Email
Print
Week 10 football capsules
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 23, 2009
North Iredell Raiders at Statesville Greyhounds
Site: Greyhound Hollow
Records: North Iredell 1-7 (0-3 NPC); Statesville 2-6 (0-3 NPC)
Last year: Statesville scored two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to open up an 18-point lead on its way to a 35-24 victory over North.
Last week: North gave up a safety in the first two minutes of the game and lost 41-7 to Carson; Statesville allowed Kevin Parks to rush for 257 yards and six touchdowns in a 55-12 loss to West Rowan.
Outlook: This is a matchup of two teams desperately searching for a win. Statesville has lost four straight, and North Iredell has lost three in a row since getting its only win of the season against West Lincoln.
Neither team has broken through for their first NPC victory and time is ticking to get it done.
Statesville still has a realistic shot of reaching four wins and becoming playoff eligible, but the Greyhounds almost certainly need to beat the Raiders to reach that mark with games against South Rowan and West Iredell remaining.
The Greyhounds have given up 300-plus yards rushing in every game during the current losing streak, so their defense should welcome this game. The Raiders average fewer than 100 yards rushing per game.
Matt Ramseur probably needs to have a big outing for the Raiders to win.
West Wilkes Blackhawks at West Iredell Warriors
Site: Warrior Warfield, Statesville
Records: West Wilkes 2-6; West Iredell 3-5
Last year: Did not play
Last week: West Wilkes got crushed, 41-15, by Starmount; West Iredell gave up 21 unanswered points, turning a close game into a 35-6 romp for South Rowan.
Outlook: West Iredell should have more than enough in this contest to pick up its fourth win of the season and become playoff eligible.
It's worth noting that the teams share one common opponent, and West Wilkes didn't fare as well against Wilkes Central as West Iredell did. The Warriors won that game 31-16 in the season opener, while Wilkes Central demolished West Wilkes, 41-7.
West Iredell's defense, led by Omari Williams and P.J. Clyburn, have dominated weaker opponents, so two scores — maybe even one — should be enough.
Chavis Crosby could have a big night running the ball for West, and Sayer Robinson should be able to hook up with his talented receiving corps for some big gains.
Bandys Trojans at South Iredell Vikings
Site: Viking Valley, Troutman
Records: Bandys 7-1 (4-0 CVAC); South Iredell 4-4 (3-1 CVAC)
Last year: Did not play
Last week: Bandys hammered Maiden, 41-6; South Iredell rushed for 332 yards in a 30-0 victory over winless Draughn.
Outlook: A South Iredell win here would be a monumental upset.
Bandys comes into the game with its CVAC lead in tow having scored 41 points in three of its first four conference games. The one game the Trojans didn't was a 20-9 win over defending 2A state champion Newton-Conover.
Kyle Houser is an excellent quarterback with great accuracy. Trent Millsaps gives Bandys' offense a strong 1-2 punch with his running ability.
South Iredell's defense has been terrific all season and that unit will surely need a great game.
If the Vikings can avoid turnovers and manage the clock with a solid ground game led by Quincy Davenport and Quataye Smyre, they have a shot.
West Charlotte Lions at Lake Norman Wildcats
Site: Wildcats Den, Mooresville
Records: West Charlotte 5-3 (3-0 I-Meck); Lake Norman 6-3 (1-3 I-Meck)
Last year: Did not play
Last week: West Charlotte was idle; Lake Norman went from almost scoring the game's only touchdown to giving up the only score in a matter of seconds, as Vance returned a second-quarter fumble 98 yards for a TD in a 7-0 win.
Outlook: Stopping running back Jalen Simmons will be important for Lake Norman.
The Wildcats could use a big game from quarterback Chris Blanton, and that potential is there. The Lions' secondary has been suspect at times this season. They gave up 280 yards and four touchdowns passing in a 40-38 win over Mooresville.
Lake Norman would really benefit from having a healthy Jaquez Vanderburg. A dual threat running and receiving, Vanderburg saw limited action last week after missing the previous game with a high ankle sprain.
Hibriten Panthers at Mooresville Blue Devils
Site: Mooresville Stadium
Records: Hibriten 8-0; Mooresville 0-8
Last year: Did not play
Last week: Hibriten pounded South Caldwell 42-13; Hopewell doubled-up Mooresville, sending the Blue Devils to a 42-21 loss.
Outlook: The second-ranked 3A team in the state versus a team still searching for its first win — that's the scenario.
The odds are stacked against the Blue Devils.
Mooresville allows an average of 38 points per game, while the Panthers average scoring 41.
The Panthers are a well-balanced offensive power, led by running back Leo Guevara, who leads the team with 524 yards.
Quarterback Patrick O'Brien has played well lately and will need to have maybe his best game yet if the Blue Devils' defense doesn't rise to the occasion. O'Brien has thrown 10 touchdown passes in the last four games, and three of those contests he had more than 200 yards passing.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
