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A closer look at Week 1 football matchups
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Published: August 22, 2008
North Iredell Raiders at South Iredell Vikings
Site: Viking Valley, Barium Springs
2007 records: North Iredell 1-10; South Iredell 5-7
Last year's meeting: South Iredell's Anthony Thwaites rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 21-10 victory.
Outlook: Both teams implemented new offensive schemes during the offseason, and whichever squad is further along in development will have a big advantage.
This is Shannon Ashley's first game as Raiders head coach, and he wants to pound the ball while running the triple option. South's defensive line is stout and experienced, but North's running backs could find some breathing room at the second level.
In South's win last year, all three Vikings touchdowns were longer than 40 yards, and the big-play potential is still there. The Vikings have some speed in the backfield and will try to get to the edge.
Led by Josh McMahan, the Raiders appear to have a strong group of linebackers, which will have to keep South's running backs from getting to the outside.
Bandys Trojans at Mooresville Blue Devils
Site: Mooresville Stadium
2007 records: Bandys 6-6; Mooresville 7-5
Last year's meeting: The Blue Devils recovered four Bandys fumbles and compiled 230 rushing yards in a 22-0 victory.
Outlook: As will probably be the case most of the season, Mooresville will be the bigger team on both sides of the ball. That bodes nicely for Jjshaun Pinkston, the leading returning rusher in the county.
Pinkston will get plenty of touches and quarterback Nathan Abraham will also have the chance to make plays on the ground in option sets.
The Trojans return just four starters, but two of them are the dangerous combination of quarterback Kyle Hauser and wide receiver Seth Cranfill. Hauser tossed 26 touchdown passes last year, and Cranfill caught nearly 50 passes.
Like Mooresville, Bandys has a rich football history, and the Trojans will show up ready to play.
Lake Norman Wildcats at North Lincoln Knights
Site: Knights Stadium, Pumpkin Center
2007 records: Lake Norman 3-8; North Lincoln 10-4
Last year's meeting: Lake Norman took to the air early and often to defeat the Knights 28-13. Tyler McRorie caught seven passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
Outlook: North Lincoln will see an entirely different Lake Norman offense. The Wildcats torched North Lincoln through the air in 2007, but will opt for a more physical approach this season.
Eric Manser will get a lot of touches at running back, and he'll be running behind a bigger offensive line. More Wildcats players will play both ways this year, too, so fatigue could be an issue in this opening game.
North Lincoln coach Matt Beam has built a strong program and returns some experience.
Brad Mosteller is back at quarterback, and running backs Kenny Raymer, Jordan McClain and Mitchell Gates give the Knights a balanced scheme.
West Iredell Warriors at Forbush Falcons
Site: Falcons Field, East Bend
2007 records: West Iredell 9-4; Forbush 1-10
Last year's meeting: Bobby Morrison shredded the Falcons defense, rushing for 274 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries in West's 51-0 victory.
Outlook: This looks to be a good first-game opponent for West Iredell, which graduated approximately two-thirds of its starters and several key reserves.
The Warriors had no trouble with Forbush the last three years, going 3-0 and outscoring the Falcons 120-30.
Quan Rucker will make his debut as starting quarterback, and Rucker, receiver P.J. Clyburn and running backs T.J. Daniels and Devin Miller should all be able to make plays against a slower Falcons defense.
Forbush has focused on playing young guys in recent years and returns several contributors, including quarterback Devin Sparks and five running backs.
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