Week 5 of the gridiron season will see all the action in western Chatham County this Friday night as Chatham Central plays host to the North Wake Saints, a home school squad from up around Raleigh, and Jordan-Matthews entertaining Carrboro in Siler City. Northwood has a week off after collecting its first win of the season with a 31-7 triumph over Western Harnett in Lillington last Friday evening.
In Siler City, coach Sam Spencer and the young Jets are riding high after picking up their first win of the season with a 56-30 victory over Chatham Central. Jaquez Thompson had 271 yards and five touchdowns in the win and Jerrell Brooks and Calvin Schwartz also had big games to spearhead the victory. Things will be tougher from a speed standpoint this week as Carrboro brings a lot more of it to the table than Chatham Central, so how J-M reacts to that will be interesting to see. But regardless, there’s no denying some real excitement around the Jordan-Matthews program which continues to build for the future.
In Bear Creek, it’s just time for a Chatham Central win. The Bears have left a win or two on the table, but that’s in the rearview mirror right now and CC needs to focus directly on the North Wake Saints.
In facing North Wake, little is known about the program. And maybe that’s a good thing as Chatham Central can focus on its team and getting better especially on the defensive end which has allowed over 50 points per contest. Needless to say, finding away to slow teams down is the key for the Bears, and it all begins this Friday night for Chatham Central.
FROM THE
BEARS’ DEN
This week: Chatham Central (0-4) entertains North Wake (1-2, 10-0 last year, Homeschool Football League). Kickoff: 7:30 pm at Chatham Central High School, Bears Stadium.
Head Coach: Ryan Nemitz
Leading returnees for North Wake: QB Ian Nemitz, RB Jonathan Nichols, RB Jerron Harper, WR Jackson White, DE Strider Miller, WR Blake Pettit, LB Caleb Jones, DE Riley Porter.
Last week: Jordan-Matthews 56, Chatham Central 30; Ravenscroft 47, North Wake 21
Last meeting: First ever meeting between the programs.
Notable: North Wake is in its fifth year as a program and was 10-0 last season while winning the North Carolina HFL Championship.
Game keys: Chatham Central needs to get off to a fast start, something the Bears have failed to do in every game this season. Playing with the lead is imperative on Friday night. Up front, the Bears will have a distinct size advantage and they need to take advantage of it on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Riley Lagenor needs to get on track early. This will help set up the passing game and Michael Moore while Brady Cunnup, Micah Gurley, Hunter Strickland and Tyler Oldham all having the ability to exploit the Saints defense.
Defensively, it’s all about stops. Chatham Central has some talent on defense, but the Bears have been playing more as individuals and have yet to play as a unit. Talk doesn’t get it done, playing fundamentally sound and carrying out assignments while getting to the football does. And Chatham Central needs four quarters of that against North Wake.
From the coaches: CC’s coach Sherman Howze says his team will have to be adept at “getting out of the gates fast and playing four quarters of football is the key for us. Defensively we’ve got to put it together this week We need a lot of three-and-outs.”
FROM THE
JETS’ HANGAR
This week: Jordan-Matthews (1-3) is hosting Carrboro (3-1, 6-5 last year; 2A Mid-State Conference) Kickoff: 7:30 pm at Jordan-Matthews High School, Phil E. Senter Stadium.
Head Coach: Ken Lathan
Leading returnees: QB/RB T.K. Pasant, QB Jake Adams, RB Jowon Murdaugh, WR Tim Rogers-Neal, WR Luke Adams, LB Braden Hunter, DE Robert Allen.
Last week: Jordan-Matthews 56, Chatham Central 30; Carrboro 40, Warren County 21
Last meeting: Carrboro 34, Jordan-Matthews 7 in 2018
Notable: Jordan-Matthews owns a 4-2 series lead.
Game keys: First and foremost, Jordan-Matthews must handle the success from a win and carry it over against a good Carrboro team. The Jets faced the Jaguars in the Northwood Jamboree and had some success. But this is the real deal, and Carrboro comes in at 3-1 although the strength of schedule certainly favors Jordan-Matthews. Offensively, Jordan-Matthews must hold onto the ball and sustain drives. Getting Jaquez Thompson and Jerrell Brooks on track early will go a long ways in how the game plays out. Defensively, the Jets must get to the football and gang tackle Jowon Murdaugh who can take it to the house on any play and comes into the game with 521 yards and four touchdowns including a long of 60. Forcing third-and-long for the Jaguars and getting off the field will be imperative for the Jets.
From the coaches: J-M’s Sam Spencer says his team will have to “sustain drives and eliminate the big play potential of Carrboro. I’m pleased with how this team just continues to work every day to get better.”