County gridiron squads seeking first wins of 2019.
FROM THE BEAR’S DEN
This week: hosting Atkins (1-0; 1-10 last year; 2A Western Piedmont Conference). Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Chatham Central High School, Bear Stadium
Head coach: David Hamlin
Leading returnees: WR Charlie Walker (Jr.), WR Jaeden Ingram (Sr.), NG Bryson Holmes (Sr.), LB Joseph Reid (Sr.), CB Jawaun Archie (Sr.), DE Jalen Matthews (Sr.)
First meeting ever between Chatham Central and Atkins High School.
Notable: Chatham Central is coming off a 70-13 pounding by powerful Eastern Randolph while Atkins was hammered 42-0 by West Iredell on Monday evening.
Game keys: Chatham Central will have to get some stops defensively after failing to force a punt by Eastern Randolph in the opener. The Camels will be much more of a viable match up for the Bears, however, as the 2A team was just 1-10 a year ago. Michael Moore and Chatham Central had some success against Eastern Randolph in the opener, with Riley Lagenor showing some real toughness on the ground and Brady Cannup, Tyler Oldham, Hunter Strickland and Micah Gurley some reliable targets at wideout.
From the coach: CC’s coach Sherman Howze says his team will have to : “We have to play better defensively and eliminate the big plays. Offensively I think we need to block more consistently up front. If we can do that I think we can score some points. If it comes down to the kicking game I’m very confident in Abad de la Sancha. He’s a real weapon in all three areas of the kicking game.”
ON CHARGER BOULEVARD
This week: hosting Lee County (1-0; 11-1 last year; 2A Tri County Conference). Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Northwood High School, Chargers Stadium
Head coach: Steve Burdeau
Leading returnees: QB Colin Johnson (Sr.), RB AJ Boulware (Sr.), WR Tyric Mckendall (Soph.), DE Desmond Evans (Sr.), LB Larry Baldwin (Sr.)
Lee County won last year’s match up 35-20
Yellow Jacket DE Desmond Evans is the top-ranked player in the state of North Carolina with offers from everyone including Clemson and Alabama. The 6’6, 245-pound senior recorded 82 tackles a year ago, including 25 for loss and 12 sacks.
Notable: Northwood much find a way to block Evans off the end, first and foremost, and then Baldwin to have any shot at a victory over the Jackets who rolled EE Smith 47-18 on Monday night. Boulware, who rushed for 2,163 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, is one of the top runners in the state while Johnson us a viable passing threat after connecting on 114-of-199 passes for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall. Eliminating big plays from those two will go a long ways on determining the outcome of the game.
Game keys: The Northwood defense must find away to contain Boulware and to get off the field. The Chargers simply can’t surrender too man points because those will come at a premium against an Evans led defense. Offensively, Northwood must extend drives, take care of the football, and get the ball to the likes of Deuce Powell, Justin Brower, Aaron Ross, and Jalen Mcafee-Marion.
IN THE JET HANGAR
This week: hosting Oak Grove (1-0; 5-6 last year; 2A Central Carolina Conference). Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Jordan-Matthews High School, Phil Senter Stadium
Head coach: Mark Holcumb
Leading returnees: QB Ian McGlannery (Sr.), RB Aieden Shewcow (Jr.), RB Anthony Bowen (Sr.), WR Hunter Tilley (Sr.), LB Levi Gates (Jr.), LB Mason Grubbs (Sr.)
First meeting ever between Jordan-Matthews and second year program Oak Grove
Holcumb guided North Davidson to a decade of prominence in 4A before the school split in half and Oak Grove was opened two years ago.
Notable: Jordan-Matthews Head Coach Sam Spencer will be seeking his first win for the second week in a row against a senior-laden opponent in Oak Grove. The challenge will be steep as Oak Grove is coming off a 54-0 demolition of Trinity in its season opener. The columbia blue, black and silver clad Grizzlies blocked three punts and Bowen returned another 47 yards in the rout of Trinity. Shewcow rushed for 131 yards and three scores on just 11 carries while McGlannery was 6-for-7 for 46 yards and a touchdown through the air. Oak Grove used a constant short field to blow the game open at 47-0 at the half.
Game keys: To win, the Jets will have to first and foremost, eliminate mistakes. Three turnovers early last Friday night against Bartlett-Yancey sent J-M to an early deficit that the Jets never could overcome. Taking care of the ball will be of the highest priority while forcing some Oak Grove turnovers will also be a necessity if the young Jets have any shot at the upset.
From the coach: J-M’s Sam Spencer says his team will have to : “We’ve got to play an almost perfect game to have a shot to win,” said Spencer. We made too many mistakes against B-Y which snowballed on us. We have a lot of kids playing varsity football for the first time and we are a work in progress. They have had a great attitude and we want to get better each week.”