Week 1: Top 3 Games in RDU

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 is here! Friday, teams all across the state will square off as the regular season has finally arrived. In what I hope will be a new (and popular) weekly feature, I'm breaking down some of the best matchups across the state by region. Here are three key Week 1 matchups in the Raleigh-Durham area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Week 1 Matchups in RDU</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rolesville vs. Mallard Creek</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, this early non-conference matchup features a team from outside the triangle, but it has to be included, given how big the matchup is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mallard Creek is getting back to its winning ways while Rolesville enters the season as one of the top teams in not only the state, but the entire country. Transfer quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771299' first='Kaleb' last='Williams']</strong> is probably the guy I'm most intrigued by for the Rams. If he can be as good this year on a top team as he was last year, the Rams should be favorites to become the first 8A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolesville's receiver rotation will be interesting to track. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222913' first='Anthony' last='Roberts']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832437' first='Gavin' last='Waddell']</strong> are the primary targets, but we have multiple other receivers ranked, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947852' first='Caleb' last='Kearney']</strong> as a top 2027 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192754' first='Caden' last='Jones']</strong> as a potential sleeper. The Rams also have some intriguing tight ends in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832422' first='Davis' last='Brown']</strong> and transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663808' first='Malachi' last='Harris']</strong>, as well as rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616145' first='Henry' last='Evans']</strong>. And of course, don't forget about running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378957' first='Amir' last='Brown']</strong>, who takes over as the primary back after finishing second on the team with 93 carries for over 600 yards last season. He's a true pass-catching threat as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the front seven is stacked, with brothers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825499' first='Jayden' last='Griffin-Haynes']</strong> as the headliners. The key difference-maker, in my opinion, is edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1677119' first='Jayden' last='Broadie']</strong>, who comes over from rival Millbrook. I wonder if his presence takes some pressure off of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes']</strong> and allows the long edge rusher to put up improved sack totals this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also See: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/10-to-know-class-of-2028-breakouts/">10 Breakout Candidates in the 2028 Class</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As good as that front was last season, it didn't result in many sacks and I think Broadie (and fellow edge rushing transfer <strong>Jaden Colston</strong>, who finished last season with seven sacks) could help change that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And of course, don't forget about star safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='946850' first='Marquis' last='Bryant']</strong>, who is the leading returning tackler on the team. His willingness to come downhill really helps in the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line will have its hands full with the Mallard Creek offensive line, a young, but talented unit. The Mavericks have two of our top six 2028 offensive linemen in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600577' first='Austin' last='Ballou']</strong> and <strong>Achraf Ouradi</strong>, and the youngsters will need to rise to the occasion Friday. It's an extremely inexperienced team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892288' first='Perry' last='Justice']</strong> isn't just the leader at quarterback, he'll play safety as well, giving the Mavericks five or six returning starters, depending on how you're counting. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338729' first='Khalil' last='Price']</strong> is the offensive star and look for the Campbell commit to get the ball early and often. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892289' first='Deuce' last='Midgett']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333099' first='Askia' last='Mustafa']</strong> are the experienced linebackers, but there's some excellent younger talent. Edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616534' first='Geremiah' last='Mobley']</strong> and interior defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616116' first='Michael' last='Heard']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272102' first='Jaiden' last='Cuff']</strong> should see increased roles. This might not be the year for the Mavericks, given the schedule and the inexperience, but this team will be here for a long time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm just curious to see how much they can push the reigning champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Creek vs. Fuquay-Varina</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really intrigued by this kickoff matchup between two teams looking to take the next step. Last year, Fuquay-Varina beat Middle Creek in the first game before stumbling to a 3-7 record, while Middle Creek bounced back to win six of nine to end the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing I'm looking at is how highly-anticipated quarterback starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> responds for the Mustangs. He's taken a route that has almost gone the way of the dodo in today's climate: He was a two-year JV starter, who excelled on that field while patiently waiting for the starting job. He's a gunslinger and we should see some fireworks from him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Fuquay-Varina side, sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421052' first='Matthew' last='Ziglar']</strong> is the guy at running back now, after being highly effective on relatively few touches last season. What can one of our top 2028 running backs show?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek is strongest on its front seven. Edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong> had a huge offseason and that extended into some of the preseason action. Expect a huge year from him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809409' first='Cullen' last='Hunt']</strong> provides strength inside, while linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607063' first='Cody' last='Wicker']</strong> was a tackling machine last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/august-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-class/">Also See: Behind the Scenes of the 2028 Class</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604115' first='James' last='Han']</strong> might be my favorite undersized lineman in the state while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658593' first='Jayden' last='Spencer']</strong> is the workhorse at running back. The Mustangs have to replace a 1,000-yard receiver, but transfer playmaker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong> had nearly 600 last season and brings a real deep threat to the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm a huge fan of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129856' first='Jackson' last='Bordelon']</strong>, the Fuquay-Varina linebacker with both size and speed and think he could be among the region's tackle leaders this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think both of these teams will be improved and I'm especially high on Middle Creek this season. If Sevilla is the real deal, the Mustangs are a threat in a loaded <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/triangle-six-6a-7a-preview-predicting-every-teams-mvp/">Triangle Six 6A/7A conference</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Friendship vs. Broughton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apex Friendship and Broughton have a lot in common this season. Both are quality teams in the only two exclusively-8A conferences who will look to stack wins in the non-conference ahead of daunting conference slates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And both are reloading on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also See: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-8a-preseason-all-state-team/">8A All-State Team</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broughton loses its starting quarterback and top five receivers. Apex Friendship loses its signal-caller, a 2000-yard rusher, and its top three receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, this game isn't as heavy with guys I know a ton about. Instead, I want to see who steps up. Can Broughton running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658606' first='Xavier' last='Howard']</strong> build on his 600-yard 2024? Will <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078753' first='Ethan' last='McGarrigan']</strong> start and play to his immense potential at quarterback for Apex Friendship?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's certainly some talent here. We like what we've seen of Apex Friendship receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359900' first='Shondell' last='Smith Jr.']</strong> and Broughton defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709363' first='Davis' last='Cunningham']</strong> flashed last season. Apex Friendship's linebacker duo of <strong>Sam Clodfelter</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743751' first='Tyler' last='Goebbel']</strong> could be the difference in this one, as they lead an experienced unit in a game with a bunch of new faces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I look to get a better read on these teams and update my priors, I think this game will be a great measuring stick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Who should we preview next week? Let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->