Charlotte Power Scores Games Of The Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The updated Power Scores for the Charlotte area are in, and well.....there's still some work to do, but we'll save that analysis for next week. The scores are getting better, though, and we have some games that should be competitive, and the delta between team scores does a pretty good job of reflecting that. With that being said, let's dig into some game previews here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mallard Creek (90.09) vs. West Charlotte (84.17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game has played out like a heavyweight fight over the past two years. Two years ago, the Lions had a major goalline stand to preserve a one-point victory at Mallard Creek. Last season, a wild brawl at West Charlotte cleared the stadium, and the Mavericks had to hang on for a very close victory. The power scores are still punishing West Charlotte for two close losses to state title contenders, but it is what it is. [player_tooltip player_id='338729' first='Khalil' last='Price'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1321007' first='Jamouri' last='Nichols'] have been two of the key players so far this season for their respective teams. Price had the game-winning touchdown last week for Mallard Creek, which scored a huge win over previously undefeated Cardinal Gibbons. Nichols, outside of one game where he played through the flu, has been outstanding for the Lions' offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two key players to watch in this one are [player_tooltip player_id='225399' first='Anthony' last='Cook'] for Mallard Creek and [player_tooltip player_id='1170182' first='Elijah' last='Littlejohn'] for West Charlotte. If Cook and the Mavericks' offensive line can move the line of scrimmage in the running game, Mallard Creek will have a major advantage. If Littlejohn can come off the edge and make a game-changing play or two for West Charlotte, forcing a turnover, I really like the Lions' chances. West Charlotte has to make Mallard Creek play from behind. The rain will slow down the track some, but both of these teams are very athletic, so it's not a huge factor here. I will be at this game in person and ready to watch another good one. <br><br><strong>Butler (77.01) at Chambers (82.61)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these traditional Charlotte powers are coming in on losing streaks: Butler, having lost three in a row, and Chambers, having lost two in a row. Da'mourion Thomas-Wright is the key player for Butler - they took a lot of sacks in their loss last week, and they've got to get their star running back on track early here. Chambers' key player is QB [player_tooltip player_id='402307' first='Zyon' last='Hailey'] - in their two losses, both against good defensive teams, the offense has struggled. The Cougars have to get Hailey in the flow and use his dual-threat abilities to control time of possession here. Homecoming for the Cougars, so they will want to put on a good show for the home crowd. <br><br><strong>Olympic (79.19) at Central Cabarrus (78.21)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The scores got this one right. I think these teams are on a similar level, and they're both coming off opening conference game wins. Star QB [player_tooltip player_id='1228977' first='Chance' last='Cato'] is back in action for the Trojans, and he's the key player here, as I think with last week's game under his belt, the Trojans may open up the offense a little more this week. For Central Cabarrus, I think defense is the key, and big lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1788150' first='Infinite' last='Morrow'] has to help control the line of scrimmage against a team that rushed for over 400 yards on the ground in their win over Cox Mill. <br><br><strong>Rocky River (74.83) at Providence (77.16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these schools have similar 2-3 records, but I think the scores are a little misleading here. Rocky River has beaten Berry and Garinger, the two worst programs in Charlotte, according to my weekly rankings of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Providence is coming off a huge victory over Butler, the first time the Panthers have defeated the Bulldogs since 2005, so their confidence is sky high right now. They did it with a new starting QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1321018' first='Luke' last='Meador'], who replaces [player_tooltip player_id='620328' first='Jackson' last='Debe']. Luke has grown up in the program and knows the offense, and the players have full confidence in his ability. Rocky River has to play better on defense, and star ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1687738' first='Tyrell' last='Barze'] will start there in the secondary and play running back. He's the Ravens' best player, and he will need to have a huge night if they're going to get to .500. <br><br><strong>Cox Mill (72.63) at Harding (72.18)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think the scores did a pretty good job in this matchup. Both teams are 1-3, and they both beat current two-win teams in Rocky River and East Mecklenburg, respectively. Both teams are also coming off blowout losses to Olympic and AL Brown, respectively, in conference play. Expect the Rams to try and come out and run the ball right at the Chargers, so linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1851677' first='Jacob' last='Moore'] is a key player for them, as they have to find a way to play the run much better overall. For Harding, ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1788171' first='Jaquavion' last='Gaffney'] will be key. The Chargers can be creative offensively, and Gaffney's speed and athleticism will be important in the middle of the field defensively for the Rams. It is homecoming for the Rams, so they may have some extra juice in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->