1.Mount Airy +/-
The Granite Bears’s offense finally came alive last week as Elkin had no answers for them across the board. This week the Bears should expect somewhat more of a challenge as longtime past rival Eden Morehead returns to Mount Airy for the first time since the 1970’s. These two had a solid and at times heated rivalry in the olden days so there could be some sparks there to maybe make it close. This is a definite trap game for the Bears before the big gate game week 5 vs. North Surry.
2.East Wilkes +/-
The Cards won with ease over Forbush in a game many expected to be potentially close; even with Johnson in the lineup East woulda had an awesome night anyways. Their offense is too powerful for a lot of teams to handle right now. This week’s matchup with Walkertown’s ultimately gonna be the true checkmark of the where the Cards are at. They both wanna prove theirselves against athletic teams to prove something to WC and playoff teams but they also want revenge for the shellacking they had last year in the first round by Walkertown. I expect it to either be a close one the entire time or East will run away with it. Could be closer than many expect but who really knows.
3.Wilkes Central +/-
The Eagles had a rather mediocre showing on Labor Day vs. Surry Central. Hard to say if it’s a sign of things to come or just a case of WC having the Labor Day blues. The 2nd half showed what the Eagles are comfortable doing but it was a half too late. If they want to make noise later on they got to be able to stay on the gas and put games away early like they can do. Boles and the Freshman are too good to be halfway players. This week they got their last test in 3A Watauga who’s pretty solid. It’ll be a great test for Central vs. Mountain boys which was who got them in the playoffs last year.
4.North Surry +/-
The ‘Hounds finally got a Surry County statement win the program’s been needing since the start of the WPAC. East Surry had proved to be a consistent thorn in the ‘Hounds leg since 2013; the last 2 games were heartbreakers for North especially 2015. It was a well celebrated win for the North community; however the Greyhounds can’t rest on their laurels as they have a home game vs. a hard to tell CSD squad. CSD’s 1-1 but have played competition on their level; this will be CSD’s biggest test so far as North is the biggest ADM school they have faced as of game 3. North’s got to be ready for anything this week; MA’s another week ahead and should be out of focus for now.
5.West Stokes +/-
Last week’s matchup vs. Starmount proved to be close like I figured it would; really close. West scored with less than a minute left to take the lead for good vs. a hungry for a statement Rams squad. After a loss vs. a solid rival in MA West expected a better performance but I’m sure a win boosted their spirits. However time will tell if this close game is something to expect or not. This week will tell as an athletic yet in transition McMichael squad hosts West in what will re-ignite their series. McMichael will be speedy but I think West could have a good night if they play like they are capable.
6.East Surry -2
This start of the season is one the Cardinal faithful would like to forget. The Pilot Cards were expected to win the Cardinal battle but alas the Pilot birds faded in the 2nd half. Starmount proved tough until East put them away. The Greyhounds proved too stubborn and made another game out of it but North’s defense was too poised and made the most of it’s chances very late in the game. This week it won’t get any tougher for the Cards as Surry Central comes to town. Many would expect this game to be a solid win for the Cards but Central’s offense can be hard to stop with Pilacios in his game mode. It’ll be a test for both squads. East will need to play at their top of their game with Ray on the field while improving on D while Central needs to produce points and stop Ray. Could be a doozy.
7.North Wilkes -1
The Vikings are fresh off a bye week after a mediocre performance vs. South Stokes. Chipman indicated his disappointment and wanted to improve the passing game to take some predictability and heat off Grimes and the running backs. They have the best possible game to do that at home vs. North Stokes who are struggling to evolve into a Sessoms team. Expect another easy win for the Hays Vikings here. They will be challenged more next week as they play Forbush. It’ll be a test for their line and offense as Forbush tries to do similar to NW.
8.West Wilkes +/-
West did not have to struggle last week as North Stokes couldn’t compete with the Blackhawks. West was just too big and stout for the Vikings to handle. It could very much happen again this week as the Blackhawks heads to Kernersville to face a in transition Bishop McGuiness squad. West has one more tune up game with Bunker Hill before conference hits.
9.Starmount +/-
The Rams have had a not so hot start to the year but be sure to remember they have had a tough schedule on purpose and have looked much better despite that. Last week they came within a few seconds of pulling off an upset over West Stokes. West’s skill player edge and experience won out; but for Starmount to play that tough shows their potential for the season ahead. This week they go to East Bend hungry for a chance for revenge after losing the Unfi bowl for the first time in 10 years last year to Forbush. This is Starmount’s chance to shake off the monkey and prep well for conference play. It could be a good game in Falcon land this week.
10.Forbush -3
Forbush has been all over the place this season. They have been humiliated twice by the 2 Wilkes teams they have played so far yet beat North Iredell like it was easy in between. The Falcons are in search of consistency in a stretch ahead where they badly need it. They have a 3 game stretch coming up that will show what they got. Up first is their heated rival Starmount at home. Starmount’s very hungry for a W right now after a much improved start to the year and a close one last week. Forbush has lived their 2016 Unfi Bowl win up but time has come to defend it; it might not be so easy this time.
11.South Stokes +/-
South finally got a huge morale win as they had to brawl for it all in 2 OT’s vs. Trinity last week. The Sauras needed to learn how to win and fight for it and they finally did and have the monkey off their backs. This week they have an undefeated Alleghany squad at their house in what could be another thriller. Alleghany’s dominated the series in the latter years of Sessoms’s reign with the Trojans but this year could switch everything back to Sauratown. JV wise South’s dominated the series the last couple of years; could be a momentum switch coming. Expect another hard hitting game though regardless
12.Ashe County -2
Ashe is at the end of their murderer's row non conference schedule with a very athletic West Caldwell squad. Last week it was a rainy and ugly affair as Hibriten had a solid outing in the mess with Ashe getting shut out but this week it’s going to be a different beast entirely. Ashe is wanting to put points up while trying to prevent the Warriors from going crazy scoring; something has to give.
13.Alleghany +/-
14.Elkin -2
15.Surry Central +1
It’s hard to say if Central’s turned the corner or WC just had a bad day and needed a putting in their place at halftime. Regardless SC had a competitive half for the first time this season on Monday but it all went to the wayside once Wilkes Central woke up and got upset and motivated. Things won’t get any easier for the Golden Eagles as they have a motivated and hungry East Surry squad this week. It’ll be a battle of the star backs this week but can the Eagles stop Ray enough to make it a 2 year winning streak?
16.WS Prep -1
Prep took their lickings the last 2 weeks vs. two big Forsyth programs. However things may be in the Phoenix’s favor as they enter a more competitive portion of their schedule vs. 0-2 Word of God Christian out of the triangle. WOG’s had 2 dud outings so far vs. 2 Christian schools and they have a small roster; it could be Prep’s chance to break on thru and give Middleton his first win of his career. Prep badly needs a win before they enter conference play; this may be it. They also have Bartlett Yancy on the schedule as well coming up.
17.Walkertown
18.Carver
19.Bishop
20.North Stokes
The Granite Bears’s offense finally came alive last week as Elkin had no answers for them across the board. This week the Bears should expect somewhat more of a challenge as longtime past rival Eden Morehead returns to Mount Airy for the first time since the 1970’s. These two had a solid and at times heated rivalry in the olden days so there could be some sparks there to maybe make it close. This is a definite trap game for the Bears before the big gate game week 5 vs. North Surry.
2.East Wilkes +/-
The Cards won with ease over Forbush in a game many expected to be potentially close; even with Johnson in the lineup East woulda had an awesome night anyways. Their offense is too powerful for a lot of teams to handle right now. This week’s matchup with Walkertown’s ultimately gonna be the true checkmark of the where the Cards are at. They both wanna prove theirselves against athletic teams to prove something to WC and playoff teams but they also want revenge for the shellacking they had last year in the first round by Walkertown. I expect it to either be a close one the entire time or East will run away with it. Could be closer than many expect but who really knows.
3.Wilkes Central +/-
The Eagles had a rather mediocre showing on Labor Day vs. Surry Central. Hard to say if it’s a sign of things to come or just a case of WC having the Labor Day blues. The 2nd half showed what the Eagles are comfortable doing but it was a half too late. If they want to make noise later on they got to be able to stay on the gas and put games away early like they can do. Boles and the Freshman are too good to be halfway players. This week they got their last test in 3A Watauga who’s pretty solid. It’ll be a great test for Central vs. Mountain boys which was who got them in the playoffs last year.
4.North Surry +/-
The ‘Hounds finally got a Surry County statement win the program’s been needing since the start of the WPAC. East Surry had proved to be a consistent thorn in the ‘Hounds leg since 2013; the last 2 games were heartbreakers for North especially 2015. It was a well celebrated win for the North community; however the Greyhounds can’t rest on their laurels as they have a home game vs. a hard to tell CSD squad. CSD’s 1-1 but have played competition on their level; this will be CSD’s biggest test so far as North is the biggest ADM school they have faced as of game 3. North’s got to be ready for anything this week; MA’s another week ahead and should be out of focus for now.
5.West Stokes +/-
Last week’s matchup vs. Starmount proved to be close like I figured it would; really close. West scored with less than a minute left to take the lead for good vs. a hungry for a statement Rams squad. After a loss vs. a solid rival in MA West expected a better performance but I’m sure a win boosted their spirits. However time will tell if this close game is something to expect or not. This week will tell as an athletic yet in transition McMichael squad hosts West in what will re-ignite their series. McMichael will be speedy but I think West could have a good night if they play like they are capable.
6.East Surry -2
This start of the season is one the Cardinal faithful would like to forget. The Pilot Cards were expected to win the Cardinal battle but alas the Pilot birds faded in the 2nd half. Starmount proved tough until East put them away. The Greyhounds proved too stubborn and made another game out of it but North’s defense was too poised and made the most of it’s chances very late in the game. This week it won’t get any tougher for the Cards as Surry Central comes to town. Many would expect this game to be a solid win for the Cards but Central’s offense can be hard to stop with Pilacios in his game mode. It’ll be a test for both squads. East will need to play at their top of their game with Ray on the field while improving on D while Central needs to produce points and stop Ray. Could be a doozy.
7.North Wilkes -1
The Vikings are fresh off a bye week after a mediocre performance vs. South Stokes. Chipman indicated his disappointment and wanted to improve the passing game to take some predictability and heat off Grimes and the running backs. They have the best possible game to do that at home vs. North Stokes who are struggling to evolve into a Sessoms team. Expect another easy win for the Hays Vikings here. They will be challenged more next week as they play Forbush. It’ll be a test for their line and offense as Forbush tries to do similar to NW.
8.West Wilkes +/-
West did not have to struggle last week as North Stokes couldn’t compete with the Blackhawks. West was just too big and stout for the Vikings to handle. It could very much happen again this week as the Blackhawks heads to Kernersville to face a in transition Bishop McGuiness squad. West has one more tune up game with Bunker Hill before conference hits.
9.Starmount +/-
The Rams have had a not so hot start to the year but be sure to remember they have had a tough schedule on purpose and have looked much better despite that. Last week they came within a few seconds of pulling off an upset over West Stokes. West’s skill player edge and experience won out; but for Starmount to play that tough shows their potential for the season ahead. This week they go to East Bend hungry for a chance for revenge after losing the Unfi bowl for the first time in 10 years last year to Forbush. This is Starmount’s chance to shake off the monkey and prep well for conference play. It could be a good game in Falcon land this week.
10.Forbush -3
Forbush has been all over the place this season. They have been humiliated twice by the 2 Wilkes teams they have played so far yet beat North Iredell like it was easy in between. The Falcons are in search of consistency in a stretch ahead where they badly need it. They have a 3 game stretch coming up that will show what they got. Up first is their heated rival Starmount at home. Starmount’s very hungry for a W right now after a much improved start to the year and a close one last week. Forbush has lived their 2016 Unfi Bowl win up but time has come to defend it; it might not be so easy this time.
11.South Stokes +/-
South finally got a huge morale win as they had to brawl for it all in 2 OT’s vs. Trinity last week. The Sauras needed to learn how to win and fight for it and they finally did and have the monkey off their backs. This week they have an undefeated Alleghany squad at their house in what could be another thriller. Alleghany’s dominated the series in the latter years of Sessoms’s reign with the Trojans but this year could switch everything back to Sauratown. JV wise South’s dominated the series the last couple of years; could be a momentum switch coming. Expect another hard hitting game though regardless
12.Ashe County -2
Ashe is at the end of their murderer's row non conference schedule with a very athletic West Caldwell squad. Last week it was a rainy and ugly affair as Hibriten had a solid outing in the mess with Ashe getting shut out but this week it’s going to be a different beast entirely. Ashe is wanting to put points up while trying to prevent the Warriors from going crazy scoring; something has to give.
13.Alleghany +/-
14.Elkin -2
15.Surry Central +1
It’s hard to say if Central’s turned the corner or WC just had a bad day and needed a putting in their place at halftime. Regardless SC had a competitive half for the first time this season on Monday but it all went to the wayside once Wilkes Central woke up and got upset and motivated. Things won’t get any easier for the Golden Eagles as they have a motivated and hungry East Surry squad this week. It’ll be a battle of the star backs this week but can the Eagles stop Ray enough to make it a 2 year winning streak?
16.WS Prep -1
Prep took their lickings the last 2 weeks vs. two big Forsyth programs. However things may be in the Phoenix’s favor as they enter a more competitive portion of their schedule vs. 0-2 Word of God Christian out of the triangle. WOG’s had 2 dud outings so far vs. 2 Christian schools and they have a small roster; it could be Prep’s chance to break on thru and give Middleton his first win of his career. Prep badly needs a win before they enter conference play; this may be it. They also have Bartlett Yancy on the schedule as well coming up.
17.Walkertown
18.Carver
19.Bishop
20.North Stokes
I just wish I could go back to fix the dramas that ruined the next 2 years.