Week 4 Instant Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night of Week 4 is in the books, and there's plenty to dissect from across the state. We're always player-focused, so we'll have plenty of “top performer” or “things you may have missed” content later in the week. This isn't that. Instead, I'm focused on reacting to some of the night's biggest storylines while talking about a few key performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of high-profile non-conference matchups tonight. Check out my raw reactions to some of the biggest results in this instant analysis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 4 Instant Analysis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top 7A Teams Make Statements</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll probably go blue in the face talking about the talent at the top of the 7A class. While a couple of the top 7A teams were off on Friday, most of the top tier of the classification played strong competition, and more than a few of them made statements.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weddington stacks its non-conference every year and came into its matchup with undefeated Crest with a blemish on its record, courtesy of Myers Park. The Warriors struck early and often, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321106' first='Kelson' last='Tate']</strong> scored three times in the first half, once as a runner and twice as a receiver. The Warrior defense controlled the game, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704986' first='Jonathan' last='Manley']</strong> added a late touchdown in a blowout win over a talented Crest Chargers team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I previewed Cardinal Gibbons-Southeast Raleigh as <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/top-3-rdu-games-in-week-4/">one of the top games to watch</a> this week, and apparently, it didn't disappoint. I don't have much info on this one beyond a few tidbits here and there, but it looks like the Cardinal Gibbons front bowed up in a few key situations, forcing two turnovers on downs in a 30-22 win. I'm looking forward to diving into this one later this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence dispensed a strong Lake Norman team, 26-7, despite a slow start. After an early interception, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616126' first='Kaden' last='Craft'] </strong>hit <strong>Noah Jacobsen</strong> for a 30-yard touchdown. The Patriots then adjusted and pitched a shutout for the rest of the game. Lake Norman moved the ball, but Independence made some key stops throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street']</strong> settled in and had a strong game, and he was supplemented with production from the running backs. Street had multiple touchdown passes, and the front seven got involved with a handful of sacks. This is a strong Independence team that still seems to be settling in. That's scary for the Meck Power Six Conference, as I don't think they've played close to their ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not surprising that Cleveland beat New Bern, but I raised my eyebrows at the margin. After absorbing a long New Bern drive full of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood']</strong> runs, Cleveland forced a turnover on downs inside the 10 and mounted its own long drive. The Rams didn't score until the second quarter, and poured it on from there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert']</strong> has fully arrived, and he had a huge game, connecting over and over with <strong>Wyatt Caldwell</strong> early. He spread the ball around, hitting guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665459' first='Krisjon' last='Clark']</strong> and <strong>Porter Bennett</strong> as part of a four-touchdown night for the quarterback. Cleveland's regular-season winning streak is now at 56 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hough Holds Off Mooresville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Credit to Mooresville for the scheduling. This is what we hoped schedules could look like under the new eight-classification system. The Blue Devils started the season at Weddington, beat Sun Valley and A.L. Brown, then went to Hough to take on an undefeated Huskies team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And they nearly beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1593034' first='Jadarius' last='McCombs']</strong> had a rushing touchdown, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612118' first='Brody' last='Norman']</strong> added rushing and passing touchdowns, but Hough, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal']'s</strong> legs, had too much. Royal scored three times on the ground, including a long, 80-yard touchdown, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews']</strong> put the game out of reach with a pick-six in the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mooresville's ability to hang with some of these top teams bodes well for its chances in conference. The offense hasn't been overly explosive, but Norman's dual-threat abilities, combined with a strong running game, make the Blue Devils dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can say the same about Hough. The Huskies have played two close games against top teams from other states and blew out Independence. They've won three of their four by one possession, showing an ability to win tight contests and preparing themselves for a tough conference slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thrilling Night In Southeast North Carolina</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm trying to pay as much attention as I can to the Wilmington and Fayetteville areas, and nights like tonight show why. That part of the state had everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A darkhorse title contender making a statement? Hoggard says check.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thrilling shootout between top teams in the area? We got St. Pauls at North Brunswick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top team barely surviving against a team already with an upset to its name? Jack Britt hung on against Terry Sanford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about two rivals, each beating talented teams by multiple scores? Jacksonville and Northside each won big against quality teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one probably deserves a more thorough recap this week, but for now, here are some top scorers from those games:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709591' first='Yoshua' last='McBryde']</strong>, RB, St. Pauls</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonah Campbell</strong>, QB, North Brunswick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1851677' first='Jacob' last='Moore']</strong>, QB, Terry Sanford / <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671906' first='Gaven' last='Kraut']</strong>, WR/DB, Terry Sanford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1855413' first='Eric' last='Payne']</strong>, Ath., Jack Britt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong>, RB, Jacksonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534079' first='Rahlai' last='Anderson']</strong>, RB, Northside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other News &amp; Notes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sun Valley pulled off a significant Union County upset, beating Monroe, 28-7. The Spartans actually trailed 7-0 in the third quarter before rattling off four-straight touchdowns.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I nearly made the trip out to see Princeton at North Johnston, and now I'm a bit annoyed that I didn't. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616304' first='Teo' last='McPhatter']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655113' first='Kaleb' last='Pone'] </strong>dueled all night long in a 48-46 Princeton win. McPhatter had six touchdowns and six two-point conversions, including the game-winner with no time remaining. Pone ran for a couple and threw for a few more, as two of the best under-recruited athletes in the state put on a show for fans.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Asheville beat Asheville School in a battle of public vs. Independent, 39-21.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Providence Day made a statement in a 39-0 shutout win over Butler.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Christ the King scored a late TD to down Mountain Island Charter, 28-27. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394018' first='An'Dre' last='Ramseur Jr'].</strong> had a passing and rushing touchdown in the loss.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Obviously, I can't hit everything in this one piece, but what did I miss? Who do I need to write about this week? Let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->