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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Week 11 capsules
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Published: October 30, 2009
East Rowan Mustangs at North Iredell Raiders
Site: Raider Ravine, Olin
Records: East Rowan 7-2 (3-1 NPC); North Iredell 1-8 (0-4 NPC)
Last year: Matt Ramseur had an electrifying 64-yard punt return and the Raiders got two long touchdown passes from Weston Pharr in a 21-7 victory.
Last week: East Rowan suffered its first North Piedmont defeat of the season in a 41-7 loss to West Rowan; North Iredell played tough, but couldn't score on the goal line in the final minute of a heartbreaking 14-12 loss to Statesville.
Outlook: How will North Iredell bounce back from last week's agonizing loss? That's the big question here.
North outplayed the Greyhounds for large portions of the game, but trailed 14-10 late.
After getting to the goal line, Statesville stopped fullback Ben Haynes on consecutive plays with less than 30 seconds remaining to win it. Those are the games that stick with you longer than others.
The positive is that the Raiders rushed for 210 yards last week, while Josh Rodriguez surpassed the century-mark.
North might want to emulate East Rowan and try to keep its offense on the field. A fresh defense at the end could make a big difference.
Statesville Greyhounds at South Rowan Raiders
Site: James H. Donnell Jr. Stadium, China Grove
Records: Statesville 3-6 (1-3 NPC); South Rowan 7-2 (3-1 NPC)
Last year: Statesville won one of its many come-from-behind games when Keyon Harris caught a 9-yard TD in the fourth quarter as the Greyhounds won 24-21.
Last week: Statesville inched closer to being playoff eligible with a thrilling 14-12 win over North Iredell; South Rowan opened up a 32-0 lead and downed Carson 46-21.
Outlook: This isn't a good matchup for Statesville. The Greyhounds have struggled against the run, allowing an average 281 yards per game, and the Raiders are known for running.
Thomas Lowe and D'Andre Harris are the workhorses, but Quan Glaspy and B.J. Grant can also get into the act.
On the subject of the ground game, Statesville must have been happy last week with the performance of senior Keyon Harris last week. It's been an uneven season for Harris, but he toted the ball 17 times for 117 yards. It was his first 100-yard effort since Week 2.
South Rowan is still fighting for the NPC's No. 2 spot and a home playoff game, though. It's hard to see them slipping up here.
South Iredell Vikings at Newton-Conover Red Devils
Site: Gurley Stadium, Newton
Records: South Iredell 4-5 (3-2 CVAC); Newton-Conover 8-1 (4-1 CVAC)
Last year: Did not meet
Last week: South Iredell had a few miscues early and could never recover in a 30-0 loss to Bandys; The Red Devils had no problem with Draughn in a 41-6 win.
Outlook: South Iredell has athletes all over the field, but for some reason has had trouble getting to the edge in key games.
Quincy Davenport is making up for that by pounding it up the middle successfully, but sooner or later, the Vikings will need to break off a few long runs.
Especially in this game. Newton-Conover is the defending state champ and, with an option-based offense, keeps opponents off-balance.
Using multiple backs, the Red Devils have scored 37 rushing touchdowns this year while averaging 340 yards on the ground. The defense is stingy, too.
Cody Patterson might have to come up with one of his 20-tackle games to give the Vikings a fighting chance.
West Iredell Warriors at Carson Cougars
Site: Cougar Stadium, China Grove
Records: West Iredell 4-5 (1-3 NPC); Carson 5-5 (2-3 NPC)
Last year: West Iredell scored two quick touchdowns and pulled away to beat Carson 42-12.
Last week: The Warriors got a bit of a breather and smashed West Wilkes 45-0; Carson started slow and couldn't catch up to South Rowan and lost 46-21.
Outlook: If you schedule a 2-6 team from the 1A classification for Homecoming, you better win big.
West Iredell did, and that's important. The Warriors offense had some fun, and morale is high entering this week.
Success has come pretty easy for West Iredell against Carson in the past, but this is a tough matchup. The Cougars have a nice mix on offense and tackle well on defense.
L.J. Harper, who rushed for 130 yards and four scores last week, has definitely earned some more carries and could be a difference-maker.
Mooresville Blue Devils at North Meck Vikings
Site: Vikings Stadium, Huntersville
Records: Mooresville 0-9 (0-4 I-Meck); North Meck 5-4 (1-3 I-Meck)
Last year: Did not meet
Last week: Mooresville gave up more than 500 rushing yards in a humbling 62-21 loss to Hibriten; North Meck continued to struggle in conference play, losing to Vance 21-13.
Outlook: Well, the good news is that Mooresville gave up exactly 0 passing yards against Hibriten last week. The bad news is that Hibriten was so dominant on the ground, it didn't even attempt a pass.
Yes, last week's 62-21 win was the Blue Devils most crushing loss of the season.
Mooresville, though, still has two more games to play. Tonight, it draws a skilled North Meck team stuck in a rut.
The Vikings racked up at least 40 points in four of their first five games. North, though, has yet to hit the 20-point mark over the last three games, all losses.
The Blue Devils offense might be able to keep pace with North Meck.
If Patrick O'Brien gets time to throw, he's demonstrated nice accuracy and a good amount of zip.
The Devils defense, though, will have to make a couple of stops.
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