Don's Football Cafe: Week 2

Don's Football Cafe Week 2

Open Friday Night & Serving Crow Nightly. This feature will take a look at the games involving the Greater Metro 4A, Central Piedmont 4A, South Piedmont 3A, Central Carolina 1A/2A, and Yadkin Valley 1A/2A Conferences.

Let's take a look at Week 2 of the 2022 North Carolina high school football season.

Don's Specials this week are:

In the Central Piedmont 4A, Rolesville (1-0) travels to East Forsyth (1-0).

It’s Filet Mignon time cooked up by Chef Steve Thomas is this week’s special of the week. The Eagles traveled to Rolesville last year and won 55-26. This is a huge early season matchup between two of the pre-season 4A powerhouses with both teams looking to contend for a state title. The Rams are led by a senior oriented group of players that include wide receiver Noah Rogers, an Ohio State commit and ESPN top 100 player, athlete Tamarcus Cooley, a NC State commit, defensive lineman Carsten Casady, defensive back Reggie Love, wide receiver Rory Jones, linebacker Blake Faulkner and defensive back John Brown. East Forsyth will be led by senior linebacker R.J. Brown, defensive lineman Nick Martin, who had a school record of 22 sacks last year, athlete Que'Sean Brown, who is a Duke commit and the conference offensive player of the year last year, quarterback Jaylon Aleaxnder-Raynor, defensive back Matthew Joines and wide receiver Jayvonte Conner.

Don's pick: East Forsyth 35, Rolesville 28

In the South Piedmont 3A, Concord (0-1) travels to Parkwood (0-1).

Parkwood has 9 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters returning this season. Key players for the Wolfpack are quarterback Cam Enos, who was all-conference, running back Wisdom Holmes, and punter Connor Benito. Last season, Concord was the SPC 3A champions and will have a new coach this year as Darren Shepard is taking over for Marty Paxton. Leading the Spiders will be senior offensive lineman Bryson Overcash, who was all-conference, offensive lineman Justin Garland, wide receiver Kobe Watts-Williams, slot Nylon Fair-Steele, and junior athlete Keyon Phillips.

Don's pick: Parkwood 24, Concord 21

In the South Piedmont 3A and Central Piedmont 4A, West Rowan (1-0) travels to Davie County (0-1).

West Rowan quarterback Luke Graham will be hooking up with wide receiver Peter Williams-Simpson as Graham's prime target. Williams-Simpson was all-county with over 1,000 receiving yards last year. Davie County must have to find another running back after losing Tate Carney to graduation to Wake Forest. Junior Markel Summers, who ran for 572 yards with 7 touchdowns will now be "The Man" The War Eagles will return a majority of their defense which was very young last year.

Don’s pick: West Rowan 28, Davie County 14

In the Greater Metro 4A, Charlotte Catholic (1-0) at Hickory Ridge (1-0).

Charlotte Catholic has many weapons again this year. Senior quarterback Sean Boyle, a returning all-conference player, has verbally committed to Charlotte. Also leading the Cougars will be offensive linemen Clinton Barlow and John Macusa, plus Notre Dame commit Jack Larsen at tight end. Hickory Ridge, who won the Greater Metro 4A championship will counter with UNC commit wide receiver Christian Hamilton and running backs Elijah Kendrick and Aaron Carey. Linebacker Jordan Wilkes, Kyle Perry and Luke Gilbertson will anchor the Defense.

Don's pick: Hickory Ridge 24, Charlotte Catholic 21

Week Two Schedules:

Greater Metro 4A

Mooresville at Hough

Lake Norman at North Iredell

Statesville at South Iredell

AL Brown at Sun Valley

Cox Mill at NW Cabarrus

West Cabarrus at Porter Ridge

Charlotte Catholic at Hickory Ridge

South Piedmont 3A

Central Cabarrus at JM Robinson

Concord at Parkwood

North Stanly at East Rowan

Mount Pleasant at Jesse Carson

Cox Mill at NW Cabarrus

North Rowan at South Rowan

West Rowan at Davie

Central Piedmont 4A

West Rowan at Davie County

East Forsyth at Rolesville

Glenn at Ragsdale

Mount Tabor at North Forsyth

Parkland OPEN

SW Guilford at RJ Reynolds

Reagan at Grimsley

Oak Grove at West Forsyth

Central Carolina 1A/2A

Wheatmore at East Davidson

Salisbury at Green Level

Ledford at West Davidson

North Rowan at South Rowan

South Davidson at Chatham Central

Walkertown at Lexington

Montgomery Central at Thomasville

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A

Central Cabarrus at JM Robinson

Mount Pleasant at Carson

North Stanly at East Rowan

SW Randolph at South Stanly

Christ The King at Union Academy

Albemarle at West Stanly

Steve Thomas contributed to this report.