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Game Preview: (4-0) Walkertown at (2-2) Reidsville

IMG_3283by: Trey Scott09/18/25TreyScott_NC
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Walkertown at Reidsville — Week 5 Preview

Kick: Thu., Sept. 19 • 7:00 p.m. • at Reidsville
Recent games:

  • Walkertown: W 55–0 Atkins, W 50–16 Parkland, W 44–21 West Rowan, W 40–35 East Surry (4–0).
  • Reidsville: L 47–38 Northern Guilford, W 42–14 George Washington (VA), L 35–0 Reagan, W 40–9 Eastern Guilford (2–2).

Series history

Reidsville has won the last four meetings (2021–2024). Walkertown’s first genuine shot to flip the script comes with an undefeated start and a defense piling up havoc plays.

Tale of the tape (through 9/14)

  • Passing
    • Walkertown: 68/100, 996 yds, 11 TD, 4 INT (Jerrell Crawford Sr.)
    • Reidsville: 55/86, 794 yds, 11 TD, 2 INT (Dionte Neal Sr. + Braxton Johnson So.)
  • Rushing
    • Walkertown: 97 att, 647 yds (6.7), 9 TD — led by Nasir Conrad (27–333, 12.3; 4 rush TD) & Camereon Cartlidge (18–122, 3 TD).
    • Reidsville: 115 att, 521 yds (4.5), 5 TD — Derek Lyons (7–114, 2 TD) & Michael Smith (31–134, TD) among contributors; Neal adds 17–89, 2 TD.
  • Receiving
    • Walkertown: Hunter Cruise (19–320–3), Amare Mitchell (17–210–2), Jacob McLaurin (13–150–2), Nasir Conrad (5–135–3), Eric Wiley (10–159–1).
    • Reidsville: Dionte Neal (21–343–5), Kendre Harrison (20–233–5), Frankie Galloway (10–175–1).
  • Defense / Havoc
    • Walkertown: 213 tackles, 47.0 TFL, 18.0 sacks, 8 INT (Conrad 3, McLaurin 2, Hamilton 2, Mitchell 1). Edge players Jarrett Poe, Adam Sauls, Cartlidge, Myles McMahan headline the pass-rush (each at 3–4 sacks).
    • Reidsville: 268 tackles, 18.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 3 INT (Neal 54 return yds; Lyons 20; Samolu). Front features Kadence Pruitt, Zayliyn Hampton, Keonte Brunson.
  • Special teams / Hidden yards
    • Walkertown: 323 PR yds with 5 punt-return TDs (Wiley 3 PR TD, Mitchell 1 PR TD, Hamilton 1 PR TD) plus 175 KR yds.
    • Reidsville: 245 KR yds, 93 PR yds, 76 INT return yds; Alex Penaloza 6/7 PAT.

Players to watch

Walkertown Wolfpack

  • QB Jerrell Crawford (Sr.) — 68/100, 996 yds, 11 TD. Efficient and aggressive; spreads it to four legit playmakers.
  • WR Hunter Cruise (Sr.) — 19–320–3; chain-mover who wins on digs and posts.
  • ATH Nasir Conrad (Jr.) — 27–333 rush (12.3), 3 rec TD, 3 INT on defense — true three-phase impact.
  • WR/RS Eric Wiley (Sr.) — 10–159–1 receiving, 3 PR TD — field-flipper.
  • EDGE trio: Jarrett Poe, Adam Sauls, Camereon Cartlidge — 12 sacks combined; big part of 47 TFL.

Reidsville Rams

  • ATH Dionte Neal (Sr.) — 13/20 for 222 & 2 TD at QB plus 21–343–5 receiving, 2 rush TD, 54-yd INT return; the matchup stressor everywhere.
  • QB Braxton Johnson (So.) — 42/66, 572 yds, 9 TD; operates rhythm RPO/play-action.
  • TE/WR Kendre Harrison (Sr., 6’7/250) — mismatch: 20–233–5; red-zone trump card.
  • RB/WR Michael Smith (Sr.) — 31–134 rush & defensive snaps; downhill tone-setter.
  • DE Kadence Pruitt / LB Keonte Brunson / DL Zayliyn Hampton — core of front with TFL/Sack production.

How it plays out

  1. Walkertown pass pro vs. Reidsville pressure
    Crawford’s been sacked rarely (stats favor quick game + max shots). Reidsville’s sack count (5.5) is modest; if the Rams don’t speed him up, Cruise/Mitchell/Wiley/Conrad can win one-on-ones.
  2. Red-zone: Harrison effect
    Inside the 20, Reidsville can simply throw it up to Kendre Harrison or formation him into leverage. Walkertown’s answer is pressure plus bracket — make Johnson hit backside reads.
  3. Special teams swing
    Walkertown already has five punt-return TDs. That’s not noise — it’s a weapon. If the Rams don’t angle and cover perfectly, a short field (or six) shows up.
  4. Turnovers & short fields
    Wolfpack own 8 INT on defense; Neal’s usage (QB/WR/CB/RET) is elite but heavy — any forced throw becomes a momentum event.

Keys to victory

  • Walkertown: Win special teams (≥1 return of 30+ or PR TD), protect on 3rd-and-long, hold Harrison to ≤1 TD in the red zone.
  • Reidsville: Control early downs with the run/RPO to keep 3rd-and-short, finish drives to Harrison/Neal, kick away from Wiley.

Pick (one-score game feel)

Walkertown brings the hotter form, deeper spread of skill threats, and the nastier havoc profile (47 TFL, 18 sacks, 8 INT, 5 PR TD). Reidsville has the highest individual ceiling pieces (Neal + Harrison) and home field — and they’ve owned the series (4–0) lately.

Prediction: Reidsville 42, Walkertown 40
Wolfpack’s special teams tilt a field-position game, and Conrad/Wiley/ Cruise make enough explosives to offset Harrison’s red-zone damage but I think Neal is the X-factor. Rams win in overtime