Week 3 Power Poll/Picks

Slasher Killer

All-Conference
Sep 23, 2010
4,164
1,465
0
1.Mount Airy

Bears had a solid comeback last week and relied on their powerful O. Defense still needs time; they will face a solid challenge this week from Elkin who has their best line since the start of the decade. Will challenge MA’s defense and lineplay. MA will have speed edge and should pass it around aplenty.



2.
East Surry

Another solid night for the Pilot Cards. East finished 1A stretch of their non con schedule with no real challenge. Will face 4 2A+ schools the next 4 games; will get battle tested more than the first two games.



3.
West Stokes

As expected West’s O is looking solid but defense needs work. Gave up way too many big play passes last week. This week West will face another solid challenge in Starmount who played West very hard last year.



4.
Elkin

The Elks have their most physical squad in 7 years and are feeling feisty. However their D has a ways to go before they can get to the 00’s era defense. Despite the score last week NS passed it at will on Elkin’s D in the first half and I expect MA to strive for that as well. However it could be another close matchup for MA if the Bears aren’t prepared.





5.
North Surry

After a wacky opening win over a much improved North Forsyth squad the ‘Hounds had another wacky game in week 2. North showed their youth in some crucial moments last week in the 2nd half which harmed their chances however the ‘Hounds have shown seeds of promise down the line for WPAC play. The ‘Hounds will face 3 of the best 1A teams in the west before conference play starts but it will make them battle tested and more experienced in the long run. Don’t count North out just yet..



6.
Wilkes Central

The Eagles were walloped by one of the 3A west’s best squads last week in Alexander Central very convincingly. This was to be expected as Turner put this game on the schedule for that reason however the Eagles are still 0-2 after that NI upset and badly need some momentum before conference starts. WC should get that vs. Surry Central this week; a very young squad who’s struggling to produce. However this is a very wacky rivalry that has had some odd moments over the years so expect anything in Dobson Friday. Like NS don’t count the Eagles out just yet.



7.
South Stokes

The Sauras let a statement win fall thru their fingers rather epically last week in Hays in a game they should have won quite easily. NW pulled a Bishop and showed South’s faults rather convincingly as the Saura D fell apart rather epically vs. NW’s pass. Things won’t get any easier for the Saura’s this week as they head to Randolph county and play a hard fighting Trinity squad who came off a tough one vs. Bishop last week. Last year this game went to OT as South had to fight for a much needed W. May very well be this way again; South needs a W quite badly.



8.
Ashe County

Last week was a disappointment in Husky country as the Pioneers shut the Huskies down and they couldn’t do much of anything. However this is not the end of the Jefferson boys season as they have 2 more games on the murder’s row streak to go and they face the buzzsaw known as Hibriten. Ashe’s goal here should be to fight for respect and avoid the shutout in Caldwell county. Next week’s game meanwhile looks very winnable for the Huskies as West Caldwell is very down and out right now.



9.
Starmount


10.
North Wilkes

The Vikings managed to not choke for once which is a huge thing for them as they have been known for it a lot in Chipman’s run. They had a solid 2nd half showing and son of Chipman had a coming out party. This week the Vikes are off before going to Danbury next week for what they expect is an easy W vs. North Stokes. Game 4 should be another thriller for the Vikes as they face a very stubborn Forbush squad.



11.
East Wilkes


East slayed the dragons on their back last week and owned Surry Central all over the field. The win gave Wilmoth his first W and calmed a lot of the Ronda folks down. However things won’t get much easier for the Ronda Cards as they head to East Bend to face the ‘Bush who has let two wins slip away from them. This game has traditionally been one that East was humilated in for most of the decade how the Cards have turned it around the last few years. This game will show a ton for what EW has in physicality.



12.
West Wilkes

13.
Forbush

Despite being so young the ‘Bush has played hard in two thriller contests to open the season. Hard to say how to judge this squad; on one hand they overperformed quite a bit vs. a more experienced WW squad and played rival NI as hard as I expected but it’s hard to say if it’s a fluke or a sign of potential talent in East Bend. This week’s matchup vs. EW will show a lot of what the Falcons will offer come conference time. The next 3 games for the Bush will be physical challenges that the Bush boys have to be ready for because they all resemble teams that they will face in WPAC time.



14.
Walkertown

The Wolfpack much like the Hays boys managed to pull victory out of the jaws of defeat as WSP blew an 18 point lead in the 4th quarter and WT ended it’s 2 year winless streak with a comeback much like in 2016. However there is much to worry about in Walkertown as the ‘Pack gave up 32 points and 406 yards of offense to the Phoenix which is never a good sign. That defense still needs a lot of work however the run game for the ‘Pack is very stout even if the passing game is non existent. Parkland is coming calling and they are looking for another easy win.




15. Bishop McGuiness


For the 2nd week in a row the Villains showed that they are a very stubborn squad and played Trinity to an 8 point game. This shows the Bishop boys are very hard fighters and want to play everyone hard. It might be a fun season in Kernersville and they have a great shot at getting a W this week as they host Alleghany this week at home.




16. WS Prep

The Phoenix have got to be disgusted with their performance in the 4th quarter last week. They let a program defining upset slip thru their hands very late; not many of them come often so the Prepsters need to make the most of those chances. This week it doesn’t get much easier as the face the saw of the RJR offense behind it’s very solid senior QB who destroyed Atkins last week like it was 2nd nature. Game 4 offers the Phoenix a chance at a solid win vs. a very young Christ the King squad.



17. Alleghany


18.Atkins

The Camels were humiliated again and perhaps even worse than the opener last week as RJR ran the ball with ease on them. The Demons couldn’t stop scoring on the Camels even without their starting QB (RJR only had 10 yards passing with the backup.) The Camels are struggling bad on both sides of the ball and have had to move some of their more talented JV kids up to fill holes. The Camels are very young and will be taking some lumps this year. This week won’t get any easier for them as a jamming Reagan squad hosts Atkins. Last year Atkins stirred up trouble in pre game vs. the Raiders and regretted it quite early as Reagan let them remember it. Will the Raiders have that chip on their backs again?



19. Carver

The Jackets were decimated with a resounding thud last week as Oak Grove came ready to play with a surprise onside kick and the Jackets could never recover. OG scored 2 TD’s in the first 4 minutes and put them away in the 2nd quarter. Carver just couldn’t slow down the momentum and struggled on defense quite badly. However their offense had some production and had 2 TD’s which is a + for them. However this game was a solid disappointment for Carver as many expected it to be their best chance at a non conference win. Things might not be much easier as they go to Kernersville to play a younger Glenn squad this week. Glenn’s having it’s struggles as well and badly needs a boost. This one will either be close or a win for the Bobcats. Games 4 and 5 look much more challenging for the Jackets.




20. Surry Central
21.North Stokes
 

Slasher Killer

All-Conference
Sep 23, 2010
4,164
1,465
0
Elkin at MA


MA played a much more solid offensive game but their D had a struggle vs. West Stokes. Elkin meanwhile exploited an awful second half to a win over NS. This week the Elks return to the Northern part of Surry county again and face another solid passing offense. The Elks have a solid run defense however against the pass on D is Elkin’s weakpoint. North passed for over 200 on it last week so I expect the Bears to do the same. Elkin’s best bet is to ball control and win on the line and I think they will play tough there but I don’t see them stopping Greene.



Wilkes Central at Surry Central

A tale of both Central squads who have had some smashing losses; this has always been a solid series since game 1. This year the WC Eagles head north to Dobson as SC is in their home opener. The Wilkes boys are way more athletic than the Dobson boys; however this game will come down to the line and WC’s defense. Both have enough playmakers on it to do solid things SC needs to focus on ball control but it won’t be enough to stop WC.



Starmount at West Stokes

This game was surprisingly close last year as Starmount came ready to prove theirselves and West had to rely on a late TD to win. I don’t expect much difference here; West just has a few more athletes than the Rams have. Lineplay will be about even; Starmount has some big boys and will give the Wildcats fits in the trenches. It’ll come down to if the Rams can stop the West offense; after last week the Rams need a boost. This week may be it without a win.



South Stokes at Trinity

Last year this one went to OT as South fought for it’s life in Sauratown to give Holmes his first Win and save the season for South who had 2 lopsided losses. This year it’s the same situation for South minus the lopsided part; they badly need a win for a boost. Trinity is much better than in previous years however they had an easy win over South Davidson in the opener but struggled to put away Bishop last week. They have a solid reason to prove theirselves vs. South this week. In that way I just can’t pick a winner here; see it being another barn burner.



West Wilkes at North Stokes

After a very disapointing opening win for the Blackhawks the west boys took the week off to work on the basics and prep them for this long trip to Danbury to face a reeling North Stokes squad. The Danbury boys have struggled on D the past two weeks and badly need a boost; West meanwhile needs an offensive showing and to put the game early. I see West having the better chance to do that due to their size and age advantage. However West runs the Wing and no one knows it better than Sessoms.. Might have some tricks up his sleeve.



East Wilkes at Forbush

The Cards of Ronda face their first challenge this week as they head to East Bend to face the ‘Bush. This game is huge for the Ronda boys for two reasons: one it’s their endowment game which they could use to possibly help for the playoffs and second it’s a chance to see if they can handle physicality as the Falcons will bring the thud quite often to them. East has a little more experience than Forbush does as well as a few more playmakers. However the Cards need some testing on D to see if they can handle the physicality some conference teams like Starmount and Elkin will bring down the line. See this either being a runaway or a close one. This will also test Forbush as they have had some solid performances but it’s hard to say if it’s due to their play or the other teams faults. Will see some ?’s answered in this game.



Alleghany at Bishop

Despite an 0-2 start the Villains have had a solid start to the year. The Kernersville boys have been very physical from the start and haven’t started a bit slow unlike in 2017. Both teams in weeks 1 and 2 have struggled to put these boys away and that shows a lot on the plus side for the Villains. Alleghany meanwhile dropped a rivalry game last week and need a boost. This might be a very competitive game; but I’m much more impressed with Bishop’s fighting nature so far. Might be time for them to show out.



Ashe at Hibriten

Despite the lopsided loss last week the Huskies have a lot to be up for; they have 1 win more than last year at this point and their D looks much better (again gave up less to Watauga than the past couple of years.) This stretch is designed to make the Huskies much tougher for conference play; nothing more or less. This week they face the Hibriten buzzsaw; expect a solid win for the Panthers here. However I see Ashe scoring here; they need a pick up and playing the Panthers hard is a good thing.


Next week the Huskies have a serious shot to get another W as a down and out West Caldwell squad will be up on the mountain.






Atkins at Reagan

Things are hard for the Camels right now; their offense is very, very young and the whole team is in transition. Last week was quite humiliating for them as RJR had their way with their defense; crazy part all of those 61 points came on the ground; RJR rarely passed it.. Yeah. Atkins has a lot of work ahead of them and this week won’t get much easier as they line up against long time rivals Reagan. Last year’s game was quite rough as these two teams got into it before the ball game and Reagan dropped the hammer. Will the remember that this year?



Carver at Glenn

The Jackets fell apart very early last week as they let an onside kick mess with their heads and Oak Grove went full blast on their defense for a lopsided and historical win. Carver’s offense did manage to score but it was too little, too late. The #’s game is very harmful to the Jackets right now and OG took full advantage of that. It won’t get any easier for the Jackets this week as they go to Kernersville to play the Bobcats. Glenn’s had a rough start to the year but they have played two really good squads in Ledford and Parkland and haven’t had as much of a hard time as Carver had (scored 38 points.) This could be the game the Bobcats use to break their funk and I see it happening. #’s will be big here as Carver has a ton of double dippers on the field. Next week it will be even worse as they have East Forsyth.



Walkertown at Parkland

The Wolfpack broke their losing streak last week in an epic fashion as they beat WSP. However it was far from a beautiful or even solid performance as they had to come back from a 3 TD deficit late to put it away. WT’s defense is still a weakpoint and their run game is their strong point; they gotta get better on defense and find a passing game to be much better. Parkland meanwhile is having a better season than last year as they are undefeated and putting up solid #’s something has to give here. This rivalry has always been really tough; the 2016 game was one of the most chippy this area has seen in a while. It wasn’t in 2017 but they gotta be careful this year to prevent that. Hopefully the play will be all that matters here..