Don's Football Cafe: Week 8
Don's Football Cafe
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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: Lake Norman (6-0; 2-0) at Hickory Ridge (4-3; 2-1)
Lake Norman has scored 232 points and has given up 44 points. The Wildcats return 14 starters with 8 on offense and 6 on defense. The running attack is anchored by senior offensive linemen Matthew Hynes and Liam Courtney. Those two are blocking for a stable of running backs in junior AJ Baker, freshman Mozes Morris and junior Trae Sechrest. Senior quarterback Jackson Garlick has thrown for 622 yards with 8 touchdowns and will be looking for wide receiver Jackson Miller. The defense will have juniors Heath Hamrick, Pete Geraffo, and seniors. Brayden Hartie and Jacob Wright to hold down the defensive side of the ball.
Hickory Ridge will be led by quarterback Caden Haywood, who has thrown for 16 touchdown passes with over 1600 yards. UNC commit Christian Hamilton and Jalen Harris are the main targets. Speedster Vincent Griffin, who has 8 touchdowns and Aaron Carey are the running back duo for the Ragin' Bulls. On the defensive side of the ball, Kyle Perry, Jordan Wilkes (Richmond commit), Luke Gilbertson, Jamari Rodgers-Freeman, Alexander Bailey and Layton Clouse are keeping opponents off the field.
Don's prediction: Hickory Ridge 35, Lake Norman 30
In the Central Piedmont: West Forsyth (2-4; 2-1) at Reagan (4-2; 2-1)
West Forsyth has scored 139 points and given up 158 points. Offensively, the Titans are led by quarterback Bert Rice, running back Marcus Wilson, and Caleb Davis pounding out the ground game. Senior wide receiver Kian Bailey and junior Jordan Stephens will be the top receivers. The offensive line of senior Ethan Krebs, junior Desmond Jackson, and sophomore Jalen Morris will be counted on to anchor upfront. On defense. senior defensive lineman Kaleb Benson, senior JD LeGrant, and junior linebackers Caleb David and Davion Eldridge anchor the defense.
Reagan has scored 154 points and has given up 162 points. The Raiders are anchored by a defense that returns 7 starters, 4 of which were all-conference players. The offensive line will be anchored by Sam Pendleton, a Notre Dame commit and Spencer Webb, a Duke commit. Senior quarterback Makhi Purvis will handle the offense with running back Tsion Saunders will be pounding out yardage. Wide receivers Jalil Rogers and Landan Callahan will be Purvis's main targets. On defense, defensive end Semaj Turner, who is committed to Duke, Nick Hall, Jeremiah Bailey, and Josh Lobs will be counted on to hold up the defense.
Don's prediction: Reagan 28, West Forsyth 21
In the Yadkin Valley 1A/2A: North Stanly (4-2; 1-0) at JM Robinson (5-1; 1-0)
North Stanly has scored 136 points and given up 171 points. Junior quarterback Chance Blake has thrown for over 500 yards. Senior running back Cameron Smith has rushed for 700 yards with 4 touchdowns and is Blake's top receiving target. On defense, Junior Hill, Jay Jackson, and Smith lead all tacklers. Senior defensive lineman DJ Watkins has 4 sacks.
JM Robinson has scored 208 points and given up 80 points. The Robinson defense is playing lights out and held conference foe Albemarle to 9 points last week. The Bulldogs have two highly recruited defensive linemen in senior Daevin Hobbs and junior D’Nas White. Zi’Kei Wheeler and Xavier Burnett will be a force this year at wide out.
Don prediction: JM Robinson 35, North Stanly 13
Week Eight Schedules
10/7/22
Greater Metro 4A
South Iredell at Hickory Ridge
Cox Mill OPEN
Lake Norman at Hickory Ridge
AL Brown at West Cabarrus
Mooresville at South Iredell
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus at East Rowan
NW Cabarrus at Jesse Carson
Concord at South Rowan
West Rowan OPEN
Central Piedmont 4A
Parkland at East Forsyth
Mount Tabor at Davie
West Forsyth at Reagan
Glenn at RJ Reynolds
Central Carolina 1A/2A
East Davidson (2A) at Salisbury (2A)
North Rowan(1A) OPEN
South Davidson (1A) at Thomasville (1A)
West Davidson (2A) at Lexington(2A)
Yadkin Valley 1A/2A
North Stanly (2A) at JM Robinson (2A)
Mount Pleasant(2A) OPEN
South Stanly (1A) at Albemarle
Union Academy (1A) OPEN
Steve Thomas contributed to this report.