Early Season Player Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season approaches and we shift our focus to play on the field, it's a great time to take a look at some player matchups we're excited about. This could be a defensive back versus a receiver, wuarterback versus a defense, lineman versus lineman or something else entirely. The season is less than three weeks away, let's take a look at what excites us most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Early Season Matchups to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='953008' first='Kendre' last='Harrison'] vs. Weddington Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providence Day and Weddington is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, even though it's the first game of the year. From a matchup standpoint, it just got even more interesting with the announcement of [player_tooltip player_id='953008' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']'s transfer to Providence Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'7" tight end is a matchup nightmare and simply can't be covered one-on-one. However, Weddington likes to run a unique three-safety defense that could present Harrison and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='896157' first='Zaid' last='Lott'] some issues. Weddington certainly won't try to consistently guard him one-on-one, and will likely try to bracket him with an athletic linebacker and a safety. [player_tooltip player_id='284098' first='Thomas' last='Davis Jr.'] can likely match Harrison at the line of scrimmage, but in a jump ball situation, even he's probably not physically up to the task.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all likelihood, it'll be a group effort for the Warriors. I'd expect one of their edge rushers to chip Harrison off the line, since [player_tooltip player_id='734802' first='Trajen' last='Odom'] and Aidan Harris are both physically capable of matching Harrison's physicality. From there, one of the several talented linebackers can pick him up with potential safety help over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The issue becomes whether Weddington will use their [player_tooltip player_id='1326528' first='Stellan' last='Schilder'] at safety or have to put him at corner against the Chargers, since they go four-deep with talented receivers. [player_tooltip player_id='800901' first='Gordon' last='Sellars'] and [player_tooltip player_id='919611' first='Jaylen' last='Himes'], in particular, are too talented to consistently be left one-on-one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'] vs. Rolesville's Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Harrison, [player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'] is a nationally-ranked recruit who has a tall task ahead of him early in the year. Rolesville has a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season when these teams met, Brandon put up modest numbers as Grimsley rode the running game to to a huge 63-45 win. This year though, Rolesville's defensive line is much improved. The headliner there is [player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes'], but [player_tooltip player_id='1195504' first='Jonathan' last='Hinnant'] can also get after the quarterback, putting extra pressure on Brandon to get the ball out early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolesville should be improved at linebacker as well and Grimsley shouldn't be able to run at will, meaning Brandon will have to use his arm more. That might not be an issue and could give fans some fireworks on August 30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Independence vs. Myers Park: Dueling Passing Attacks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Independence doesn't have any bona fide Power Four receivers, that entire passing offense is worth highlighting. [player_tooltip player_id='1357095' first='Prince' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1251856' first='Brian' last='Crowder'] are a pretty scary duo, despite not being huge. Both can win before and after the catch and are so difficult to bump off their routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, it doesnt hurt that quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='828612' first='Justin' last='Little'] is an excellent, accurate quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers Park has a stacked defensive backfield, led by 2026 corner [player_tooltip player_id='1309069' first='Camden' last='Portis'] and 2025 Catawba commit [player_tooltip player_id='1128511' first='Elijah' last='Barber']. [player_tooltip player_id='1262334' first='Josh' last='Hines'] is a solid safety prospect who might not yet be as heralded as the other two. They'll be tested in Week 2 against the shifty Independence receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side, we have a Power Four on Power Four matchup between Myers Park's [player_tooltip player_id='832280' first='Brody' last='Keefe'] and Independence's [player_tooltip player_id='402298' first='Nick' last='Reddish']. Reddish is primarily a safety, but he has elite coverage skills and length. Could Independence put him at corner to shadow Keefe? Keefe's size and strength are extremely difficult to counter, but if anyone has the physicality to match Keefe, it's Reddish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two passing attacks and defensive backfields should be incredibly fun to watch on August 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->