Top 3 Triad Games in Week 5

<!-- 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 Triad (High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, for the uninitiated) 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 5 Triad Games To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Davidson @ Davie County</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Davidson is quietly 3-1 for the first time since 2020 and will go on the road to face a Davie County team that is coming off an overtime win to get to 2-2. Despite coming off a close loss to rival Central, North Davidson is confident, even on the road at a tough 7A team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Davidson running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1892496' first='Dominik' last='Stamatien']</strong> has been exceptional this season, going for over 100 yards in each of the Black Knights' first three games, scoring five touchdowns in that timeline. But Davie County may have the linebackers to slow down the running game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='918776' first='Elijah' last='Chaffin']</strong> and <strong>Dylan Miller</strong> can fly, making it difficult for opposing offenses to find room on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the War Eagles have one of the best wide receiver tandems in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1148569' first='Ethan' last='Driver']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646712' first='Noah' last='Dulin']</strong>. Driver has typically been the clutch route runner, but this year is operating down the field and thriving on contested catches more frequently. Dulin has long speed to get down the field, but is thriving as a shorter, YAC guy this season. He torched the Black Knights last year to the tune of 147 yards on just five receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a two-quarterback system, with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616211' first='Draeton' last='Nance']</strong> and senior <strong>Aiden Hall</strong> splitting snaps. It's one of the state's most prolific passing offenses, and if North Davidson can't slow it down, it'll be difficult for the Black Knights to keep up. But if they can get some stops, the Black Knights could have the running game to make this interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walkertown @ Reidsville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't think we'd be talking about a 2-2 Reidsville team, but here we are. Long-term, I'm not worried about the Rams after losses to teams in 6A and 7A. But they could have their hands full with Walkertown on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolfpack have been outright dominant offensively, averaging nearly 50 points a game behind quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305405' first='Jerrell' last='Crawford']</strong>, who is among the state leaders in passing. They've been balanced, though, averaging over 150 yards on the ground, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543812' first='Camereon' last='Cartlidge']</strong> is the star on defense, with over 40 solo tackles, including 15 for loss on the season. A <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-3a-preseason-all-state-team/">preseason 3A All-State</a> pick, Cartlidghe has improved as a blitzer this season and remains one of the top players in the class. <strong>Nasir Conrad</strong> has done excellent work on both sides of the ball as well, leading the team in rushing and picking off three passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville has had a few inconsistent moments as the Rams have played a tough non-conference schedule. Of course, stars <strong>Diontae Neal</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953008' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']</strong> have been excellent, and the emergence of sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149961' first='Braxton' last='Johnson']</strong> at quarterback has allowed Neal to move out to receiver and play more defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville wants to impose its will, but the running game has been inconsistent after the Rams lost a 1,500-yard rusher. Can the Rams find more balance on offense? If so, I think they'll get rolling and back to being one of the most dangerous teams in the state. But Walkertown's passing offense could make this into a shootout, and don't be surprised if the Wolfpack pass rush makes things difficult.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oak Grove @ Northern Guilford</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove could desperately use a win. The Grizzlies are 2-2 with two blowout wins and two losses by one point each. The Grizzlies dropped their last game, 27-26 in overtime to Davie County, but have played well this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106598' first='Bradley' last='Byrd']</strong> leads a strong defense against a Northern Guilford team that has largely played well, outlasting Reagan last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies can stop the run behind defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537897' first='Ben' last='Boulware'],</strong> and Northern Guilford wants to run the ball. That's the matchup to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301239' first='Amare' last='Akers']</strong> has been excellent this year, and the Nighthawks are 3-1 despite quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='657710' first='Jaxson' last='Kemp']</strong> not playing as well as he did last season. That should change, and this could be the game when the passing game breaks out.</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 -->