By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
An in-depth look at Friday’s varsity football games involving teams from the South Fork 2A, Northwestern Foothills 2A and Northwestern 3A-4A.
HobbsDailyReport.com co-owners Will Hancock and Myra Hobbs and editor and content coordinator Chris Hobbs are predicting who will wins the games.
Chris Hobbs was 8-3 last week and leads for the season at 90-26. Hancock went 10-1 last week and is 87-29 and Myra Hobbs went 8-3 last week and is 76-40:
SOUTH FORK 2A
NORTH LINCOLN (7-1, 4-0) at NEWTON-CONOVER (6-2, 4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Lots of football still to be played, but tonight’s winner in Gurley Stadium takes over sole possession of first place in the conference.
FRIDAY’S BROADCAST: North Lincoln at Newton-Conover, 7:30 p.m.
It’s likely to be an emotional night for North Lincoln head coach Nick Bazzle, win or lose. He spent 24 years at Newton-Conover – 19 as head coach – before moving on to Alexander Central. He retired there and was pulled back into coaching last season by the appeal of doing it in his home county (he was a football star at East Lincoln).
Steven Pack, in his second season as the Red Devils’ head coach, was North Lincoln’s head coach previously.
Both coaches will have an impact but tonight’s game will come down to the players and plays, and each team has reason to believe it has the upper hand.
RB Allen Wilfong (144 carries for 764 yards) and QB Justice Craig (92-154-3 for 1,349 yards) lead the Red Devils while the Knights rely on a few more hands-on-the-ball guys – RB Jake Soorus (53-494 yards) chief among them – and defense.
Last year: North Lincoln won 47-18 at home when Soorus ran 12 times for 105 yards and two scores and RB Clayton Cribb had 11 carries for 111 yards … Returning QB Landon Beard had a 4-yard TD run and Sam Brady, who is also back, ran 55 yards for a score … Craig threw for 218 yards and three TDs, one of them to returning WR Brandon Johnson, and Wilfong added 29 carries for 150 yards.
Did you know?: Pack’s career record of 10-20 includes the Red Devils’ going 8-11 … The Knights are 17-5 under Bazzle… North Lincoln has reached eight wins only twice in school history and those teams (2007 and last year) each won 10 games) … The Red Devils have won seven or more five times in the previous 10 seasons.
Will says: North Lincoln wins
Myra says: Newton-Conover wins
Hobbs says: North Lincoln wins
EAST LINCOLN (7-1, 3-1) at MAIDEN (5-3, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Mustangs need a win at Maiden to stay firmly in contention for a league title.
Maiden has a two-game win streak in the series and has won 21 of their 29 games all-time against the Mustangs.
The Blue Devils won a baseball slugfest-like 13-10 last season in Denver, N.C., but that is the only game among the last eight that was not high scoring; the winner’s scoring total in those seven games – 58, 42, 42, 48, 56, 49 and 44.
QB Justin Barnett (59-for-110, 947 yards) and RB Cole Barber (85-744) have been key contributors this year for East Lincoln, and Maiden QB Ethan Rhodes (86-135-5, 1,643 yards) and WR Dylan Abernathy (44 for 836 yards) are probably the best throw-catch duo in the league.
Last year: Maiden got two field goals by Casey Ly and a 31-yard TD pass from Caleb McDaniel to Abernathy to win 13-10 at East Lincoln …Returning RB Cole Barber was limited to 16 yards on 10 carries for the Mustangs.
Did you know?: Maiden is 13-7 in its last 20 games … The Blue Devils have won or shared a league title only two times in the previous 12 year … East Lincoln’s record in games at Maiden since 1982 is 2-5.
Will says: East Lincoln wins
Myra says: Maiden wins
Hobbs says: East Lincoln wins
WEST LINCOLN (6-2, 2-2) at BANDYS (4-4, 1-3), 7:30 p.m.
West Lincoln needs something it hasn’t had since 1988 – a win in Butler Stadium – to stay in the top four in the conference standings.
The Trojans have won 11 straight over the Rebels at Butler and 18 straight overall (and 21 of the last 22).
West Lincoln last beat Bandys at Bandys in 1988, winning 8-7.
A stingy defense and good team play have helped the Rebels remain steady under new head coach Darren Ponder, with RB Canon Bridges (146-1,206 yards) leading the conference in rushing.
Bandys has not played well over its last few games and has three games — including tonight’s — to play itself into the state playoff picture.
RB Isaiah Gilchrist leads Bandys with 649 yards rushing.
Tonight’s game is the 50th between the Rebels and Trojan, and the Trojans lead the series 38-10-1.
Last year: Bandys, en route to going unbeaten in the South Fork 2A, won 36-22 on the road as RB Ethan Howard ran 23 times for 178 yards and rushed for three scores … QB Seth Willis led the Rebels with two 1-yard TD runs, a 21-yard TD pass and a two-point conversion pass.
Did you know?: West Lincoln is 3-12 at Bandys since 1982, winning there in 1982, 1986 and 1988 … A win would give the Rebels their 11th season in school history with at least seven victories … Bandys is 16-6 with Tom Eanes as head coach and chasing its third state playoff bid in a row and 15th in 18 years.
Will says: West Lincoln wins
Myra says: West Lincoln wins
Hobbs says: West Lincoln wins
LAKE NORMAN CHARTER (1-7, 0-4) at
LINCOLNTON (2-6, 0-4), 7:30 p.m.
The winner tonight gets out of last place in the conference.
QB Jeff Womack leads Lake Norman Charter while the Wolves rely heavily on RB Amontre Finger (97-310) and QBs E.J. Manjarres, back in the lineup after missing four games with an injury, and Reed King sharing time at the position.
Last year: RB James Woods ran 15 times for 115 yards and two TD as the Wolves shut out the Knights 27-0 in Huntersville.
Did you know?: Lake Norman is 0-18 since joining the South Fork 2A and 6-24 overall … Lincolnton is likely to miss the playoffs, as it did last year, and has not missed in back-to-back season since not qualifying for three straight yers (1997-99).
Will says: Lincolnton wins
Myra says: Lincolnton wins
Hobbs says: Lincolnton wins
NORTHWESTERN FOOTHILLS 2A
WEST IREDELL (5-3, 3-1) at BUNKER HILL (4-4, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.
It’s certainly one of the biggest home games in many years for the Bears, who are going for their fourth straight victory. They come in sharing second place with West Iredell.
The Warriors have won the last four times they’ve visited Claremont, averaging 47.2 points per game in those wins.
The teams have met 22 times since 1981, each winning 11 games.
This one could be high-scoring because the Warriors have a number of good skill position players – including QB Eli Kitchens – and the Bears have their share as well.
Bunker Hill QB Carson Elder threw for 261 yards in last Friday night’s win at East Burke, hitting six different receivers.
The Bears have won three straight games – over Fred T. Foard, Draughn and East Burke – but none of those three create the matchup problems that the Warriors do.
Does that really matter? At worst, it can reduce the game to a) who plays better; b) who believes they will win and “b” might be the more important one for a Bears team that has built some confidence.
Last year: West Iredell won 30-7 at home when RB Emmanuel Long (back) ran for two scores and RB Myles Jackson, also back, scored on a 3-yard run for his second TD of last season … The Bears’ only score was on a 68-yard run by RB Raheem Carson.
Did you know?: West Iredell has won four straight in Claremont, scoring 44, 68, 41 and 36 in those wins … Tonight’s game is No. 20 for Patrick Clark as Bunker Hill head coach (6-13).
Will says: Bunker Hill wins
Myra says: Bunker Hill wins
Hobbs says: Bunker Hill wins
EAST BURKE (2-6, 1-3) at HIBRITEN (7-1, 4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Pretty simple for the Panthers – if they keep winning, the only team in the league that could potentially tie for the conference title would be the West Iredell at Bunker Hill winner.
East Burke leads the series since 1980 by 13-8 but has not won in Lenoir since a 2011 season-opener, 49-21.
Hibriten may not be as deep and powerful as the previous two seasons, but the Panthers still have that “feel” about them under new head coach Sam Mackey.
East Burke features RB Josh Moore, who has become the Cavs’ all-time leading rusher.
Last year: Led by Skylin Thomas’ scores of 45 yards on a run, 59 yards on a reception and 65 yards on a kickoff return, the Panthers rolled 63-6 in Icard … RB Marqwone Jones had five carries for 113 yards and ran for two TDs for Hibriten … Moore gained 79 yards on 28 carries for the Cavs.
Did you know?: The Panthers have outscored the Cavs 118-15 in the last two games they’ve played at Hibriten … East Burke is 6-4 in Storie Stadium since 1982… A win gives Hibriten five straight years with at least eight wins — 8, 14, 16 and 14 the previous four seasons.
Will says: Hibriten wins
Myra says: Hibriten wins
Hobbs says: Hibriten wins
WEST CALDWELL (1-7, 1-3) at PATTON (2-6, 1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Could be a close game tonight in Morganton, where the Panthers try to win their fourth straight in a series with the Warriors.
West Caldwell snapped a 21-game losing streak last Friday by beating Fred T. Foard 14-13, also handing head coach Mike Biggerstaff the first win of his second tenure leading the Warriors.
Patton has struggled offensively the whole season, scoring 20 or more points only twice even though QB Weston Fleming (111-320 rushing) and RB Bryson Ratliff (61-392) have been bright spots at times.
Last year: Did not play as Patton was in the Northwestern Foothills 2A and West Caldwell joined the league this year after an appeal to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) to leave the Northwestern 3A-4A because of declining enrollment.
Did you know?: Patton won 20-18 in 2008 and 34-27 in 2010 in games against West Caldwell played at Patton … West Caldwell is 1-18 in its last 19 games … By beating Fred T. Foard by a point last Friday, the Warriors assured they would not end up with the fifth winless season in school history.
Will says: Patton wins
Myra says: West Caldwell wins
Hobbs says: Patton wins
South Caldwell running back Spencer Piercy (6) is one of the Spartans’ key offensive weapons this season. Tonight in Hudson, the Spartans face old rival Hickory in Game No. 38 of a series that the Red Tornadoes lead 27-10./MICHELLE THOMPSON PHOTO (purchase her photos by emailing her at luvinlkn@gmail.com)
NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A
HICKORY (2-6, 2-1) at
SOUTH CALDWELL (4-4, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY’S BROADCAST: Hickory at South Caldwell, 7:30 p.m.
The Red Tornadoes are in third place, a half-game back of second-place Freedom, as they go for their fourth straight win in a series against the Spartans.
Hickory traditionally plays well in Hudson – 12-4 there since 1982 – and it has one of the league’s best runners as RB Cody Young comes in with 856 rushing yards on 168 carries.
The Spartans can give defenses fits with their versatility, ranging from QB Avery Raynor (94-413, rushing and 55-118-11 for 960 passing) to RBs Spencer Piercy (82-549 in seven games) and Isaiah Kirby (70-334, 198 yards in last two games).
Hickory will have to play its way into the state playoff bracket.
South Caldwell and McDowell are the league’s 4A teams, and the Spartans won that head-to-head game to virtually wrap up a postseason bid.
Last year: Hickory won 55-54 at Barger Stadium when Young ran 31 times for 361 yards and seven TDs, including runs of 21, 31 and 77 for scores … Piercy had a TD run, three two-point conversion runs and threw a conversion pass to spark the Spartans … Raynor had a rushing and passing TD, Kirby added two rushing TDs and Samuel Craig provided an 80-yard rushing TD, a 17-yard scoring run and caught a 26-yard TD pass.
Did you know?: Hickory has built its three-game win streak in the series on the heels of South Caldwell having won three straight before that … The Red Tornadoes were idle last Friday and picked up head coach Russell Stone’s 275th career win the week before that by surprising Freedom 23-22.
Will says: South Caldwell wins
Myra says: Hickory wins
Hobbs says: South Caldwell wins
ST. STEPHENS (4-4, 1-2) at
ALEXANDER CENTRAL (5-1, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Indians get a tough assignment tonight, heading to Taylorsville with an eight-game losing streak in the series overall and they’re 0-8 on Alexander Central’s field since the 1982 season.
The Cougars bring weapons – RB Steve Montgomery (123-1,103) leads the way – and they’d be helped by winning out re the state playoffs … after a 0-2 conference start.
St. Stephens relies on its passing game – QB Connor Williams and WR Zach Lee have hooked up for seven scores – and Williams needs 103 yards to clear 1,000 this season.
It will be the 45th game for Butch Carter as head coach at Alexander Central (31-13).
St. Stephens’ last win over Alexander Central was 10-7 in 2008 in Hickory.
Last year: Alexander Central won 28-13 at St. Stephens behind a 76-yard TD run by returning RB Colston Yount and 21 carries for 128 yards and three rushing scores by RB Tevin Clark … Williams threw for 228 yards, finding Lee for TDs of 58 and 53 yards.
Did you know?: The Cougars are hoping to gain their fourth straight state playoff bid; they qualified for 10 of 11 years then missed twice and have been each of the last three seasons … Only one school in the state, R-S Central (1959), has gone longer than St. Stephens (1961) without a varsity football conference championship.
Will says: Alexander Central wins
Myra says: Alexander Central wins
Hobbs says: Alexander Central wins
McDOWELL (1-7, 0-4) at
WATAUGA (8-1, 4-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Pioneers can wrap up at least a share of the conference title if they handle the Titans tonight in Boone.
Watauga is the only team unbeaten in league play, with idle Freedom (3-1) and Hickory (2-1) the teams with a loss each, and Freedom and Watauga have not played yet.
Pioneers QB Anderson Castle should be a prime candidate for conference player of the year (150-1,392 yards rushing; 29-45-2 for 736 yards passing), and RB Jaiden Bond is a big play waiting to happen (66-922 rushing, 11-355 receiving and 13 of the 16 scoring plays he’s been involved in are 20 or more yards … five or 50 or more yards).
RB Quantavin Moore (104-620) and QB Riley Moore (40-for-85, 544 yards) lead McDowell.
Last year: Watauga rolled 50-13 in Marion with Bond rushing six times for 112 yards and scoring on a 59-yard run and 82-yard kickoff return and Zach West adding two TD runs and a scoring reception … QB Adam Randolph threw for 167 yards and RB J.C. Olivio had 26 carries for 133 yards for the Titans.
Did you know?: McDowell will finish with a losing record for the seventh consecutive season and for the 17th time in 18 years under five head coaches … Watauga won a league title in 1978 (Northwestern 3A) by going 6-0 in the conference and won that title again in 1980 by going 5-0 in conference games.
Will says: Watauga wins
Myra says: Watauga wins
Hobbs says: Watauga wins