Don's Football Cafe Week 6

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.

Don's Specials this week are posted below:

In the Greater Metro 4A: AL Brown (3-1 0-1) vs Lake Norman (4-0 0-0)

AL Brown lost to a very good Hickory Ridge team 45-24 last week. The Wonders were leading at the half 17-13 before falling to a second half rally by Hickory Ridge. QB Ashnah Lowery (59% completion) has plenty of good receivers this year in Gerard Evans, Xavier Chambers and Derick Brazil. The Wonders have a legit kicker in Ty Woods. Woods had a 45-yard field goal against Hickory Ridge along with making all extra points. The Wonders have a stable of running backs with Mekhi Herron and Jamere Robinson. AL Brown's defense is led by DE Jack Schultz, Jamere Robinson, Chaz Knox, Nyki Celestine, and Jadyn Hyatt. Knox is leading the team in sacks, Hayden at MLB is averaging 7 tackle a game, Schultz has 10 QB hurries and Robinson and Celestine are averaging 6 tackles a game.

Lake Norman is coming off an open date. The Wildcats return 14 starters with 8 on offense and 6 on defense from a group that went 8-4 and lost in the second round in 2021. They have scored 169 points and only gave up 21 points. The combined record of teams Lake Norman has played is 5-12. Don't let that fool you as the Wildcats are a very dangerous team. Senior QB Jack Garlick (63% completion) has 7 touchdown passes. His favorite receiver is WR Cameron Neal. Running back Trae Sechrest is the leading rusher. The O-line has senior Liam Courtney, who was All-County last season, returning to anchor the line. Defensively, the Wildcats are led by Jack Baker, Heath Hamrick, Ethan Cameron, and Jacob Wright.

Don's prediction: Lake Norman 31 AL Brown 28

In the Greater Metro 4A: Hickory Ridge (3-2 1-0) at Mooresville (3-1 1-0)

Hickory Ridge has played a stellar non-conference schedule by playing ranked Charlotte Catholic and 2-time 4A state champions Chambers. These two teams have given the Ragin' Bulls their two losses. Coming off a win on the road against AL Brown, Hickory Ridge will now play at Mooresville. QB Caden Haywood has 14 touchdown passes with UNC commit Christian Hamilton and Jalen Harris being his main targets. Both Harris and Hamilton have 5 touchdown catches. Speedster Vincent Griffin and Aaron Carey are the running back duo for the Ragin' Bulls. On the defensive side of the ball Kyle Perry, Jordan Wilkes, Luke Gilbertson, Jamari Rodgers Freeman, Alexander Bailey and Layton Clouse are keeping opponents off the field.

Mooresville is coming off a high scoring Greater Metro 4A conference opener by winning 44-30 over Cox Mill. The only loss was to ranked Hough 34-6. Mooresville's running attack has been the most productive this year led by RB Jawarn Howell and Kyan West Moreland. QB Jamere Cherry has 4 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions with 488 yards. In four games, Mooresville has scored 129 points while giving up 106.The defense is led by sophomore Jamari Farmer, juniors Caleb Edstrom, Xavier Booker have been the stand outs.

Don's prediction: Hickory Ridge 33 Mooresville 24

In the Central Carolina 1A/2A: Thomasville (3-1 1-0) at North Rowan (4-1 1-0)

Thomasville is coming off a loss to nemesis Salisbury 35-12. The Bulldogs are looking for their first win in the Central Carolina 1A/2A conference. The Bulldogs have scored 90 points and the defense has given up 50 points. Thomasville on offense is led by QB CJ Dickerson and running back Shamon Smith. Dickerson has two principal targets in Elliott Graham and Janhri Luckey. Juniors LB Dameyon Gatherings and DL Matthew Quick will be leading the Bulldogs defense.

North Rowan is coming off a Central Carolina 1A/2A conference win against 1A) South Davidson. The Cavaliers are at home against a strong 1A Thomasville Bulldog team. North Rowan has scored 208 points while giving up 62 points. The only loss was to county rival West Rowan 42-28. North Rowan QB Sophomore Jeremiah Alford will be looking for his favorite receiver Amari McArthur, who was All-Conference last year. Running backs Senior Khalil Davis, Juniors Jae'mias Morrow, and Kh'Ron Miller will handle the running game. The Cavaliers have a few players that play both sides of the ball in Amari McArthur, Khalil Davis, Jae'mias Morrow, Kh'Ron Miller. LB Bryson Crisco, who was all-conference last year will be the main stay at LB. North Rowan will be looking for revenge after last year's defeat to the Bulldogs 59-18.

Don's prediction: North Rowan 31 Thomasville 27

Week Six Schedules

9/23/22

Greater Metro 4A

South Iredell OPEN

AL Brown at Lake Norman

West Cabarrus at Cox Mill

Hickory Ridge at Mooresville

South Piedmont 3A

Concord at Central Cabarrus

Jesse Carson OPEN

NW Cabarrus at East Rowan

West Rowan at South Rowan

Central Piedmont 4A

Davie County at East Forsyth

Mount Tabor at RJ Reynolds

Parkland at West Forsyth

Reagan at Glenn

Central Carolina 1A/2A

East Davidson (2A) OPEN

West Davidson (2A) at Salisbury(2A)

South Davidson (1A) at Lexington(2A)

Thomasville (1A) at North Rowan(1A)

Yadkin Valley 1A/2A

JM Robinson (2A) OPEN

North Stanly (2A) OPEN

Albemarle (1A) OPEN

South Stanly (1A) OPEN

Union Academy (1A) at Mount Pleasant(2A)

Steve Thomas contributed to this report.