FROM THE BEAR’S DEN
This week: Chatham Central (0-5, 0-10) hosts North Moore (1-4, 3-6). Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Chatham Central High School, Bears Stadium.
Head Coach: Andrew Carrouth
Last year: (1-6, 2-9; 1A Yadkin Valley Conference)
Leading returnees for North Moore: QB Gage Pennington, RB Jaleak Horne, TE Cody Patterson, DE Jatorious Brower, WR Chris Sheffield, SS Trace Wilson.
Last week: South Davidson, Chatham Central 20; North Stanly 43 North Moore 0
Last meeting: Chatham Central 31 North Moore 30 in 2018
Notable: Senior Night for Chatham Central against rival North Moore with the Bears in search of its first win of the season.
Game keys: After a dismal 2018 season North Moore has turned its program around a bit under first year coach Andrew Corruth. North Moore already has three wins and a fourth could give the Mustangs an outside shot at the 1A state playoffs. Chatham Central will have to stop Mustang QB Gage Patterson who is a threat to run and pass while RB Jaleak Horne is small but can take it the distance. Defensively blocking big DE Jatorious Brower will be a chore for the Bears while Trace Wilson makes plays all over the field for the Mustangs who play a great deal of players both ways. If Michael Moore has time to pass and the Bears can get the running game going it should be a wild one in Bear Creek.
From the coaches: Bears coach Sherman Howze said, “It’s Senior Night and we want to send our seniors out on a high note. We need to put it all together this week and find a way to win. It’s always a great game when these two schools meet.”
ON CHARGER BOULEVARD
This week: Northwood (3-3, 4-6) traveling to Northern Durham (5-1, 8-2). Kickoff: 7 p.m. at Durham County Stadium.
Head Coach: John Hamlett
Last year: (5-0, 11-2; 3A Big Eight Conference)
Leading returnees: QB Kyle Barnhill, RB Anthony Freeman, WR Caleb Steele, Cameron Traylor LB, DT Jaden Taylor, DE Justin Rhodes.
Last week: Vance County 42 Northwood 21; Northern Durham 60 East Chapel Hill 0
Last meeting: Northern Durham 23 Northwood 0 in 2018
Notable: Northwood faces a must win situation if the Chargers are to have any shot at the NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs which begin a week later. Even then a percentage is low and would require a lot of upsets in other Big Eight Conference games.
Game keys: Northwood first and foremost must slow down Northern Durham RB Anthony Freeman who has 1,148 yards coming into the contest. Knights QB Kyle Barnhill is a capable runner and passer while WR Caleb Steele presents a real threat catching the ball. The Chargers will also have to account for DT Jaden Taylor and DE Justin Rhodes, both of which can wreak havoc consistently up front.
IN THE JET HANGAR
This week: Jordan-Matthews (1-4, 2-8) is hosting Providence Grove (3-2, 7-3) on Friday night in Siler City. Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Phil E. Senter Stadium.
Head Coach: Calvin Brown
Last year: (3-3, 6-6; 2A PAC 7 Conference)
Last week: Wheatmore 49 Jordan-Matthews 14; Providence Grove 21 HP Andrews 14
Last meeting: Providence Grove 42, Jordan-Matthews 0 in 2018
Leading returnees: QB Luke Thomas, RB Caleb Rogers, WR Jacob Marcrum, WR Cam Way, LB Jadon Griffith, DB Masaon Collins, DB Travis Boone, DE Anthony Castagna.
Notable: It will be Senior Night at Jordan-Matthews. Providence Grove needs a win to take third place outright in the conference and for upcoming state playoff seeding.
Game keys: Providence Grove has been the surprise team of the conference this fall in large part due to the passing of QB Luke Thomas who has a group of talented receivers led by Cam Way and Jacob Marcrum, both of which have caught almost 500 yards worth of passes. RB Caleb Rogers has over 700 yards rushing so the Jets defense will have to worry about both the ground and aerial attack of the Patriots. Jordan-Matthews must find a way to block Anthony Castagna, the leader of the Providence Grove defense with 117 tackles including 14 for loss.
From the coach: J-M’s Sam Spencer said his team must “tackle well. We have to play our assignments on defense and force some turnovers. Offensively we’ve got to sustain drives, play almost mistake free to have a chance. I want to see us compete hard and to play four quarters. It’s Senior Night so we need to show up focused and to get after it.”