Weekly Recap: Week 10 Chaos Ensues

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week was crazy for me amidst a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">rankings update</a> and some late nights. So, while I followed the games on Friday night, I didn't have time to write my typical instant analysis. Instead, I'm giving readers a weekly recap after a wild and fun Week 10. Obviously, a lot went down, so what stuck out as the most important results of the week? Which players told the story of Week 10?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Weekly Recap: Three Things I Saw in Week 10</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Ashbrook is the Real Deal</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook may have been the undefeated team on the field Friday, but that didn't mean I expected the Greenwave to win against 5A power <strong>Crest</strong>. Through most of two quarters, the Chargers were in control, taking a 14-0 lead late in the first half on quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick']'s</strong> second rushing touchdown. But Ashbrook, not known for its passing prowess, hit an 87-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead in half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greenwave continued to own the middle eight, scoring on a second passing touchdown on the first drive of the second half. They'd pick up a third touchdown on a touchdown pass late in the third quarter, then held on with a goal-line stand to end the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook is now 9-0, led by a strong rushing duo of <strong>Savion Lindsey</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600183' first='Martino' last='Smith']</strong>. The defense is allowing just over nine points a game and has been at its best in close games, closing out multiple games with stops inside the 10. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain']</strong> isn't throwing it a ton, but he has a 15-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and he's been at his best against top competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Three Undefeateds Go Down</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>22 teams entered Week 10 unbeaten, and though a few squeaked by in one-score games (Ashbrook and <strong>KIPP Pride</strong> among them), only three went down. I can't say I'm overly surprised by any of the losses, though. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bunn </strong>defeated previously unbeaten <strong>Louisburg</strong>, 34-19, behind a huge game from running back <strong>Tyler Perry</strong> to get to 7-2. The 4A Wildcats are now undefeated in conference, holding non-conference losses only to a 6A and a 7A team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In another 4A win over an undefeated 3A conference foe, <strong>East Duplin</strong> took down previously unbeaten <strong>Pender</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277716' first='Shawn' last='Davis']</strong> had another 100-yard rushing outing, while <strong>Dwayne Davis</strong> scored twice on just seven rushes. Pender spread the ball around in the running game, going for over 350 yards on the ground while quarterback <strong>Austin Deal</strong> led the way with 87 yards and a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Creek</strong> played its most complete game of an impressive season, beating undefeated 7A <strong>Cary</strong>, 42-0. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> had another solid game as a passer, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658593' first='Jayden' last='Spencer']</strong> scored three times on the ground. The Mustang defense was immovable, allowing just 23 yards through the air. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong> had two sacks and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880228' first='Honor' last='Paxton']</strong> picked off a pass as one of three Middle Creek takeaways. In a wide-open 6A classification, don't forget about Middle Creek. The Mustangs moved to 7-2 with losses only to two teams in the top-15 of our <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/?team_name=&amp;class%5B%5D=7A">Power Scores</a></strong> rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Hough Flexes Again With Huge Win</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/?team_name=">Power Scores</a></strong>, we have a new overall No. 1 in the form of the undefeated <strong>William A. Hough</strong> Huskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hough had a really strong <strong>Myers Park</strong> offense in a bind, and the 28-6 win says much more about the Huskies than a still impressive Mustangs team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense has allowed under 8.5 points per game against a brutal schedule, with playmakers at all three levels, especially the back seven. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebackers have been among the best in the state, led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950969' first='Ryan' last='Peterson']</strong> and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='974827' first='LJ' last='Porter']</strong>. The safeties have come down to make plays as well, as junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788073' first='Jackson' last='Heath']</strong> leads the team in tackles and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153738' first='Micah' last='Bright']</strong> has four interceptions. That's partially because teams avoid looking toward senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This defense is scary, and it's a huge reason the Huskies are 9-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Thoughts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have a few more short-form thoughts to close out this piece. Here they are, in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I don't want to yet hand <strong>Tarboro</strong> the 2A state title, but we're nearly there. Barring some insanely lucky upset, no one in the 2A class is beating the Vikings. In fact, I'm helping tweak our Power Scores algorithm to properly rate them among the state's best teams, regardless of class. Not only is this Tarboro team elite, it may be the best they've had in a decade, and that's saying something.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>West Craven</strong> continues to impress. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='948088' first='DJ' last='Davis']</strong> had six total touchdowns and 300 total yards on Friday.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite a loss to <strong>Hunt</strong> last week, <strong>Rocky Mount</strong> controls its own destiny in conference after <strong>Northern Nash</strong> stayed undefeated in <strong>Big East 5A/6A</strong> play. The Gryphons go on the road for a winner-take-all matchup at Northern Nash this Friday.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->