Players to Watch in Thursday Games: Week 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference play gets into full swing this week, and there are plenty of key matchups. Not only that, but it's the return of the Thursday night matchup, with around a dozen games being played on Sept. 25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, we're mixing it up a bit. Instead of diving into the X's and O's of the top matchups, I'm writing about a handful of guys I'm interested in. Which guys will rise to the occasion?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday Night Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1669834' first='Donovan' last='Hicks'], OT, Cleveland</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland once again looks like one of the best teams in the state. Sitting atop our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/?team_name=">Power Scores rankings</a>, the Rams hold the longest active regular-season winning streak in the state. Cleveland goes to 3-2 South Garner, looking to begin conference play with a win. There are intriguing matchups across the field, but I'm specifically intrigued by Hicks how handles the South Garner edge rushers, led by Notre Dame commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1156972' first='Ebenezer' last='Ewetade']</strong>. Expect South Garner to give a variety of looks on the defensive line. I want to see how Cleveland counters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1727145' first='Isaac' last='Barefoot'], LB, South Johnston</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Johnston hosts a talented Union Pines team with a balanced offense that can beat you in a variety of ways. The Vikings rarely turn the ball over, and the game plan changes week to week in terms of how they'll attack the defense. Barefoot is one of the more underrated off-ball linebackers in the 2027 class, with the ability to play as a box safety, come down to the line of scrimmage, or even flex into the slot. That versatility will be key if the Trojans want to avoid an 0-2 conference start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1610572' first='Josiah' last='Sandler'], LB, Union Pines</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union Pines has a versatile linebacker of their own, a 2027 guy who put in a ton of work in the offseason and has reaped the benefits early in 2025. A bit undersized, Sandler put a ton of work in the weight room, and that's allowed him to play closer to the line of scrimmage. You won't see a huge difference in the box scores from last year to this year, but he's making more plays at the line, and the types of tackles he's making are helping lead the charge for an improved Union Pines defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='865972' first='Jackson' last='Jenkins'], OC, Northern Nash</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I may have to feature Jenkins in this week's Freshman Friday because it's so rare to see a freshman playing center at a high level for a good team. He and the Northern Nash offensive line will have a test this week, however, as Fike has some hogmollies up front on the defensive line. Jenkins has had a great start to his high school career, but now it's conference play. Will he rise to the occasion?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mez Harris, QB, Hunt</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We didn't know much about Harris entering the season, but he's wowed with both his arm and legs early this season. He leads Hunt with over 11 yards per carry, and he's been solid as a passer as well. He and his Hunt team have the opportunity to get to 5-1, despite a difficult non-conference slate, and I'm honestly excited to follow along on a night with fewer games around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">CJ Kearney, WR, Bunn</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Kearney touches the ball, good things happen. The slender senior has six touchdowns on 16 catches this season, with almost 300 yards in the last two games alone. He'll have a final non-conference opportunity on Thursday against Beddingfield, and I'm interested to see if he can keep the hot streak going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Players to Watch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665959' first='Imarii' last='Givens']</strong>, LB, Clayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Davion' last='Hurst']</strong>, WR, Smithfield-Selma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580801' first='Joseph' last='Bailey']</strong>, DB, South Garner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076281' first='Cameron' last='Melvin']</strong>, DL, Cleveland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600181' first='Jamarae' last='Lamb'],</strong> RB, Wallace-Rose Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->