Week 2 Picks:
Mount Airy at West Stokes
The Bears had a out of character opener last week in the muggy weather while West started off slow then took off. Both performances had little to convince everyone of what to expect. This game will show more for both sides. West’s D will be what makes or breaks the game here. West has the offense to win but can their young D rise up enough to slow down MA’s offense enough to get the W? It will be very hard for the ‘Cats as Greene and Smith are loads to stop. If the Bears can overcome the sluginess they should score a lot of points but so can West, It may come down to who has it last. In that way I see MA pulling it out.
East Surry at Starmount
The Pilot boys had a easy opener while the Rams showed up and played a very inspired game that proved a ton of us wrong including muah. This week is huge for both teams: Can East come as hyped up as last week but with a level head, and can the Rams maintain the hard play and improve every week instead of digressing? This game will show a ton for both teams. Looking at talent East is much better but any team can win when they play hard and fight for the W. East shouldn’t overlook the Rams.
East Wilkes at Surry Central
Both of these squads had horrendous openers to say the least. East had a little more to smile about as they scored; but Central can brag they held Elkin in check for a half and for a lower score despite the shutout. Both these teams are desperate for some momentum and a chance to turn it all around. East has a little more incentive to play harder as Wilmoth returns home as an HC and Wilmoth would love to get his first win there. Central meanwhile always plays hard in Dobson and it takes a lot to win there. In the end I see East going over here; they have more talent than Central does plus Wilmoth might help inspire them. Central meanwhile needs confidence in themselves to show they can play. This one might help; but East seems more primed here.
South Stokes at North Wilkes
South had a disappointing opener last week in a game they shoulda performed better in while NW won but didn’t have that solid win they coulda had. NW’s defense struggled to put Bishop away; they even changed their offense and it didn’t much good. This game ultimately showed NW’s flaws on defense and they have to address them the next few weeks. However this game may be the best way to do so as South Stokes takes the long haul to Hays. South’s primed for a solid year and a win here would give the Sauras some serious momentum heading into a tough slate while NW pulling off a win would help them being undefeated when conference starts. South has more of a reason to play hard as they let a win slip away from them last year as they were younger and not there yet in terms of closing out games. This may be their best chance to pass this hurdle.
North Stokes at
North Moore
I was quite disappointed the game vs. Alleghany was so lopsided last week. I figured N Stokes woulda had some more in the tank than that. Looking at the film N Stokes looked much better than this game from last year. Their line play is more physical, their depth is up by several kids, they played hard to the ball, but it seems they made crucial mistakes they shouldn’t have made. A lot of that is due to youth that they will get over. This week they have a long haul to Moore county to overcome. Last year’s game was quite close as the Vikings held the Mustangs close for a half before letting them take off in the 2nd half. Don’t see the Mustangs being so slow this year but you never know in this game..
Wilkes Central at
Alexander Central
Needless to say last week in the words of Tom Brokaw from Election Night 2000: “The Eagles not just had egg in their faces they had omelets.” North Iredell came in ready to go and seemed to exploit WC’s faults quite easily. WC didn’t lay down however but it seems the youth movement in WC is going thru some challenges at the moment. The next two games won’t be much easier as they face 2 of the best 3A/4A teams in the western part of the state. Al Central is loaded and beat Burns rather easy last week; they view the next three games as 3 of their easier games this year. WC”s best bet is to compete and find some momentum in trying to prevent a lopsided loss like they did last year.
Ashe County at
Watauga
In what is one of the area’s more subtly solid rivalries the Pioneers have usually had the Huskies dog collar however Ashe always finds a way to play the Boone boys hard. This year the Huskies head to Boone with some momentum on their side as they had one of their easiest openers in a long time as they demolished a down and out Avey squad and found true balance on offense while almost getting a shutout. This week will be much more of a challenge as Watauga is pretty loaded and has Ashe’s number in JV play as of late. With App State’s son in the backfield the Pioneers will provide a solid challenge to WC and Ashe. Ashe’s main goal here should be to compete and like Wilkes Central try their hardest to shut Watauga down.
Bishop at
Trinity
Despite their loss lost week the Villains had as good of an opener they coulda hoped for except the win. They made NW suffer to put them away and showed a very hard will. This is exactly what Bishop needs to make an upwards move as last year they bent very easy to NW. This shows spiritual improvement in the program. However this week will prove to be a solid challenge for Bishop as they head south to play a solid Trinity team who had a solid JV squad last year and finished .500 last year. Bishop will have quite a challenge on their hands but another solid performance here is what they need. Trinity’s a little too talented but Bishop can have their +’s which is what they need. They need to spiritually feel better as it will make them a tougher team and come toghether.
Atkins at
RJR
Last week the Camels fumbled the ball away on the first play and never really mentally recovered as Central Davidson came ready to play and busted their butts for the win. Atkins ultimately showed their youth in many spots and made mistakes all night to hurt theirselves. This was a rather dramatic opener for the Camels but I can’t say I’m surprised as Atkins lost a ton of talent but bring up some talented kids but they are very, very young. They will need some time to gel; however this week won’t be easy as they face a very talented RJR squad who should be quite willing to make up for it’s mistakes last week. Atkins’s hope here is to not let RJR have another offensive show like last year while putting points up. Easier said than done.
WS Prep at
Walkertown
In what is a return of one of Forsyth’s vergening rivalries this game could potentially be a close one. In 2016 Walkertown barely held WSP off in the late stages to pull it out. I see it again being another one of those type games. Walkertown has it’s best chance to end their winless streak in a good while as Prep comes in off a W over Commonwealth. However Prep won’t be no pushover they have several seniors and 2 solid QB’s. Walkertown meanwhile has a solid RB in Cherry who had a solid game vs. Lexington last week. That is ultimately where the game will come down to: Can Walkertown produce enough points or will Prep’s D come thru finally? A win for Pep meanwhile can boost their rep significantly. It can go either way here but I’m picking Walkertown most due to Cherry at RB.
Carver at
Oak Grove
This has been the hardest game to pick for so many reasons. OG is in their home varsity opener and have a great shot on paper to win vs. a down and out Carver squad. However that is not 100% the case as the Jackets have quite a case to be the rain on the Grizzlies parade. Carver will be very fast to the OG boys and have some size to them; however has an important lead in the most needed category: depth. The Grizzlies have tons of kids available to play while Carver barely has 20; if the game is very long it could kill Carver but if it’s quick then Carver will stay in it. OG’s D is what gonna determine the game. If they get consistent stops over Carver they can pull it out but if OG can’t stop the pass then they are in trouble. I see OG with the homebase and importance on them will be very fired up and it could be tough for Carver to handle.
