3 Triad Games To Watch in Week 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing our Week 3 previews by moving to the Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point Triad. We've already looked at a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/top-3-rdu-games-to-watch-in-week-3/">few games in the RDU area</a>. Now, we're looking at a highly talented area of the state we haven't yet explicitly covered in a preview piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are three games to watch in the Triad on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 3 Matchups to Watch in the Triad</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eastern Guilford @ Southeast Alamance</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams are 2-0, but they've gotten there in different ways. Eastern Guilford has grinded out two 20-14 wins over solid teams while Southeast Alamance has easily dispatched inferior opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southeast Alamance has been impressive, thanks in large part to the accuracy of sophomore quarterback <strong>Tyler Jackson</strong>, who has thrown for 334 yards with more touchdowns (4) than incompletions (3). Tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='668611' first='Drew' last='Easter']</strong> is having his best year yet, with 136 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions, showing his ability to stretch the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easter has a sack on defense, as does two-way lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134073' first='Jaud' last='Goosby']</strong>. The Stallions are stout up front, and I'm excited to see them against a strong Eastern Guilford team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have squeaked out two one-score victories against teams I like. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897127' first='Javion' last='Majette']</strong> has been efficient this year, and it's been enough, given the two impressive performances put up by the defense. Eastern Guilford lost a lot from last year, but the Wildcats have started strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091508' first='Samari' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>Kam'ren Mitchell</strong> have been everywhere, racking up tackles, and not just the cheap kind down the field. The Wildcats have 10 tackles for loss and three picks as a defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle will be up front, and I think Eastern Guilford will feel good about its chances if the line can get pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mount Airy @ Watauga</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally, I try to keep these within the area I'm covering, but I'm intrigued by this cross-classification matchup as Mount Airy (which I'm considering part of the Triad, don't hate on my geography) travels nearly 100 miles to take on 6A power Watauga, and I wanted to fit it into our previews for the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Airy wants to control the clock and play stout defense, riding workhorse <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1531332' first='Taeshon' last='Martin']</strong>, something the Granite Bears have done well in two wins this season. The passing game has some bite this year too, though, as freshman <strong>Ahmad Francis</strong> throws a catchable ball and isn't afraid to push it on his rare throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebackers are the strength of the defense as Martin and <strong>Saul Oakley</strong> have each started well. They cause a lot of havoc, and play aggressively downhill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga has been as dominant through two games as any team in the state. The Pioneers have won by a combined score of 98-7 with 14 touchdowns and no turnovers. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895140' first='Cade' last='Keller']</strong> has been impressive, tossing six touchdowns, most of them to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868481' first='Evan' last='Burroughs']</strong>. The Duke baseball commit has been electric this season with over 350 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, plus another passing touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense hasn't been splashy, it's simply been suffocating. They've only created three turnovers, but the veteran unit doesn't give up chunk plays and is hard to beat deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga probably has too much firepower here, but I'm excited to see what Martin can do against such a tough defense. Don't be surprised if he gives them some problems.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oak Grove @ Salisbury</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's early, but this game looks crucial for both of these teams. With each of these traditionally strong teams sitting at 1-1, the loser will match its loss total from all of last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oak Grove offense is interesting in that it's as balanced as you'll find. The Grizzlies are averaging well over 300 yards a game, and scored 56 in Week 1, but only running back/receiver <strong>Jyden Barnes</strong> has reached 100 scrimmage yards for the season. He's explosive, and he's helped in both the pass and the run game. The Grizzlies are coming off a close 7-6 loss to Reagan in which they moved the ball and just couldn't cash in on some promising drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537897' first='Ben' last='Boulware']</strong> clogs up the middle, allowing the linebackers flow freely. <strong>Lathan Pruitt</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106598' first='Bradley' last='Byrd']</strong> each have 15 tackles on the year, and while they haven't forced many turnovers, the defense has been tough to break down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salisbury had a disappointing start to the season in a 21-0 loss to Forest Hills, but showed some resilience in a 40-36 thriller against North Rowan to get in the win column. The offense lost a lot and there have been some correctable growing pains with some young guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868523' first='Isaiah' last='Foxx']</strong> had a great game at quarterback last week, throwing for two touchdowns and running for 140 yards. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1868522' first='Xavier' last='Frasier']</strong> touched the ball three times in Week 1, but broke out with 100 yards and a touchdown against North Rowan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm still not sure what to make of a more veteran defense, other than that I'd expect them to improve as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove probably has too much size, but Salisbury has the skill position talent to pull this one off, if the Hornets can avoid mistakes and win the turnover battle, something they've failed to do in their first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Top Games in the Triad</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eastern Forsyth @ Grimsley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eastern Randolph @ Union Pines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwest Guilford @ Northern Guilford</strong></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 -->