3 7A Non-Conference Matchups That Have Us Buzzing

We're less than two months away from the start of the high school football season, and to be honest, I'm so excited. Last year at this time, there was a ton of uncertainty about the new classifications and how that would change things. I think last year was a huge success in that regard, and this year, I'm simply excited to see the product on the field. So far, I haven't looked at the schedule. Here, I'm breaking down three non-conference matchups in the 7A class that have me excited.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three 7A Non-Conference Matchups To Watch</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Bern @ Cleveland (Sept. 11)</h3>   New Bern will travel to Johnston County to play at Cleveland in mid-September in an intriguing late non-conference matchup.   There's plenty of turnover on both teams, as Cleveland will start several new faces in the trenches (and has made a coaching change), while New Bern loses most of its passing attack.   The running back matchup here is excellent, as Cleveland's [player_tooltip player_id='1608325' first='Kaleb' last='Ferrell'] and New Bern's [player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood'] go head-to-head. Both are bigger backs who can carry an offense and slow the tempo down. Cleveland also can air it out (and often prefers that approach) with 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert'] returning as a second-year starter.   Both teams lose several receivers, but Cleveland's leading wideout, [player_tooltip player_id='2147404' first='Wyatt' last='Caldwell'], returns, while New Bern brings back rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1089277' first='Rylan' last='Copeland']. Both teams lose key defensive pieces, but Cleveland defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='2133929' first='Markus' last='Medley'] is a difference-maker, as is edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='2153181' first='Derek' last='Locklear'].   For New Bern, [player_tooltip player_id='1092182' first='Ezekiel' last='Best'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1144851' first='Braylen' last='Cooper'] are the key defenders. By Week 4, we'll have a better idea of what the New Bern passing game looks like. It should be a great, physical game.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grimsley @ East Forsyth (Sept. 4)</h3>   Two of the Triad's strongest face off early in the year as Grimsley's first road game is at East Forsyth. I'm interested to see how Grimsley's young offense handles a hostile environment and strong defense.   The Eagles' defense is loaded this season, with Division I talent at every level. East Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='2171872' first='Chosen' last='Hyman'] anchors the middle of the defensive line, flanked by junior edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='2170669' first='Luke' last='Vandergrift']. In the secondary, future FBS corner [player_tooltip player_id='1393949' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] has some more help this season, with safeties [player_tooltip player_id='2126976' first='Sam' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1974721' first='Nick' last='Varga'] forming a dangerous duo. 2029 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2126975' first='Josiah' last='Werts'] joins rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2173531' first='Julien' last='Gerald'] in the middle.   That's the draw, for me. Grimsley's defense will be stacked, but I'm interested to see how a young offense gels early in the year against a quality opponent.   It's officially quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1048930' first='Brody' last='Lowe']'s team, and he has some quality wideouts. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2005242' first='Jordan' last='Davis'] was Lowe's favorite target last year, and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2170655' first='Alex' last='Cooper'] (hurt last year) and [player_tooltip player_id='2112027' first='Zakai' last='Milton'] (transfer) join the fray. I'm also interested to see how sophomore tight end [player_tooltip player_id='2220823' first='Ty' last='Pugh'] is used. [player_tooltip player_id='1815393' first='Ty' last='Shoemake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1046458' first='Torrin' last='Stroud'] have plenty of talent at running back behind a strong offensive line.   Ultimately, Grimsley's elite front seven (ECU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1607067' first='Andrew' last='Rogers'], elite interior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2112036' first='Guy' last='Vann'], and brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1051029' first='Tristan' last='Wardlaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2078038' first='Jaiden' last='Wardlaw']) will likely be too much for most teams to handle, but I think the East Forsyth defense could make things interesting.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marvin Ridge @ Cox Mill</h3>   The opening-night matchup between Marvin Ridge and Cox Mill is quietly one of the most intriguing games of the entire non-conference season. It features two teams that combined for eight one-score games last season and are each returning a lot of offensive talent.   I'm interested to see what the Marvin Ridge quarterback situation looks like, as the Mavericks have not one, but two talented passers (Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1608327' first='Adam' last='Aoun'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2198468' first='Levi' last='Kerr']). Cox Mill passer [player_tooltip player_id='2078902' first='Carter' last='Casteel'] threw for 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, and the Chargers return both their leading receiver ([player_tooltip player_id='1276945' first='Sione' last='Latimore']) and leading rusher ([player_tooltip player_id='1299735' first='Juice' last='Hall']).   Though there's a height difference, I'd expect defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='2106753' first='Michael' last='Rodriguez'] to see a lot of the 6'2" Latimore, which makes for a fantastic matchup on the outside. There's a lot of turnover for both teams in the trenches, so I'm sure we'll find one or two young guys on the line of scrimmage to follow, as well.   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We're less than two months away from the start of the high school football season, and to be honest, I'm so excited. Last year at this time, there was a ton of uncertainty about the new classifications and how that would change things. I think last year was a huge success in that regard, and this year, I'm simply excited to see the product on the field. So far, I haven't looked at the schedule. Here, I'm breaking down three non-conference matchups in the 7A class that have me excited.