Week 2 Friday Night Instant Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fun Week 2 is--for the most part--in the books. With big upsets, statement wins, and nailbiters, Week 1 had a bit of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're always player-focused, so we'll have plenty of “top performer” or “things you may have missed” content later in the week. This isn't that. Instead, I'm focused on reacting to some of the night's biggest story lines, while talking about a few key performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With over 150 games across the state, what's my instant reaction?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 2 Instant Analysis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Creek Makes A Statement</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two years of tearing up junior varsity defenses, Middle Creek quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> is doing the same to varsity defenses with three more touchdowns in Week 2 against Willow Spring a week after he threw for two touchdowns in a win last week against Fuquay-Varina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, as good as Sevilla has been, he's not the only top performer. He has a great rapport with transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong>, who led the team in receiving last week and had a few long catches Friday night. The running game is balanced, partially because of the passing threat, and it's a big part of the reason the Mustangs have scored over 35 points in each of the first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense has been solid as well, as <strong>Ayden Hoffler</strong> had a pick-six Friday, a week after the Mustangs had three interceptions. Edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong> has been as advertised as a pass-rusher and an edge defender against the run. There's a ton of talent on this team, and while it's probably a bit early to crown them a true contender, they're pushing for that upper echelon in a wide-open 6A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Myers Park Downs Weddington</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to start talking about this Myers Park defensive line as one of the best in the state. Even without <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002307' first='Rodney' last='Dunham']</strong>, the Mustangs' defensive front has been unblockable. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987160' first='Damaad' last='Lewis']</strong> has been as advertised after a transfer, picking up pressure after pressure with several sacks as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smaller guys on the outside (on both sides of the ball) have been great as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671887' first='Chaz' last='Portis']</strong> had two receiving touchdowns, including a long one in the first half, while his brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1309069' first='Camdin' last='Portis']</strong> had a key pick in the second half. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301262' first='Josh' last='Falzarano Jr'].</strong> had a couple of big runs as well, including a 46-yard TD </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weddington moved the ball on the ground with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291000' first='Anthony' last='Barrino']</strong> doing most of the damage in the first half. After halftime, however, the lack of a consistent passing game showed. Weddington had four turnovers and a missed field goal in the second half, living in Myers Park territory, but struggling to score points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it mattered, Myers Park's defense stood up, and that unit looks as good as any unit in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">NCISAA-NCHSAA Split Big Games</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the biggest games of the night were NCISAA-NCHSAA showdowns. In one, Providence Day went to Rolesville in a game I <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/3-cross-classification-matchups-to-watch-week-2/">previewed earlier this week</a>. I thought Providence Day would come in and win, but I didn't think the Chargers could do <em>that</em> well, winning 38-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't get much in terms of top performers in this one, but I should have more later this week. I'm waffling back and forth about whether I'm concerned about Rolesville after back-to-back big losses, albeit both to top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other one was between Charlotte Catholic and Charlotte Christian. With those two defenses, I'm not sure anyone is surprised by a low-scoring affair, but I was impressed with the Cougars against a strong Charlotte Christian team. The Catholic defense, led by Army commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368127' first='Dominic' last='Basrawala']</strong> at edge rusher, created constant havoc, with several sacks and four takeaways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Charlotte Christian defense, led by a trio of great linebackers, bowed up in the red zone, forcing field goals, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706428' first='Aidan' last='Flynn']</strong> was perfect on the night, hitting three field goals that ended up being the difference in a 16-7 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other News &amp; Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A week after <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671861' first='Grant' last='Lawless']</strong> went off with over 500 total yards and eight touchdowns, East Lincoln was far more balanced in a 55-24 win over Providence. Seven players shared the eight touchdowns for East Lincoln, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607779' first='Jaxon' last='Dollar']</strong> scored once on each side of the ball. It was close at the half, but the Mustangs rode a huge third quarter and a couple of defensive scores against a desperate offense late to win. I'm really liking what I'm seeing from the Mustangs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Richmond Senior beat rival Scotland, 36-21, behind a steady running game and strong defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687751' first='Ty' last='Covington']</strong> had a big pick-six and another solid game from quarterback <strong>Evan Hodges</strong>. He doesn't have to give them 250 yards a game, but it looks like that's what he's doing. It was never quite as close as the score suggests, as freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858055' first='Mike' last='McLean']</strong> scored another touchdown this week late to close the gap.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It looks like another fun night in Cleveland County, as Shelby-Crest and Kings Mountain-Burns went down to the wire. Crest and Kings Mountain each moved to 2-0, while Burns and Shelby exited inter-county play as two of the state's better 0-2 teams. Crest's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick']</strong> had a big night, as did Kings Mountain running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600186' first='Jarlon' last='Drye']</strong> and Burns tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis']</strong>.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Greater Neuse River 7A Conference continues to look elite. Six of the seven teams won by at least 25 points, several over high-quality opponents. I may deep dive into that conference this week, because I wouldn't be surprised to see three or four of those teams make runs in the playoffs, and any team that makes it out of that conference is a threat.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Obviously, I can't hit everything in this one piece, but what did I miss? Who do I need to write about this week? Let me know on Twitter, (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->