Playoffs – 8A West Round 1 Game Previews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a fun regular season, only the best of the best remain, and we're going to get it going with the state playoffs here in North Carolina this week. Starting with the biggest classification in the state, the 8A West has a lot of representation from Charlotte and the biggest schools by population in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palisades at South Mecklenburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a matchup of former conference mates for the last four years, so while they have not played this season, both teams are very familiar with each other. [player_tooltip player_id='1692403' first='Carter' last='Gillis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='525514' first='Cole' last='Hough'], for their respective teams, are very important to their offense's success from the quarterback spot. The signal caller who doesn't turn it over has the best chance for victory. South Mecklenburg and Palisades both have multiple threats from the running back spot, but Raivon Pauling and [player_tooltip player_id='1262278' first='Lincoln' last='Wise'] will be the key guys there. [player_tooltip player_id='1909807' first='Jolani' last='Legette'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1751631' first='Callaway' last='Williams'] are big-play receivers on the outside capable of changing a game with a big catch instantly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have talent on the offensive line - Palisades with Jamarre Williams and [player_tooltip player_id='1619052' first='Nolan' last='Jefferson'], notably, the Sabres counter with [player_tooltip player_id='1136707' first='Nate' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617272' first='Brendan' last='Hall']. On the defensive line, the Pumas may have a bit of an advantage with [player_tooltip player_id='1079991' first='Joshua' last='Watts'] leading the charge there. At linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='1321132' first='Dru' last='Drakeford'] has been a stellar performer this season for Palisades. In the defensive back field, KJ Bynes is an athletic and rangy corner who can flat-out get the job done for Palisades. [player_tooltip player_id='1678651' first='Daniel' last='Bregman'] can be a ballhawk in the back end for the Sabres, and [player_tooltip player_id='1751631' first='Callaway' last='Williams'] is an athletic safety as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I mentioned before, turnovers are very important here, and there won't be a lot of secrets from a schematic standpoint. South Meck does not have a home field this season, so this game may be played at a place where Palisades won't have to fight a typical road playoff atmosphere. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwest Guilford at West Forsyth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a tough matchup for NW Guilford here, as West Forsyth has been playing some great football as of late. At 3-7, NW Guilford does come in winning their last two games, including a 13-6 victory over RJ Reynolds, another playoff team. [player_tooltip player_id='1395227' first='Rakem' last='Hammock'] is definitely their guy to watch on offense, as he has 531 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, talented safety [player_tooltip player_id='1751614' first='Austin' last='Jackson'] leads the team in tackles on the year with 97, and 10 of those for loss. [player_tooltip player_id='1130290' first='Rob' last='Lange'] is also a pass-rushing threat, with 6.5 sacks on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans have shown explosion on offense at times this season, thanks to the dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='267064' first='Haines' last='Robitzer'] and Mozes Morris at the quarterback and running back positions, respectively. West Forsyth went undefeated in conference play and has recorded shutouts in their last 4 games, really impressive. Jailyn Moore and [player_tooltip player_id='1636010' first='Tylan' last='Grimes'] are the main receiving threats for the Titans here. Defensively, the Titans shine as a team, but you can't help but mention [player_tooltip player_id='953021' first='PJ' last='Dean'] and Daviel Eldridge - they are a wrecking crew on the defensive line, where the fun gets started for them. Joziah Nicholson is the defensive back to watch - he tied a state record with 3 Pick 6's in a game earlier this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chambers at Pinecrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chambers Cougars won 4 games this year, but they played in probably the toughest conference in the state overall, so they can't be looked at as a typical low-seed team. QB [player_tooltip player_id='402307' first='Zyon' last='Hailey'] is a dynamic dual-threat Queen City Senior Bowl selection who can fly in the open field. [player_tooltip player_id='1849424' first='Tahj' last='Brooks'] is a fast and tough running back, and the Cougars have some athletes at the receiver spot who can be dangerous in the open field. They have some veterans on the offensive line, also led by [player_tooltip player_id='1600373' first='Darrell' last='Rice'], a four-year starter. Defensive Tackle Dkari Thompson can be disruptive, Chris Williams and Allex Jenkins are a fast pair of linebackers, and the secondary has some guys with ability and range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinecrest comes into this game off its second loss of the season, 58-27 to Richmond County. They haven't lost since Week 1 to Cleveland before that, so it will be interesting to see how they respond here. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1059980' first='Najee' last='Gillis'] has thrown for nearly 1600 yards and 16 touchdowns, providing balance to a run-first attack, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1663571' first='Chris' last='Najm'] with nearly 1600 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1720446' first='Eric' last='Melton'] and RJ Williams are their leading receivers offensively. A pair of seniors lead Pinecrest defensively, with Tanner Corvin's 91 tackles and Cole Harrison's 80 tackles standing out. Corben Dallas is the ballhawk in the secondary with 5 interceptions this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ardrey Kell at Providence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup is a rival game in the biggest of stakes, and even more interesting - these two teams JUST PLAYED LAST WEEK! Providence defeated its rival 28-14 and won a conference championship. Now, they just have to turn around and try to do it again - a very hard thing to do here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1304463' first='Jared' last='Curtis'] for the Knights will have to protect the football better in this rematch. He threw three interceptions, one more than his counterpart in [player_tooltip player_id='1321018' first='Luke' last='Meador'], but giving extra possessions has to be something the Knights do much better here. [player_tooltip player_id='1149037' first='Tristan' last='Rivest'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1320897' first='Kaleb' last='Vines'] will be the main running backs for their teams here. Jeremiah Jones and Khylieb Rodriguez are starting to become a dynamic duo for Ardrey Kell, while [player_tooltip player_id='1616119' first='Chase' last='Taylor'] stepped up big last week for Providence. [player_tooltip player_id='1689891' first='Moses' last='Harper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1303224' first='Lucas' last='Tselentis'] are talented offensive linemen for Ardrey Kell and Providence, respectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Jasean Sheppard and [player_tooltip player_id='1572129' first='Nathan' last='Mbanya'] are important up front for the Knights. Providence had a whopping 11 sacks in this game last week, led by Adlai Martin, who had four, Keland Shelton with three, and star defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1607430' first='Cory' last='Cunningham'] with three. Ardrey Kell has no chance if their pass protection doesn't improve from that performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='740869' first='Soto' last='Kelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1616111' first='Malichai' last='Matthews'] stepped up with interceptions in the secondary for the Panthers, and [player_tooltip player_id='1600415' first='Colton' last='Bogan'] had 11 tackles from his linebacker spot. Keland Shelton led the team with an incredible 18 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rematches are very difficult in this type of situation - Ardrey Kell will be extremely fired up to get revenge against a rival where the blood runs hot. Providence has to match the intensity from the start and make them play from behind for their best chance to get another victory here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->