704 Metro Area Week 3 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some HUGE games here in the Charlotte Metro Area in Week 3, so let's preview some of the big matchups in the Metro Area! <br><br><strong>Corvian at Chambers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is actually being played on Thursday Night, so these two teams will get a Varsity Night in the spotlight by themselves here in the Queen City. Both teams are 2-0 to start the season, and I think the big thing here is going to be the battle of the Chambers OL vs. the Corvian DL. [player_tooltip player_id='1598037' first='Aiden' last='Dickenson'] leads a group that has helped the Cougars have some impressive performances in their two victories. Collin Jefferies, Nate Kamba, and [player_tooltip player_id='1353067' first='Jesiah' last='Fields'] will be as good a group that Chambers will see up front all regular season long. A big key will be for the Corvian defense to keep QB [player_tooltip player_id='1321007' first='Jamouri' last='Nichols'] inside the pocket, and not let him scramble and make off-schedule plays, which is one of his major strengths. <br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2003772' first='Tyson' last='Douglas-Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2325235' first='Cam' last='Simpson'] on offense for Corvian will have their hands full with an opportunistic defense who has threats at all three levels with [player_tooltip player_id='1687735' first='Antonio' last='Flowers'], [player_tooltip player_id='1788242' first='Tyson' last='Stancil'], and Keland Shelton helping lead their respective defensive line, linebacker, and defensive units. Lot of talent on the field should equal a fun game between these two teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TC Roberson at South Point </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Contrasting styles offensively in this one, as the 2-0 Rams come down from Asheville to take on the also 2-0 Red Raiders. TC Roberson can be explosive offensively with [player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2112656' first='Karod' last='Harris'] on offense, while South Point with Kaveuan Pless and [player_tooltip player_id='1607789' first='Cayden' last='Rumph'] leading the Redbone Option offensive attack will control the clock and time of possession. Whichever defense can get the other offense off the field the most will be victorious in this one. Expect [player_tooltip player_id='1953563' first='Tariq' last='Sibert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1970938' first='Tucker' last='McWhirter'] to be key players on each team's defense here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monroe at Weddington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an interesting Union County matchup. If Monroe can get the running game going behind [player_tooltip player_id='2206332' first='Jamir' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1678618' first='Kylan' last='Polk'] offensively, they have a good chance of hanging in the game with the talented Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street'] and the offensive attack have had a good start to the season, behind a good offensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id='415457' first='Bryce' last='Johnson']. Monroe has some talent on defense also, and if they can force a couple of takeaways, this game can be interesting. Weddington is talented on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='1616163' first='Makai' last='Henriquez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2206752' first='Ace' last='Clements'] being standout players leading the charge for their attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Providence Day at Hough </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big game that everyone is looking forward to across the state is here, and I could probably type out everyone college prospect on both teams here and it still wouldn't give all the talent on these rosters the justice it deserves. I don't know if it will be a high scoring game though, I think the strength of both teams are their defenses. To highlight a couple of key players, [player_tooltip player_id='1029786' first='Griff' last='Galloway'] will need to be disruptive on the defensive front, [player_tooltip player_id='1610603' first='Tre' last='Geathers'] from the linebacker spot will need to tackle well in space, and [player_tooltip player_id='1259782' first='Nate' last='Dollard'] has a big assignement at his corner position no matter which wide receiver from Hough he is matched up with. Conversely, Hough has [player_tooltip player_id='1607430' first='Cory' last='Cunningham'] in the fold at defensive tackle, [player_tooltip player_id='950969' first='Ryan' last='Peterson'] at the linebacker spot coming off a huge game in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium, and of course [player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson'] playing corner in the secondary. And that's just a couple of the defensive stars on both sides! <br><br>Offensively, there's special talent too. [player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal'] at QB is coming off a huge game with 286 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown against a very good Cardinal Gibbons team. I think the Hough running game gets going this week with Jamarion Morrison and a huge offensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id='946623' first='Nori' last='White'] getting movement up front. Of course, [player_tooltip player_id='1678655' first='Jahmere' last='Anderson'] has had an explosive first two games on the outside at wide receiver, and [player_tooltip player_id='2072205' first='Mason' last='Pearsall-Brown'] on the opposite side had a big game with 2 touchdown catches last week. But then, Providence Day has been really impressive with [player_tooltip player_id='1610601' first='Cole' last='Cater'] behind center, and a trio of wide receivers that will be playing on Saturday's with [player_tooltip player_id='651159' first='Braylon' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1332065' first='Ethan' last='Dempsey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1150380' first='Steele' last='Fletcher'] able to give any secondary problems in North Carolina. Then, the offensive line up front is strong also led by [player_tooltip player_id='2056052' first='Cooper' last='Hodson']. This game will be incredible!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Buford (GA) at Mallard Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be heavy from a Mallard Creek perspective, but the main deal is if Mavericks want to have a chance in winning, they will have to find a way to block defensive lineman Jalen Brewster, who is heralded as one of the top overall players in the United States. The Mavericks have been having success behind a big offensive line and a strong running game, so figure on a number of double teams coming Brewster's way up front from [player_tooltip player_id='1600577' first='Austin' last='Ballou'], [player_tooltip player_id='1690981' first='Cleveland' last='Smith'], and other Maverick OL's. [player_tooltip player_id='1616115' first='Cailen' last='Napier'] will have to find some success in the air to keep Buford off-balance defensively. All of this is contingent on Brewster being cleared to play - as he has not been cleared as of this article. <br><br>Defensively for Mallard Creek, they have been making strong adjustments at halftime and having strong second halves early this year, but they will need to come out ready against a Buford team that can be explosive all over the field. [player_tooltip player_id='2060117' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] at linebacker has been one of their best players, and he will need to have another big game. [player_tooltip player_id='2003853' first='Kaiden' last='Okam'] on the defensive line is a special talent himself, and he's got an opportunity to really breakout on a national stage here. A lot of eyes will be on him for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marvin Ridge at Ardrey Kell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is quietly one of the better games in the state this week, as this rivalry has some spark to it this year with both teams off to hot 2-0 starts. The Marvin Ridge offense behind [player_tooltip player_id='2198468' first='Levi' last='Kerr'] and a talented group of skill players has been really difficult to stop so far this year, averaging over 55 points in their first two games. Ardrey Kell has had some explosive themselves behind a freshman quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='1894011' first='Noah' last='Dailey'] and talented skill players in [player_tooltip player_id='2134507' first='Khylieb' last='Rodriguez'] and Jadon Mbanya at receiver and running back respectively. Defensively is where this game I think will be won, and with [player_tooltip player_id='1429533' first='Evan' last='Culicerto'] for Marvin Ridge and [player_tooltip player_id='1301268' first='Mackenzee' last='Coates'] for Ardrey Kell, they will be some key experienced leaders that will have to step up for their respective teams to remain undefeated at the end of Friday Night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->