Gaston and Lincoln Round 2 Playoff Picks

Game of the Week: 3A: #6 South Point (8-4) @ #3 Concord (12-0): Last year, South Point’s playoff run ended at the hands of the Concord Spiders. But the Red Raiders are hoping for some payback and redemption. South Point had a rough start to begin the year off as they were 1-3. But they have won eight of their last nine games. Of all the games they have lost, none of them have been on the road. So that could work in South Point’s favor. Concord is coming off a third consecutive undefeated regular season. They are two-time 3A runners up, losing to Havelock both times. The Spiders’ only concern now is getting past a dangerous South Point team.

Prior to last year’s meeting, the Red Raiders and the Spiders met three times, all three were in South Point. In 2000, South Point won 28-13. The Red Raiders won again in similar fashion in 2001, 26-13. But when they met in 2003, it wasn’t even close. The Red Raiders ran away with a 69-21 victory, in route to their 2003 state title. Look for this game to be as close as last year’s matchup.

My pick: South Point 28 – Concord 21

3A #5 Pisgah (9-3) @ #4 Forestview (10-2): For the first time in school history, Forestview makes back-to-back appearances in the second round of the playoffs. The Jaguars are hoping for the exact same result as last year when they edged Freedom 35-34. These two teams have never met before, but Black Bears head coach Brett Chappell has faced the Jaguars in the past. That was ten years ago (2004) when East Henderson, the team he coached then, visited Forestview and left with a 29-13 victory.

But this is a different year and a different ball game. Look for this to go down to the wire.

My pick: Forestview 35 – Pisgah 28

1AA #5 Starmount (9-3) @ #4 Bessemer City (9-3): Bessemer City advances to the second round of the playoffs by squeaking past North Moore 28-21. They will have a much tougher test against a hot Starmount squad coming off a 75-27 win over Cherryville. Look for another defeat of a Gaston County team at the hands of the Rams.

My pick: Starmount 42 – Bessemer City 14

2AA #13 Parkwood (7-5) @ #5 Lincolnton (10-2): Parkwood made a deep playoff run last year as a #15 seed. This year, they are hoping to do it as a #13 seed. They had a great start of it last week by whipping #4 seed, Hunter Huss, 37-7. But the Wolves will be a tall task for the Rebels, especially in Lincolnton where they have not lost a game this year. All their wins at home were very lopsided. Lincolnton is coming off a 48-14 romping of conference rival, Newton-Conover. Midnight is likely going to come early for Cinderella this time. A win for the Wolves would likely set up a rematch with county-rival, East Lincoln. The Mustangs rolled the Wolves 49-27 earlier.

My pick: Lincolnton 42 – Parkwood 21

2AA #9 R-S Central (8-4) @ #1 East Lincoln (12-0): R-S Central got past Bandys last week in a 29-26 back-and-forth battle. The Hilltoppers will have their hands full against East Lincoln, however. The Mustangs have been rolling through their opponents. Their last eight games were decided by deficits of 21, 22, 31, 34, 35, 48 and 56 points respectively. R-S Central probably won’t have the firepower to match East Lincoln.

My pick: East Lincoln 55 – R-S Central 14

Special Team Woes Doom Warriors Early

It was a cold night at Forestview’s Joe Alala Stadium. Of course, that’s playoff football for you. After taking a 34-0 beating from Forestview last week, East Gaston was looking to serve some cold revenge on the Jaguars. However, an unsuccessful onside kick to open the game, a fumbled kick return and a kickoff return for a touchdown given up made the Warriors feel left out in the cold.

Forestview capitalized on all of the Warriors special team woes. Moe Neal put Forestview on top 13-0 with just ten minutes to go in the first quarter with runs of 19 and 5. But East Gaston did respond with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Alex Adams to Austin Woods. Matt Marks’s extra point made it 13-7.

But Caleb Mills’s 78-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Trey Heavener’s extra point extended Forestview’s lead to 20-7. Neal added another touchdown run, this time from 28 yards out. East Gaston was not done shooting themselves in the foot. Adams attempted a screen pass, but was intercepted by Daryl McNeil. A personal foul penalty put the ball at the five-yard line. Isaiah Sanders took it in from there with a five-yard run. Heavener’s kick made it 34-7.

Neal would score his last touchdown of the night from three yards out to lead Forestview to a 41-7 half-time lead. Neal finished with 136 yards rushing and the four touchdowns all in the first half.

Logan Melsior got Forestview’s only touchdown of the second half with an eleven yard touchdown run. The Jaguars would continue subbing and putting in different players in the second half.

The Warriors did get an oh-by-the-way touchdown late in the fourth quarter with a Tyler Spurling touchdown plunge from the one-yard line.

“We just emphasized that we need to start off strong.” Forestview head coach Chris Medlin said “We haven’t done that the past three weeks. (Capitalizing on the onside kick) was a good way to start. ”

“I felt like the game was well in hand.” Medlin said, referring to sitting Moe Neal and John Crawford in the second half, up 41-7 “We subbed as many as we could. That playing time is very valuable.”

The Jaguars also won the turnover battle 4-2. They have won the turnover battle 8-3 in these two games combined.

“We felt coming in, we had a great week of practice.” East Gaston head coach Sean Joyce said “We took a risk early with the onside kick. That was a high risk/high reward play. Then we fumble on the ensuing kickoff and allow a kickoff return for a touchdown.”

“No disgrace! We have come a long way. I am excited for the future here at East Gaston.”

Forestview will host Pisgah next week. The Black Bears edged Hibriten 16-13 in Canton.

Gaston and Lincoln Round 1 Playoff Picks

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

Forestview comes alive in the second half, clinches title outright

                It took Forestview until the second half to really get going. But once they did, East Gaston simply had no answers. John Crawford’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sanders was Forestview’s only score in the first half. East Gaston had a chance to tie it up before half-time, but fumbled at the five-yard line.

                In the second half, the Jaguars went right to work. Crawford capped off the opening drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Mills.  Trey Heavener’s kick made it 14-0. The Jaguars extended the lead to 21-0 with another Crawford pass. This time, it was a seven yard touchdown pass to Moe Neal.

                The Jaguars would put the game away in the fourth quarter with a five-yard touchdown run by Moe Neal. Heavener’s kick made it 28-0. Backup quarterback Colton Guthrie punched one more in from the one-yard line. The extra point was blocked.

                The Jaguars also won the turnover battle 4-1. The Jaguars forced two fumbles in the first half and snagged two interceptions in the closing minutes. East Gaston had an interception late in the first half.

                Moe Neal led Forestview with 145 yards rushing, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Crawford accounted for 118 total yards (80 passing and 38 rushing) and three touchdowns. Alex Adams led East Gaston with 104 yards passing.

                The Jaguars clinch their first ever outright conference title. The Jaguars also pitch their first home conference shutout since 2008, when they beat North Gaston 45-0.

                “I’m tickled to death. We have a great group of kids.” Said Forestview head coach Chris Medlin “We got great guys on offense and defense. We lost lots of great players from last year’s team. We set some expectations and this group is buying in.”

                Prior to this game, Forestview went three out of four games without allowing a touchdown in the first half. Though they were down 6-0 to Ashbrook before escaping with a 48-22 win. They were up 14-6 on Huss at half-time allowing only two field-goals before pulling away 36-12. In their matchup with North Gaston, they were up 21-3 at half-time. They won 42-17.

                “Defense was lights out. 34-0 to nothing against a darn good football team.” Medlin said “East Gaston did a good job and they played hard (against us).”

                “Moe Neal is good.” Said East Gaston head coach Sean Joyce “I felt in the first half we did a great job defensively to give us a good chance.”

                “At half-time, it should have been 7-7. We hit a pass and we fumbled at the five-yard line. We tell the kids to continue to fight and don’t look at the scoreboard to determine your efforts.”

                “Getting into the playoffs is big.” Joyce added “We get to have another week. This group can be dangerous. They have been tight, believe in each other and is the best group I have been a part of.”

                Both teams will find out who they will play next Friday, later on today when the playoff brackets come out.

Forestview clinches a share of the conference title, #1 3A spot in Big South

                The Jaguars were hopeful of clinching a share of the conference title and the conference’s #a playoff spot in the 3A division. Whelp, they did just that in their convincing 36-12 win at Hunter Huss. The Jaguars can clinch the title outright for the first time in school history a win over East Gaston Friday.

                The Jaguars started off slow and did not get on the board until the second quarter. Early on, it looked as though the Huskies would score the first touchdown when a Husky defender picked off a John Crawford pass and took it all the way to the end-zone. But a roughing the passer penalty took the touchdown off the board.

                Hunter Huss would however get on the board first with a 27-yard field-goal from Seth Jones. But that would be the only time the Huskies had the lead. The Jaguars would storm back. They would try the fullback dive, but fumbled it in the end-zone. However, Forestview did recover it for a touchdown.

                With just a minute to go in the half, Forestview got the ball back. Moe Neal gashed up the gut of the Hunter Huss defense and took it all the way for a 67-yard touchdown run. Trey Heavener’s extra point made it 14-3. But the Huskies had enough time for Jones to kick another field-goal. This time, it was from 37 yard out. 14-6 would be the score at half-time.

                In the second half, Forestview went back to work. A four-yard touchdown from Neal gave the Jaguars a 20-6 lead. Heavener’s kick made it 21-6. But Hunter Huss was not done. Andrew Jordan’s touchdown pass to Maurice Smith cut the Jaguars’ lead to 21-12. The extra point was blocked, however, and that kept it at a two-possession score.

                But that would be as close as the Huskies got. A 19-yard touchdown pass from John Crawford to Moe Neal and a four-yard touchdown run by Montavis Rogers made the score 34-12. The Jaguars were in position to go for another touchdown, but this time they would fumble and lose it. Da’shaun Currence scooped up the loose ball and ran it out to the 12-yard line. But a holding penalty in the end-zone forced a safety and the Huskies had to punt it off.

                Each team had two lost fumbles in this game.

                “Sometimes, you have to win games like this.” said Forestview head coach Chris Medlin “I’m happy to get the share of the conference title and the #1 spot in conference.”

                “I’m thrilled to death to get a win on Monday Night. Since I’ve been a head coach this is the first time we have won on Monday Night. Lost earlier this year to East Lincoln (40-33), last year to (Huss) 24-20 and in 2007 (55-52).”

                Forestview is actually 3-4 when playing on Monday Nights. All three of those wins are on the road.

                “It will be a tough game.” Medlin said about his team’s upcoming game with East Gaston “We know what is at stake. This would be the team’s first ever outright conference title.”

                Forestview will host the Warriors Friday. East Gaston started the season off 0-3 but have won five of their last seven, including a 50-6 win over Stuart Cramer, Monday Night.

                “This is a tough one to lose.” said Huss first-year coach Jamar McCoy “We get that interception returned for a touchdown. If not called back, it’s a new ball game. Forestview is a pretty good team.  They have athletes and good sized linemen that you have to find Moe Neal.”

                Even though the Huskies have clinched the top seed in the 2A division of the conference, McKoy and his Huskies are not satisfied.

                “Ashbrook is still a major game for us. Our goal is to win that bell.”

                Huss will travel to take on the Green Wave Friday. Ashbrook won 54-14 over Lake Norman Charter.

Gaston and Lincoln Area Conference Week 11 Picks

Big South 3A/2A Conference Picks

 

North Gaston (3-6)(1-4) @ South Point (5-4)(4-1): North Gaston has had a rough year but are hoping to somehow get a playoff spot. But South Point will be too tough on this night. The Red Raiders are 1-4 at home, but they will likely take this one on their home finale.

My pick: South Point 42 – North Gaston 14

Forestview (7-2)(4-1) @ Hunter Huss (3-6)(3-2): Forestview showed last week that they can avoid upsets after a big win. But they must continue their focus as they travel to Hunter Huss. The Huskies haven’t had a memorable season but they are sneaky enough to upset any team that overlooks them. A win by Forestview will ensure them a share of the conference title.

My pick: Forestview 34 – Hunter Huss 20

Lake Norman Charter (3-6)(1-4) @ Ashbrook (4-5)(3-2): Ashbrook has lost two of their last three games. But don’t expect them to lose this one to the Knights tonight.

My pick: Ashbrook 45 – Lake Norman Charter 7

Stuart Cramer (1-8)(0-5) @ East Gaston (4-5)(3-2): East Gaston has had a turnaround season after starting 0-3. They have won four of their last six games and a win over Stuart Cramer will make it five out of the last seven. Cramer gave Huss a ball game last week, but will likely take another one on the chin this week.

My pick: East Gaston 45 – Stuart Cramer 14

Southern District 7 2A Picks

 

West Lincoln (4-5)(2-3) @ Bandys (6-3)(3-2): The Rebels took a pounding at home last week against Maiden. Will this game at Bandys be just as lopsided? Probably not, but the Trojans should still take this one easily.

My pick: Bandys 48 – West Lincoln 14

Newton-Conover (6-2-1)(3-2) @ Bunker Hill (0-9)(0-5): It’s been a tough two weeks for the Newton-Conover Red Devils as they were handed two lopsided losses to East Lincoln and Lincolnton. They should rebound against a winless Bunker Hill team

My pick: Newton-Conover 48 – Bunker Hill 21

East Lincoln (9-0)(5-0) @ Maiden (5-4)(2-3): Maiden got back on track last week with a 55-7 beating of West Lincoln. However, that’s only two wins in six games for the Blue Devils. Not good news facing unbeaten East Lincoln. The Mustangs have not been challenged by any of their conference foes yet.

My pick: East Lincoln 34 – Maiden 14

West Caldwell (3-6)(1-4) @ Lincolnton (7-2)(4-1): Lincolnton has been on a roll since their 49-27 loss to East Lincoln. Their 51-8 win last week over Newton-Conover just proves how dangerous the Wolves really are.

My pick: Lincolnton 45 – West Caldwell 7

Southern Piedmont 1A Picks

 

Highland Tech (0-9)(0-3) @ Bessemer City (7-2)(3-0): A win over Highland Tech tonight can secure a share of the conference title for the Yellow Jackets given everyone else has at least one loss. Look for them to do just that tonight.

My pick: Bessemer City 51 – Highland Tech 8

Cherryville (3-6)(2-1) @ Community School of Davidson (4-5)(1-2): Cherryville is hopeful to have the same turnaround they had last year where they struggled early on and then won a share of the conference title. Their match-up with C.S. Davidson should be a good game.

My pick: Cherryville 27 – C.S. Davidson 21

Thomas Jefferson Classical (6-3)(2-1) @ Pine Lake Prep (5-3)(1-2): Pine Lake Prep started the season strong, but have stumbled down the stretch. Thomas Jefferson is looking to rebound from their loss to Bessemer City last week.

My pick: Thomas Jefferson 28 – Pine Lake Prep 20

Other

Statesville (5-4)(2-3) @ North Lincoln (5-4)(2-3): Their records say it all. These two teams look evenly matched on paper. But this game is not played on paper. With five wins already, it’s all about playoff seeding with these two teams. This should be fun for the fans to watch.

My pick: Statesville 35 – North Lincoln 31

Forestview overcomes sloppy start, rolls rival Ashbrook

               No 2009 repeat here folks. But it sure looked like one in the works in the first half. It’s not that Forestview couldn’t move the ball but they just simply could not finish drives. Ashbrook, on the other hand, could only muster two first half field goals by kicker Matt Cloyd (24 and 35). Coming off another Forestview turnover early in the second half due to a badly timed snap, Cloyd kicked another 24 yarder.

                But the Jaguars would soon find the end-zone. Moe Neal got the Jaguars on the board with a four-yard touchdown run. Trey Heavner’s kick cut the score to 9-7. Then the defense got in on the fun too. Ashbrook fumbled on the ensuing drive near midfield. Trell McCaskill picked up the ball and ran 48 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed however making the score 13-9.

                The Green Wave stormed back with a Jeff Glenn screen pass Z’Andre Givens which Givens took 58 yards for a touchdown. Cloyd’s extra point gave Ashbrook a 16-13 lead. But the party was just starting for Forestview.

                Faced with a big decision on fourth-and-one from their own 32-yard line, the Jaguars went for it and it paid off as Neal tore through the defense for a 68-yard touchdown run. We all know Neal can run and catch. But on the next drive he made a play with his arm, as hit Isaiah Sanders for a 54-yard half-back pass touchdown. Heavner remained perfect on extra points as the Jaguars held a 27-16 lead.

                Montavis Rogers got in on the fun with a touchdown run from the ten-yard line. Forestview extends their lead to 34-16. But Ashbrook still had some fight left in them. Kristien Bell’s two-yard touchdown run cut Forestview’s lead to 34-22. The two point conversion try failed, however.

                The Green Wave did recover the on-side kick. But could not get anything on the drive. Jeff Glenn was sacked by Nathan Whitaker on third down and an illegal forward pass on fourth down ended their comeback hopes. A three-yard run by Rogers and a 70-yard interception return by McCaskill put the exclamation point on the game.

                Moe Neal finished the game with 241 yards rushing and two touchdowns, along with 27 yards receiving and the 54-yard touchdown pass. Jeff Glenn led Ashbrook with 192 yards passing and a touchdown for Ashbrook.  

                “We’re disappointed. I thought we played a good game defensively the first half and there was a gap in the second half where we lost it.” said Ashbrook head coach Greg Hill “It will be a disappointing weekend for our kids.”

                “You can’t go down there and not get points. Not against a good team like Forestview.” Hill said about taking field-goals early on “We’ve been in situations (this year) where we drove all the way down there and got nothing. We just got to finish strong. We got to get ready for a playoff run.”

                “There were a lot big plays and (the fumble return) was one of them. It gave us the lead.” said Forestview head coach Chris Medlin “Give (Ashbrook) credit, they have a good defense. They have a good team. Against a good athletic team, you have to find ways to put them away early.”

                “We just got to finish strong. We have a lot we can get better at. We’ve got to focus on every week.”

                Forestview (7-2)(5-0) will travel to Hunter Huss (3-6)(3-2) next week. A win at Hunter Huss assures them a share of the conference title. If the Jaguars win out, it will be their first conference title outright. Ashbrook (4-5)(3-2) will be back home against Lake Norman Charter (2-6)(1-4).