No power poll this week; no use to really do it now because teams will be cut down from now on. I will do a wrap up and some special things here before too long.
As for now I'm just gonna do game picks every week for the rest of the season (well minus my team of course,):
Starmount at East Surry
The area’s lone rematch of this round offers quite a doozy of a matchup. East won the first contest despite a meh performance. East came alive late to put it away vs. an inspired performance from Starmount (which showed that they were on the rise.) This time both teams know what to expect; I expect a slugfest here.
East has more of a spark on offense with Gosnell at QB but is 100% healthy? With him taking snaps East has a solid offense with Ray. Ray’s playing to extend his career now; if he loses this is it. Starmount meanwhile has nothing to lose and everything to gain as they weren’t expected to be here.
This is the way every game of this series goes. You can throw conventional logic out the window; both teams play their hearts out. Neither has the playoff jinx like Starmount or Mount Airy do. I expect this to be a good one; I cannot pick it though. Winner plays a down and out East Wilkes squad next week.
Hayesville at Elkin
The Elks are on a roll as they have won 3 in a row to end out the conference slate. Wood changed his game plan on offense the past few weeks and it’s been paying off epically.
As a result of this streak they host a down Hayesville squad which a generation ago played Elkin in the 2002 1A Western final. However this isn’t the same Neil Setzer esque Hayesville squad. Hayesville barely made it in this week; they beat Rosman in a thriller which made it possible for them to come down the mountain in a long trip. However it’s gonna be a long ride up; Elkin is just too athletic for these boys.
CSD at South Stokes
The Sauras topsy turvy season at least offers a chance at redemption tonight as they host 2015 western runners up Community School of Davidson in Sauratown tonight in what should be a chilly yet high flying affair. CSD’s been competitive all season this year unlike in 2016 (well besides thrashings from North Surry, Mt Island Charter, Asheville school, and Bessemer City,) and have won some thriller’s. They know how to win; South doesn’t. CSD offers a great test for South as QB Luke Watts rolls to the Cove. Watts is a total package for CSD as he can run it as well as throw it. I just don’t see South stopping him.
We did it very well; we cut their run game off and forced them to pass. Despite a lot of throwing yards they never passed for a TD. South’s defense just isn’t very good vs. the pass. We passed it down their throat at our 7 on 7, Mount Airy and Bishop did as well. I don't expect that to change here.
West Stokes at Bunn
It’s gonna be a battle of the wing T’s in Franklin county tonight as West Stokes is in the east side of the 2AA bracket for the first time in 9 years as West heads to Bunn. Bunn I don’t know much about besides their record and who their HC is (David Weathersby; who did a fantastic job at Bartlett Yancy.) I expect this to be a good challenge for the Wildcats who are trying to get over their mediocre outing from last week. Bunn’s an established powerhouse while West is too; I expect this to be a hard fought matchup. Bunn’s defense looks good so I’ll give them the edge there.
Pisgah at Wilkes Central
North Wilkes at Whiteville
The Vikings of Hays make the long treck to the powerhouse known as Whiteville. The Wolfpack are very athletic and well coached; much like NW minus the athletic part. I see Whiteville ultimately being too fast and stout for NW too handle. NW has it’s flaws; I seen them well when we scrimmaged them; Whiteville should feast on them quite often tonight.
Alleghany at Union Academy
The Trojans are playing for pride at this point as their depth issues are hitting a fever pitch as they make the long haul to Union County to face Union Academy. The Cardinals are a dependable team in the playoffs every year as they usually make the 2nd round at least every year. I expect the same to continue here. Alleghany has a lot to play for though; a admirable performance will boost their spirits for 2018.
As for now I'm just gonna do game picks every week for the rest of the season (well minus my team of course,):
Starmount at East Surry
The area’s lone rematch of this round offers quite a doozy of a matchup. East won the first contest despite a meh performance. East came alive late to put it away vs. an inspired performance from Starmount (which showed that they were on the rise.) This time both teams know what to expect; I expect a slugfest here.
East has more of a spark on offense with Gosnell at QB but is 100% healthy? With him taking snaps East has a solid offense with Ray. Ray’s playing to extend his career now; if he loses this is it. Starmount meanwhile has nothing to lose and everything to gain as they weren’t expected to be here.
This is the way every game of this series goes. You can throw conventional logic out the window; both teams play their hearts out. Neither has the playoff jinx like Starmount or Mount Airy do. I expect this to be a good one; I cannot pick it though. Winner plays a down and out East Wilkes squad next week.
Hayesville at Elkin
The Elks are on a roll as they have won 3 in a row to end out the conference slate. Wood changed his game plan on offense the past few weeks and it’s been paying off epically.
As a result of this streak they host a down Hayesville squad which a generation ago played Elkin in the 2002 1A Western final. However this isn’t the same Neil Setzer esque Hayesville squad. Hayesville barely made it in this week; they beat Rosman in a thriller which made it possible for them to come down the mountain in a long trip. However it’s gonna be a long ride up; Elkin is just too athletic for these boys.
CSD at South Stokes
The Sauras topsy turvy season at least offers a chance at redemption tonight as they host 2015 western runners up Community School of Davidson in Sauratown tonight in what should be a chilly yet high flying affair. CSD’s been competitive all season this year unlike in 2016 (well besides thrashings from North Surry, Mt Island Charter, Asheville school, and Bessemer City,) and have won some thriller’s. They know how to win; South doesn’t. CSD offers a great test for South as QB Luke Watts rolls to the Cove. Watts is a total package for CSD as he can run it as well as throw it. I just don’t see South stopping him.
We did it very well; we cut their run game off and forced them to pass. Despite a lot of throwing yards they never passed for a TD. South’s defense just isn’t very good vs. the pass. We passed it down their throat at our 7 on 7, Mount Airy and Bishop did as well. I don't expect that to change here.
West Stokes at Bunn
It’s gonna be a battle of the wing T’s in Franklin county tonight as West Stokes is in the east side of the 2AA bracket for the first time in 9 years as West heads to Bunn. Bunn I don’t know much about besides their record and who their HC is (David Weathersby; who did a fantastic job at Bartlett Yancy.) I expect this to be a good challenge for the Wildcats who are trying to get over their mediocre outing from last week. Bunn’s an established powerhouse while West is too; I expect this to be a hard fought matchup. Bunn’s defense looks good so I’ll give them the edge there.
Pisgah at Wilkes Central
North Wilkes at Whiteville
The Vikings of Hays make the long treck to the powerhouse known as Whiteville. The Wolfpack are very athletic and well coached; much like NW minus the athletic part. I see Whiteville ultimately being too fast and stout for NW too handle. NW has it’s flaws; I seen them well when we scrimmaged them; Whiteville should feast on them quite often tonight.
Alleghany at Union Academy
The Trojans are playing for pride at this point as their depth issues are hitting a fever pitch as they make the long haul to Union County to face Union Academy. The Cardinals are a dependable team in the playoffs every year as they usually make the 2nd round at least every year. I expect the same to continue here. Alleghany has a lot to play for though; a admirable performance will boost their spirits for 2018.