HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Previews for tonight’s Week 6 games

Full schedule of conference play highlighted

by Bandys at Maiden rivalry game

By CHRIS HOBBS

HobbsDailyReport.com

A brief 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 win the games.

Chris Hobbs was 9-3 last week and leads for the season at 61-11. Hancock went 10-2 last week and is 54-18 for the season and Myra Hobbs went 9-3 and her season record is 47-25:

SOUTH FORK 2A

BANDYS (3-1) at MAIDEN (3-1), 7:30 p.m.

There is no bigger game for these two communities, a battle in which a player can make one big play and be remembered at his school for a lifetime.

This is the 67^th meeting in a series Maiden leads – largely by its 25-0-3 start against the Trojans – and it could come down specifically to how well Bandys’ defense handles Maiden QB Ethan Rhodes and WR Dylan Abernethy.

Bandys has won the last two visits to Maiden and has won 14 times in the series and six times at Maiden.

Last year: Bandys won 37-28 at home behind three TD runs by RB Ethan Howard… Abernethy had TD catches of 49 and 50 yards for Maiden and QB Bain Sipe, back this year but not playing QB, went 15 of 28 for 272 yards.

Did you know?: Maiden is going for its 50^th win in the series, leading 49-14-3 … Bandys is 14-24-2 against Maiden winning its first game in the series in 1981 (9-6)… The Trojans’ first win in the series on Maiden’s field was 9-6 in 1986.

Will says: Maiden wins

Myra says: Maiden wins

Hobbs says: Bandys wins

LAKE NORMAN CHARTER (1-3) at EAST LINCOLN (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

The Mustangs go for a 5-0 start with a visit from the Knights, who could offer East Lincoln a challenge with a passing game led by QB Jeff Womack.

East Lincoln, coming off a 6-7 season, has played well early and also has a QB (Justin Barnett) who is leading the way.

Last year: QB Chase Jones threw for four scores and ran for another as East Lincoln rolled 56-7 at Lake Norman Charter … RB Cole Barber, who returns, had a season-high 105 yards on seven carries… Zach Goodman, who is back, returned a fumble 26 yards for the Knights’ only score.

Did you know?: David Lubowicz is coaching the Mustangs for the 30^th time tonight. They are 16-13 since he took over as head coach three years ago.

Will says: East Lincoln wins

Myra says: East Lincoln wins

Hobbs says: East Lincoln wins

LINCOLNTON (2-2) at NEWTON-CONOVER (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

The Red Devils go for their third straight win in a series that is tied 9-all since 1983.

As expected, RB Allen Wilfong and QB Justice Craig have had good starts for Newton-Conover, which had lost seven straight games against the Wolves before winning two years ago.

The Wolves are 5-1 at Gurley Stadium.

Last year: The Red Devils won 34-7 on the road with Craig throwing for 158 yards and two scores and running for a TD … Wilfong had 100 rushing yards and two TD runs and WR Kejuan McClain had two scoring passes among his six catches for 131 yards.

Did you know?: The Wolves last won in Gurley Stadium 49-6 in 2016, a game that featured five catches for 130 yards and two TDs and a 24-yard interception return by Lincolnton’s Sage Surratt, who now plays at Wake Forest.

Will says: Newton-Conover wins

Myra says: Newton-Conover wins

Hobbs says: Newton-Conover wins

NORTH LINCOLN (3-1) at WEST LINCOLN (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

This might be the best game in the South Fork 2A tonight, certainly one that is going to help decide who the frontrunners are in the chase for a league title.

North Lincoln isn’t a great deal different from last season – RB Jake Soorus is particularly an offensive threat – and West Lincoln’s defense is sterling and the Rebels also have a number of offensive threats (RBs Cannon Bridges and Xander Pendergrass).

Not sure the game will be as low scoring as last year, when the Knights won 7-6 at North Lincoln on Soorus’ 99-yard TD run – but this is going to be a battle.

Last year: North Lincoln won 7-6 at North Lincoln with K Patrick DeLaney’s PAT deciding it … The Knights won without completing a pass… Soorus’ 99-yard run was his longest of the season and he had 11 carries for 126 yards, starting an eight-game stretch in which he gained at least 100 yards.

Did you know?: North Lincoln head coach Nick Bazzle, also a head coach at Newton-Conover and Alexander Central during his career, has 142 victories. He’s in his 19^th season but second at North Lincoln.

Will says: North Lincoln wins

Myra says: North Lincoln wins

Hobbs says: West Lincoln wins

NORTHWESTERN FOOTHILLS 2A

DRAUGHN (3-2, 1-0) at WEST IREDELL (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

The Wildcats take a trip to Old Mountain Road, going to West Iredell atop the conference standings via an earlier victory over Fred T. Foard.

West Iredell may have some of the league’s best returning athletes, QB Eli Kitchens and RB Emmanuel Long come to mind – but there may be a simple bottom line to this game – can West Iredell slow Draughn’s game?

Draughn QB Braxton Cox has thrown for 14 scores in the last three game, wins over Fred T. Foard, Cherryville and Avery County – and the Wildcats have scored 164 points in those games.

Last year: West Iredell won 45-20 at Draughn with Long posting 23 carries for a season-high 241 yards… Long scored on runs of 99, 7 and 8 yards and scored two conversions .. Kitchens had a TD pass and 131 yards of total offense… Draughn WR Khe-nai Banks had a season-high 58 yards receiving in last year’s game and Cox threw for 309 yards, reaching 1,000 for the season in just the sixth game.

Did you know?: Tonight’s game is No. 50 for Monte Simmons as head coach at West Iredell. He’s a former Hibriten assistant and the Warriors have gone 15-34 since he took over five years ago.

Will says: West Iredell wins

Myra says: Draughn wins

Hobbs says: Draughn wins

EAST BURKE (1-3) at WEST CALDWELL (0-4), 7:30 p.m.

The Cavs can get their third straight win on West Caldwell’s field tonight in a series East Burke leads 13-11 since 1983.

East Burke got QB Seth Pruitt back in the lineup last week (he had been out with an injury) and it still has one of the league’s top rushers in RB Josh Moore.

West Caldwell is still chasing its first win in the second tenure of Mike Biggerstaff as head coach.

This could be the case tonight: In 24 games they’ve played since 1983, the winning margin was 10 or fewer points nine times.

Last year: East Burke and West Caldwell opened last season at West Caldwell with the Cavs winning 42-0… West Caldwell was in the Northwestern 3A-4A last season… Moore ran for 129 yards, Pruitt ran for 92 yards and Brett Childers had a TD run and returned an interception 41 yards for a TD for East Burke … RB Nate Brown had 106 yards rushing for the Warriors.

Did you know?: East Burke is 7-5 in games played at West Caldwell since 1983 … The Cavs have won three of the last four in Lenoir and six of the last 10… West Caldwell won the first four games in the series, which started in 1983.

Will says: East Burke wins

Myra says: East Burke wins

Hobbs says: East Burke wins

FRED T. FOARD (0-5) at PATTON (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers take their sixth shot at getting Ryan Gettys his first win in his second tenure as Foard head coach.

Patton has won the last two games against Foard that were played at Patton, and the Panthers lead the series 4-3.

RB Corey Siemer leads Foard and QB Weston Fleming has been Draughn’s scoring leader.

Last year: Foard won 21-12 last season at home when Siemer ran for 198 yards and scored twice… Pierce Memmel hit two field goals for Patton (51 and 40 yards) and RB Bryson Ratliff, who returns, had his first 100-yard game of the year with 19 carries for 100 yards.

Did you know?: Foard is 1-2 at Patton, winning there in 2014 and losing there in 2016 and 2017.

Will says: Fred T. Foard wins

Myra says: Patton wins

Hobbs says: Patton wins

HIBRITEN (3-1) at BUNKER HILL (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

Big opportunity for the Bears as they continue getting better under head coach Patrick Clark.

If Bunker Hill can beat Hibriten it will have back-to-back wins over two teams that met in the third round of the playoffs a year ago, Bandys and Hibriten.

QB Daren Perry leads a Panthers offense that is still explosive Bears QB Carson Elder has been under-the-radar good.

This is Bunker Hill’s first game since going to Bandys and winning 12-9, so the Bears’ confidence level should be high.

Can’t overstate how big an opportunity this game is for the Bears… that back-to-back win would draw a lot of attention.

Last year: Hibriten won 55-0 last year in Lenoir when RB Gee Witherspoon ran for TDs of 30, 50 and 45 yards and Skylin Thomas returns a punt 95 yards for a TD for the Panthers.

Did you know?: The Bears last beat the Panthers in Claremont in 1999 (52-34) when RB Bryan Kennedy ran for a season-high 196 yards and RB Thomas Lineberger ran for 152 yards and three scores … RB Derrick Ogburn had 32 carries for 270 yards and two TDs in that game.

Will says: Hibriten wins

Myra says: Hibriten wins

Hobbs says: Hibriten wins

NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A

SOUTH CALDWELL (3-2) at WATAUGA (4-1), 7:30 p.m.

The Spartans and Pioneers began playing an intense rivalry game in the late 1970s and tonight’s game will be another step in determining how good South Caldwell is and can be.

South Caldwell has won 22 of the 39 rivalry games since 1980 but has not won in Boone since 2014.

Both teams have offensive weapons of note – RB Spencer Piercy and QB Avery Raynor for the Spartans while the Pioneers counter with QB Anderson Castle and RB Jaiden Bond.

Last year: Watauga won 46-12 in Hudson last season with two defensive scores in the mix and without Castle, who was out with an injury… QB Jackson Greene, the starter when Castle went out in the season-opening game, had nine carries for 131 yards and threw for another 87 yards for the Pioneers …Zach West and Grant Oliver returned interceptions for TDs for Watauga.

Did you know?: Since 1980, the Spartans are 10-9 against the Pioneers in Boone… The winning team in the last four battles scored 46, 48, 63 and 48 points.

Will says: Watauga wins

Myra says: Watauga wins

Hobbs says: Watauga wins

HICKORY (0-5) at McDOWELL (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

The Red Tornadoes pursue career win No. 274 for head coach Russell Stone, making a mountain trip to see if they can get their first win in Marion since 1992.

RB Cody Young sparks the Hickory offense, which has had to adjust to having four QBs play because of injuries, and RB Quantarian Moore leads the Titans.

Last year: Hickory beat McDowell 31-0 last season at Barger Stadium when Young ran for 108 yards and three scores…QB Bryce Stober added 289 passing yards, hitting WR Jaylen Harper eight times for 97 yards.

Did you know?: When Hickory won its last game at Marion in 1992, that win included a 45-yard field goal by Tommy Obst, his second of four that season and his longest.

Will says: Hickory wins

Myra says: Hickory wins

Hobbs says: McDowell wins

ST. STEPHENS (2-2) at FREEDOM (3-2), 7:30 p.m.

Freedom has won all six games it has played against the Indians, including all three in Morganton (outscored the Indians 122-6).

St. Stephens has a passing duo – QB Connor Williams and WR Zach Lee – that, when hot, can keep the Indians in any game.

Freedom has multiple weapons, all triggered by QB Jayden Birchfield, probably the best offensive skill position player this year in the Greater Hickory area.

For incentive, the Patriots can give Luke Little – a former football star at West Stanly – his 100^th career victory (99-61, 13^th year). The Patriots are 12-5 under Little, now in his second season at Freedom.

Last year: Freedom won 49-0 last year at St. Stephens when Birchfield threw for 320 yards to clear 1,000 for the season.

Did you know?: The Patriots had 10 players scoring points in last year’s win, including WR Desmond Caldwell scoring on a 66-yard pass and a 29-yard run.

Will says: Freedom wins

Myra says: Freedom wins

Hobbs says: Freedom wins