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Week 8 matchups
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Published: October 9, 2009
West Iredell Warriors at North Iredell Raiders
Site: Raider Ravine, Olin
Records: West Iredell (2-4, 0-2 NPC); North Iredell (1-5, 0-1 NPC)
Last year: West, led by Devin Miller's 145 yards and two rushing touchdowns, scored 19 unanswered points in the second half to beat North 33-14.
Last week: Both teams were shut out; West lost 32-0 to West Rowan, and North fell 63-0 to South Rowan.
Outlook: With their chances becoming fewer and fewer to reach four victories and be playoff eligible, this is essentially a must-win game for North and West.
It's likely to be a low-scoring affair, given the Raiders and Warriors have combined to average 21 points per game.
It could come down to special teams play, potentially a field goal by either West's Bryson Shepherd or North's Bradley Moore, both of whom are strong kickers.
East Rowan Mustangs at Statesville Greyhounds
Site: Greyhound Hollow
Records: East Rowan (6-1, 2-0 NPC); Statesville (2-4, 0-1 NPC)
Last year: Andre Shepherd rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns, leading Statesville to a 37-14 victory over East Rowan.
Last week: East Rowan pulled out a 29-26 win over Carson; Lincolnton scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the third quarter to blow by Statesville, 50-22.
Outlook: Can States-ville knock the Mustangs off their high horse?
East Rowan is the surprise team in the NPC having won six of its first seven games. The Mustangs rely on the run, and their ground attack is led by Quentin Sifford and Chris Moore.
If Statesville, which has allowed more than 300 rushing yards in each of its last two games, can contain that duo, the Greyhounds greatly improve their chances of winning this one.
South Iredell Vikings at Maiden Blue Devils
Site: Blue Devils Stadium, Maiden
Records: South Iredell (3-3, 2-0 CVAC); Maiden (3-3, 1-1 CVAC)
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: South Iredell raced to a 27-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 53-14 win over Bunker Hill; Maiden defeated West Caldwell 21-7.
Outlook: Maiden likes to throw the ball, with quarterback Matt Johnson hooking up primarily with Hashan Hopper (20 catches, 396 yards) and Nate Johnson (9 catches for 162 yards).
South has been fairly strong defending the pass this season. The Vikings have nine interceptions and haven't surrendered more than 96 yards through the air in any game.
South is favored to win its third straight and remain in the hunt for the CVAC title.
Lake Norman Wildcats at Hopewell Titans
Site: Titans Stadium, Huntersville
Records: Lake Norman (5-2, 0-2 I-Meck); Hopewell (3-3, 0-1 I-Meck)
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: Lake Norman lost 32-8 to I-Meck Conference championship frontrunner Mallard Creek; Hopewell did not play.
Outlook: The Wildcats have backpedaled since beginning conference play, losing their first two league games.
A 3-3 record in the I-Meck seems plausible for Lake Norman, but the Wildcats almost assuredly need to prevail in this one to reach that mark.
They'll have to stop running back Dondre Lewis, who averages 92 yards rushing and quarterback Cole Blythe, who averages 118 yards passing.
Lake Norman has the defense to do it.
Someone will have to step up on offense, though, if Jaquez Vanderburg, a multi-dimensional threat, can't play. He injured an ankle in the second quarter of last week's game and didn't return.
West Charlotte Lions at Mooresville Blue Devils
Site: Mooresville Stadium
Records: West Charlotte (4-3, 2-0 I-Meck); Mooresville (0-6, 0-2 I-Meck)
Last year: Did not play.
Last week: West Charlotte turned back North Meck 19-10; Mooresville trailed by three points at halftime but was shut out in the second half of a 33-13 loss to Vance.
Outlook: Will this be the week Mooresville gets in the win column?
Doubtful.
West Charlotte is a contender for the I-Meck championship and can ill-afford a gigantic slip up here if it wants to claim the league title.
The Blue Devils need to force and capitalize on turnovers to have a shot against West Charlotte, which is led by running back Jalen "Scoot" Simmons, who averages 104 yards per game.
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