3 7A Non-Conference Matchups That Have Us Buzzing

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three 7A Non-Conference Matchups To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Bern @ Cleveland (Sept. 11)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Bern will travel to Johnston County to play at Cleveland in mid-September in an intriguing late non-conference matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running back matchup here is excellent, as Cleveland's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608325' first='Kaleb' last='Ferrell']</strong> and New Bern's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood']</strong> 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 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert']</strong> returning as a second-year starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams lose several receivers, but Cleveland's leading wideout, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147404' first='Wyatt' last='Caldwell']</strong>, returns, while New Bern brings back rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089277' first='Rylan' last='Copeland']</strong>. Both teams lose key defensive pieces, but Cleveland defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2133929' first='Markus' last='Medley']</strong> is a difference-maker, as is edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2153181' first='Derek' last='Locklear']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For New Bern, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1092182' first='Ezekiel' last='Best']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144851' first='Braylen' last='Cooper']</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grimsley @ East Forsyth (Sept. 4)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles' defense is loaded this season, with Division I talent at every level. East Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2171872' first='Chosen' last='Hyman']</strong> anchors the middle of the defensive line, flanked by junior edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2170669' first='Luke' last='Vandergrift']</strong>. In the secondary, future FBS corner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393949' first='Zion' last='Dobson']</strong> has some more help this season, with safeties <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2126976' first='Sam' last='Phillips']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1974721' first='Nick' last='Varga']</strong> forming a dangerous duo. 2029 linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2126975' first='Josiah' last='Werts']</strong> joins rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2173531' first='Julien' last='Gerald']</strong> in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's officially quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048930' first='Brody' last='Lowe']</strong>'s team, and he has some quality wideouts. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005242' first='Jordan' last='Davis']</strong> was Lowe's favorite target last year, and juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2170655' first='Alex' last='Cooper']</strong> (hurt last year) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112027' first='Zakai' last='Milton']</strong> (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. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815393' first='Ty' last='Shoemake']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1046458' first='Torrin' last='Stroud']</strong> have plenty of talent at running back behind a strong offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ultimately, Grimsley's elite front seven (ECU commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607067' first='Andrew' last='Rogers']</strong>, elite interior defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112036' first='Guy' last='Vann']</strong>, and brothers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051029' first='Tristan' last='Wardlaw']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078038' first='Jaiden' last='Wardlaw']</strong>) will likely be too much for most teams to handle, but I think the East Forsyth defense could make things interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marvin Ridge @ Cox Mill</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm interested to see what the Marvin Ridge quarterback situation looks like, as the Mavericks have not one, but two talented passers (Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608327' first='Adam' last='Aoun']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2198468' first='Levi' last='Kerr']</strong>). Cox Mill passer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078902' first='Carter' last='Casteel']</strong> threw for 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, and the Chargers return both their leading receiver (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276945' first='Sione' last='Latimore']</strong>) and leading rusher (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299735' first='Juice' last='Hall']</strong>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though there's a height difference, I'd expect defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106753' first='Michael' last='Rodriguez']</strong> 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. 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