Jaguars Run Ends

                The Forestview Jaguars trip to the championship was short lived as they fell 35-14 to the Concord Spiders in the fourth round of the N.C. state 3A playoffs. Things started off great for the Jaguars. On their first drive, on 4^th-and-32, Logan Bradley threw a pass into the end-zone that was tipped, but it ultimately landed into the arms of C.J. Bumgardner for a 36-yard touchdown reception. Colton Rouse’s extra point gave Forestview a 7-0 lead.

                But that would be the end of their fun. On Concord’s ensuing drive, Keenan Black connected with Miles Neals for a 49-yard touchdown reception. Logan Sedergren’s reception for a two-point conversion gave Concord an 8-7 lead. On Concord’s next drive, Black took it in himself for a ten-yard touchdown run. Alex Maganda’s kick made it 15-7 Concord.

                Black connected with Neil’s again for a 72-yard touchdown pass to give the Spiders a 21-7 lead. The pass for a two-point conversion failed, though. But it didn’t matter. The Spiders would then do a hook-and-latter play that resulted in another Neils touchdown. It was 28-7 at half-time.

                In the third quarter, Concord just kept on pouring it on. Keenan Black this time connected with Hamsah Nasirildeen for a 20-yard touchdown strike. Maganda’s kick gave the Spiders a dominating 35-7 lead. Forestview did get a drive going in the third quarter and was within striking distance, but Bradley was intercepted by Raquon Pemberton in the end-one. 

                 Now into the fourth quarter, the Jaguars would not quit. Bradley would connect with Mykelti Armstrong for a ten-yard reception. Rouse’s extra point cut the Spiders’ lead to 35-14. Rouse’s on-side kick was successfully recovered. But the Jaguars failed to punch another score in and Concord would melt the clock and Forestview would not get another shot as their hopes for a trip the state championship were wrecked.

Gaston and Cleveland Round 4 Playoff Picks and Game-by-Game Results

Forestview (10-4) @ Concord (14-0): Who would have thought the Jaguars would have made this far after the adversity they suffered toward the end of the season? Well, here they are! After losing to South Point 49-34, Ashbrook 34-31, and Hunter Huss 24-20, and lost their quarterback, Logan Bradley in the process, the Jaguars looked like they were left for dead. Then Forestview made adjustments and the team overcame the loss with two straight blowout wins – a 65-8 win at East Gaston in the regular season finale and a 63-48 win at Carson in the first round of the playoffs. Then Bradley came back against Freedom, a game the Jaguars won 35-34 and he has not missed a beat since his return. They are coming off a 42-20 whipping of Hibriten. Concord has put together an undefeated season and will prove to be a big test for this resilient Jaguar team. The Spiders have put up 50 or more points in four games this year. Last week, the Spiders held South Point’s offense to their lowest point total of the season in their 21-13 win and they are looking to deal Forestview that same fate.

Shown below are game-by-game results of each team.

Forestview

Nation Ford – Lost 57-56
@ Clover – Won 41-6
@ Kings Mountain – Won 41-14
East Lincoln – Won 44-27
Lake Norman Charter – Won 63-7
Bessemer City – Won 66-7
@ North Gaston – Won 55-22
South Point – Lost 49-34
@ Ashbrook – Lost 34-31
Hunter Huss – Lost 24-20
@ East Gaston – Won 65-8
@ J.C. Carson – Won 63-48
@ Freedom – Won 35-34
@ Hibriten – Won 42-20

Concord

@ A.L. Brown – Won 33-20
Mount Pleasant – Won 21-2
@ Hickory Ridge – Won 51-27
South Rowan – Won 34-13
@ East Rowan – Won 55-28
Central Cabarrus – Won 63-50
@ Cox Mill – Won 28-14
J.C. Carson – Won 35-8
@ West Rowan – Won 24-13
NW Cabarrus – Won 52-21
Garinger – Won 70-6
NW Cabarrus – Won 29-0
Piedmont – Won 21-14
South Point – Won 21-13

·         - bolded games are common opponents

My pick: Forestview 28 – Concord 27

Northwest Guilford (12-2) @ Crest (13-1): Don’t let the record fool you, the Nighthawks are actually undefeated on the field but had to forfeit two wins this year. The Chargers lost their season opener to South Point 35-16, but have not looked back and rolled up 13 consecutive victories. The Chargers have won all three of their playoff games by 10 or more points. It will not be easy tonight as Northern Guilford has held ten of their opponents to seven points or less, including five shutouts. These two met in consecutive state titles in 2010 and 2011 with the Nighthawks winning 21-20 in the first one and then winning the second one by a dominating score of 31-7. The Chargers hope to write a new chapter to that story.

Shown below are game-by-game results of each team.

Crest

South Point – Lost 35-16
@ Ashbrook – Won 25-23
Draughn – Won 39-6
@ T.C. Roberson – Won 44-34
@ R-S Central – Won 33-17
Chase – Won 52-14
@ Kings Mountain – Won 43-7
East Burke – Won 41-7
@ East Rutherford – Won 35-14
Burns – Won 21-17
@ Shelby – Won 31-14
Hickory Ridge – Won 41-20
Ashbrook – Won 23-13
A.C. Reynolds – Won 30-14

Northern Guilford

@ Page – Won 21-14
Northwest Guilford – Lost by forfeit (won 33-7 on field)
Williams – Lost by forfeit (won 7-0 on field)
@ Reidsville – Won 34-33
@ Western Alamance – Won 30-7
Eastern Alamance – Won 29-6
@ Rockingham County – 35-0
Eastern Guilford – Won 41-0
@ Northeast Guilford – Won 49-0
McMichael – Won 40-7
@ Morehead – Won 49-6
Eastern Guilford – Won 28-0
Central Cabarrus – Won 34-14
Weddington – Won 22-19

My pick: Northern Guilford 24 – Crest 21

Shelby (10-4) @ Reidsville (12-2): The Regular season did not end the way the Golden Lions would have hoped as they lost two of their last three games. If anything, it seemed to make Shelby hungrier. The Golden Lions opened the playoffs with a 58-8 whipping of Mountain Heritage. The next week, they took their momentum on the road to North Wilkes and came away with a 42-20 victory. Last week, they took down top-seeded North Rowan 45-21. The Rams have been pretty dominant in the regular season but have been slowed down a little bit. Last week, they barely squeezed by Lincolnton 13-10. These two teams are no strangers to each other. The Rams last played Shelby in the 2007 state title game. Reidsville came away with a 28-20 victory, capping off a perfect 16-0 season. In 2005, the Golden Lions traveled to Reidsville in the playoffs and won 26-18 en route to their first of two consecutive state titles. This one will be for a ticket to the big dance.

Shown below are game-by-game results of each team.

Shelby

@ Polk County - Won 38-21
A.C. Reynolds – Lost 49-42
@ South Point – Lost 35-24
@ R-S Central – Won 45-14
Chase – Won 32-20
@ Kings Mountain – Won 49-0
East Burke – Won 37-14
@ East Rutherford – Won 48-10
Burns – Lost 38-34
@ Draughn – Won 49-14
Crest – Lost 31-14
Mountain Heritage – Won 58-8
North Wilkes – Won 42-20
North Rowan – Won 45-21

Reidsville

@ McMichael – Won 32-0
Rockingham County – Won 28-7
@ Morehead – Won 42-7
Northwest Guilford – Lost 42-14
Northern Guilford – Lost 34-33
Northeast Guilford – Won 32-7
Jordan-Matthews – Won 34-7
@ Bartlet-Yancey – Won 55-32
Graham – Won 55-15
@ Cummings – Won 35-7
@ Carrboro – Won 49-6
Hendersonville – Won 50-20
Polk County – Won 27-19
Lincolnton – Won 13-10

My pick: Shelby 28 – Reidsville 21