoffs with a 5-6 record. The Rebels also missed the playoffs, but were 4-7 and had only one conference win. Both are hoping to turn their fortunes around. A win tonight will be a great start to that goal. The Wildcats beat the Rebels 23-6 last year. Will West Lincoln get payback or will the Wildcats prevail again?
My pick: Draughn 20 - West Lincoln 15
Carolina Wildcats @ Burns: Burns started off 3-0 last year, but would lose their final seven games. The Bulldogs should not have any problems with the visiting Wildcats from Pickens.
My pick: Burns 45 - Carolina Wildcats 6
Central Academy @ Mountain Island Charter: Mountain Island Charter begins their third year of football, second in varsity. It was a tough start for the Raptors last year as they began 1-5, but they reeled off five consecutive victories to close out the season and snuck into the playoffs with a 6-5 record. They would lose to Winston-Salem Prep 50-22 in the first round however. The Raptors have 15 starters back and with more experience, they could compete for the Southern Piedmont Conference title. Their first task is against Central Academy, the team they lost 20-18 to in last year's opener.
My pick: Mountain Island Charter 27 - Central Academy 20
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