FROM THE
BEAR’S DEN
This week: Chatham Central (0-5) travels to Albemarle (0-4). Kickoff: 7:30 pm at Albemarle High School, Bulldogs Stadium.
Head Coach: Richard Davis
Last year: (4-3, 4-7; 1A Yadkin Valley Conference)
Leading returnees for Albemarle: QB Antonio Burns, RB Julius Smith, WR Manaurian Hall, OT Unique Cavalho, OLB Jylukus Hyatt, CB Kyshawn Mouton, MLB Jaylen Ridenhour.
Last week: North Wake 42, Chatham Central 20; Union Pines 36, Albemarle 3
Last meeting: Albemarle 55, Chatham Central 0 last year
Notable: 1A Yadkin Valley Conference opener for both teams.
Game keys: The contest will provider a first-time winner for one team on Friday night as both squads have gotten off to disappointing starts. One thing’s for sure in facing the Blue Bulldogs — the Bears will have to contain the speed. Albemarle can take it to the house on any play and the likes of Burns, Smith and Hall are all homerun hitters. Cavalho is a good one at OT as the 6’5, 270 lineman may be best in the league this fall. Hyatt, Mouton and Ridenhour lead an aggressive defense that’s struggled at getting off the field at times this fall, and has been susceptible to big plays. Sustaining drives and forcing some Albemarle turnovers will go a long ways in determining the outcome of the game.
From the coaches: Bears coach Sherman Howze said his team will have to ”come out motivated and ready to play. It’s the first conference game of the year so we are treating it like a new season. That’s our mentality going in.”
ON CHARGER BOULEVARD
This week: Northwood (1-3) is hosting Cedar Ridge (0-4). Kickoff: 7 p.m. at Northwood High School, Chargers Stadium.
Head Coach: Torrean Hinton
Last year: (No team; 3A Big Eight Conference)
Leading returnees: QB William Berger, RB Isaiah McCambry, WR K.J. Barnes, LB Braedon Thompson, DT Javon McKivers, DB Brandon Poteat, DE Braxton Mergenthal.
Last week: Northwood was off; Providence Grove 42, Cedar Ridge 6
Last meeting: Northwood 48, Cedar Ridge 20 in 2017
Notable: Cedar Ridge didn’t field a team in 2018 and the Red Wolves are virtually a junior varsity roster this fall. Northwood will induct five new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame which should have the Chargers crowd excited and ready. 3A Big Eight Conference opener for both teams.
Game keys: Simply put, Northwood needs to show up ready to play and to show no sluggishness from the bye week. The Chargers enter on a high after a beat down of Western Harnett two weeks ago, and if they are focused, will win handily. Northwood is the better team, and Deuce Powell, Aaron Ross and Justin Brower should run roughshod all night. Defensively, Northwood needs to stuff what has been an anemic Cedar Ridge offense which comes in averaging just six points per game. Winning the field position battle would mean a lot of success for the green and gold on Friday evening.
IN THE JET HANGAR
This week: Jordan-Matthews (1-4) is traveling to High Point on Friday night to battle T.W. Andrews (3-1) Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Simeon Stadium.
Head Coach: Mitchell Jenkins
Last year: (2-4, 3-8; 2A PAC 7 Conference)
Last week: Carrboro 42, Jordan-Matthews 6; HP Andrews 29, HP Central 28
Last meeting: HP Andrews 62, Jordan-Matthews 7 last year
Leading returnees: QB Jenoah McIver, RB Trey Lindsay, WR Kenel Barrett, DE Montez Archie, DT Jakohe Moman, DT Antonio Peak, MLB Marcel Bailey.
Notable: Friday night will be the 2A PAC 7 Conference opener for both teams. HP Andrews and Jordan-Matthews are both under first-year coaches.
Game keys: Simeon Stadium is a beautiful place to play and Jordan-Matthews will have to be ready, because the Red Raiders of Andrews are battle-tested already this season, including a 29-28 win over rival HP Central last Friday night. Jordan-Matthews will have to hold on to the football, sustain drives, eliminate big plays and force turnovers to have a shot. Andrews is one of the favorites to win the conference this season.
From the coach: J-M’s Sam Spencer said his team must “tackle well. If you miss assignments against Andrews, they will score and fast. Take care of the football on offense and find away to sustain drives and put the ball in the end zone. Our kids are battling. I just want us to go up there and compete for four quarters on Friday night.”