3 Key Eastern NC Matchups in Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're keeping our preview content rolling this week by looking at some matchups in the eastern part of the state. While I'll sometimes differentiate the RDU area from the rest of the east, I'm including the biggest metro area in this preview, as time got away from me this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are three key Eastern NC matchups in Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eastern NC Matchups: Week 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Havelock @ New Bern</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consider us shocked that Havelock not only lost, but were shut out in Week 1. The Rams' defense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612252' first='Christopher' last='Bispham']</strong> on the defensive line, had its moments, allowing only seven points, but the offense struggled to finish drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At least early, it looks like the loss of some top receivers and quarterback could hurt the Rams, but it's too early to press the panic button. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665917' first='Jayden' last='Howard']</strong> had some nice runs at running back, and former defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705638' first='Zyking' last='Patillo']</strong> played well as a spell back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bispham was pretty much unstoppable, with six tackles for loss and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For New Bern, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1092153' first='Terrance' last='McCormick']</strong> showed off his arm and pushed the ball down the field a bit more than we've seen in the past. Top running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood']</strong> was somewhat quiet, with an 86-yard, two-touchdown game. This team will be more balanced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Bears' front seven dominated last week, as defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144851' first='Braylen' last='Cooper']</strong> had two of the team's seven sacks and four of the team's 15 tackles for loss. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1068199' first='Zion' last='Wright']</strong> mans the middle of the defense and looks a step quicker than this time last season. While he didn't stuff the stat sheet, I heard great things about edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1795012' first='Amari' last='Reddick']</strong>'s performance as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a matchup between two of the better defensive lines in the state. Ultimately, I think New Bern can stay more balanced and thus ahead of the chains. I expect a low-scoring game, and I'm interested to see how Havelock reacts to last week's loss. I think the Bears can edge Havelock in a close one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams lost a ton of talent from last year's team; can they respond?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hillside @ Panther Creek</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you want a matchup of two underrated defenses, this might be your game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillside is coming off a 22-0 shutout of E.E. Smith, while Panther Creek won 16-7 at Holly Springs. The Panther Creek defensive line had five sacks, including two by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679986' first='Lacina' last='Coulibaly']</strong> and one by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678328' first='Jaysen' last='Oriol']</strong>, two of the better edge rushers in the area. Those two combined for eight of the team's 16 tackles for loss, and IDL <strong>Juarod Williams</strong> added three tackles for loss, including two sacks as the line lived in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillside suffocated E.E. Smith, forcing multiple turnovers, but mostly just preventing much movement at all. Offensively, the Hornets did plenty to win, but we've seen more from them in the past. Star do-it-all guy <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667013' first='Erick' last='Bonner']</strong> was held largely in check offensively, though he had a long punt return, while it looks like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656591' first='Tre' last='Belcher']</strong> won one of the more intriguing quarterback battles of the offseason. Don't be surprised if you see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656584' first='Xavier' last='Stevenson']</strong>, especially near the goal line, as his legs are a threat there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets have one of the more interesting backfields in the state, with both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153173' first='Jaylen' last='Starks']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661174' first='Jacori' last='Douglas']</strong>. Defensively, we don't have stats yet, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707958' first='Ja'Don' last='Lillie']</strong> is a guy to watch at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Panther Creek, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658599' first='Travis' last='Woodard']</strong> isn't the flashiest running back, but he breaks a lot of arm tackles and falls forward. He's looking to build on a 100-yard senior debut. I'm intrigued by QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1703243' first='Ethan' last='Carpenter']</strong>, a kid with good size and a strong arm. He doesn't have to be a star to help on a defense and ball control team, but he can certainly raise the ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't love this matchup for Hillside, with its offense built on speed. Panther Creek has the defensive line to create pressure, linebackers who flow sideline-to-sideline, and one of the few cover guys in the state who can match up with Bonner (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372991' first='Darius' last='Smith']</strong>). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That being said, it's a matchup I'm paying particular attention to this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->