Top 3 RDU Games in Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season rolls on, and Prep Redzone is here to keep you updated. What should you pay attention to on Friday? Which games do we have our eyes on? Here, I'm breaking down three games in the RDU area worth paying attention to, and the players we're focused on in those matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 4 RDU Games to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Friendship @ Holly Springs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I haven't written much so far this season about Apex Friendship or Holly Springs, even if I had them both on my radar in the preseason. I think part of the reason is simply that neither team has had a magnificent individual performance or a marquee win. They've simply put together some solid team wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078753' first='Ethan' last='McGarrigan']</strong> has brought stability to the Apex Friendship offense, and the Patriots are getting a lot out of the run game as well, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607822' first='Jayden' last='Butler']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727998' first='Benjamin' last='Everett']</strong> leading a rushing attack that's averaging around 130 yards a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holly Springs is led by the physically impressive <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1883038' first='Lamar' last='Daniels']</strong>, a sophomore who already weighs over 200 pounds and runs a sub-4.5 40. He'll do a lot of the work for a potent ground attack. It's a veteran offensive line, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738128' first='Sam' last='Boswell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='573815' first='Brady' last='McHenry']</strong>. The Golden Hawks will try to control the clock and are content to win a low-scoring game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So is Apex Friendship, though. Both of these teams pride themselves on disciplined, hard-hitting defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1883123' first='Logan' last='Faulring']</strong> has been all over the place for the Patriots, flying to the ball and making clean stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect this one to be low-scoring, and it could come down to the final possession. A win on Friday would put Apex Friendship in a prime position for a high playoff seed heading into conference play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cardinal Gibbons @ Southeast Raleigh</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm quite curious to know what tier Southeast Raleigh belongs in. Are the Bulldogs a true contender in 7A, or just an above-average team to watch?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll find out against Cardinal Gibbons, a team that clearly belongs in the contender category. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='690769' first='Gannon' last='Jones']</strong> has been characteristically accurate, completing 70% of his passes against three great teams. He's also done more with his legs than we've seen in the past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663787' first='Brayden' last='Karras']</strong> is the primary target in the passing game, with over half of the team's receptions, though he hasn't yet reached the end zone in 2025. Both of these teams have been more balanced than I expected. Cardinal Gibbons' running game has been excellent, led by <strong>Noah Terry</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Southeast Raleigh, the passing game has impressed me more than I expected. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600197' first='Tydreke' last='Powell Jr'].</strong> has been excellent, averaging over 225 yards a game for a team I expected to struggle through the air. The stars are still running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251476' first='James' last='Adams'] IV</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman']</strong>, but the passing game has been balanced and weirdly explosive. Freeman has helped in that regard, taking a few short throws for huge games, but the Bulldogs have five receivers averaging at least 19 yards a reception, and six different players have caught touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The line play in this is so good. The individual matchup of the week might be sophomore left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='548207' first='Grayson' last='Williams']</strong> against the Cardinal Gibbons edge rushers. The Crusaders don't have a ton of sacks, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318716' first='Griffin' last='Cockerham']</strong> is an explosive edge rusher with the ability to get after the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup on the opposite side of the ball is great as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer']</strong> is one of the twitchiest rushers in the state. Cardinal Gibbons has a strong offensive line unit. The team that best protects its quarterback probably has a leg up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's also worth noting that Cardinal Gibbons LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044292' first='Skylar' last='Alston']</strong> against the Southeast Raleigh backs is another exciting matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like the Crusaders here, but if Southeast Raleigh makes this a close game or pulls off an upset, I'll have to view the Bulldogs as title contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Williams @ Heritage</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This North RDU matchup represents a "finding your level" of sorts. Neither Williams nor Heritage has played many close games. Williams sits 2-1 with blowout wins over overmatched teams, while Heritage suffered two lopsided losses to two of the better teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, this should be a close matchup between two similarly talented teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751583' first='Amarion' last='Richmond']</strong> has been excellent on the ground for Williams this year, racking up nearly 125 yards per game and has five touchdowns on the season. Tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665263' first='Braeden' last='Vetter']</strong> adds an explosive element to the offense, and he's running more routes down the field this season, scoring three times on just four receptions. Two-way player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='870445' first='Christian' last='Booth']</strong> adds some size and athleticism on the outside on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage will want to get the running game working to stay more balanced, and Friday could be an opportunity to do that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1425453' first='Seth' last='Rucker']</strong> leads a talented Heritage linebacking group. <strong>Derek Cooley</strong> has three interceptions already on a team that has excelled at forcing turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams will need to take care of the football to keep it close, but if the Bulldogs do that, we could be looking at an excellent game.</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 -->