Over the last few seasons, when I've commented, I've been a Charlotte homie. I came from an area of Maryland, where football wasn't all that strong. My kids' teams lost mostly year after year. In the playoffs, it was the same old story. Then I moved to Charlotte and saw all these very good teams in Charlotte and how they were winning championships. My pendulum swung wayyy over to the other side and I had much zeal for the Charlotte teams without sufficient knowledge.
This year, my intent is to be a bit more balanced. With that being said, I underestimated East Forsyth in both 2012 and last season. Maybe the Creek fans knew they'd come back. I had my doubts. I thought the championship run had ended with about 1:30 or so to go.
East Forsyth had done in 2012 and last season, what Mallard Creek had done before winning the big one. They froze up. They froze on the road and froze at home. With that being said, I'm not going to be a EF basher. They have a good program that will only get better.
Regardless of what Creek fans say on here and regardless of the strategy EF may or may not have used, the fact of the matter is they had Mallard Creek in their hip pocket last season. For a second they took their hand out of their pocket and the Creek jumped out.
My own observation is, EF isn't a major power just yet. They don't have the wins and the championship appearances for that just yet. But they aren't also rans who got lucky a couple of years either.
I would consider them a solid program who are perennial state contenders. With a few upgrades, they're going to bring home a trophy. It was right there last season for the taking. But the football gods said not yet. But their time will come.