Calling My Shot: Week 6 Upsets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we transition into conference play, the season is nearly at its halfway point. So, I'm bringing back my upset predictions. Here, I'm looking at three potential teams that could pull off upsets in Week 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Teams Should Be on Upset Alert?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: (Thankfully) we don't have betting lines or listed favorites. So, I'm picking teams that most people seem to think will lose. If you think I picked a winner that wouldn't be considered an upset, or if you just think I'm wrong, let me know on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Community School of Davidson Over Christ the King</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A huge Catawba Shores Conference matchup between two 2A contenders; I really like this as a competitive game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041542' first='Ty' last='Sigler']</strong> has been excellent this year as a dual-threat quarterback for CSD. The Spartans aren't a heavy run team in terms of explosives, but Sigler's legs have produced a couple of big plays and moved the chains when needed. The Spartans are 2-2 with two blowout wins and two three-point losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key will be whether they can get <em>enough</em> out of the running game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325448' first='Silas' last='Brister']</strong> comes in as the second-leading rusher and receiver. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2266190' first='Cade' last='Rasmussen']</strong> has lived in the backfield, and that constant disruption gets offenses off script.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think that CSD's defense will keep it close while the offense leans on the run behind a good offensive line (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104467' first='Matthew' last='Worley']</strong>). A big play or two to Brister or <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2325460' first='Jack' last='Browning']</strong> would certainly help flip the script in their favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Butler Over Chambers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers continues to look like one of the best teams in the state, and I think Butler is flying a bit under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are 3-2 with losses to South Carolina power Indian Land and top NCISAA team Providence Day. <strong>Da'Mourion Thomas-Wright</strong> is ramping up after missing the first two weeks of the year, and h'es coming off a 200-yard game against Providence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs want to limit possessions and trust their defense, led by a strong linebacking corps. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2073131' first='Matthew' last='Shields']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2043746' first='Miles' last='Lacroix']</strong>, and <strong>Elyjah Jackson</strong> are off having strong years, and if they can limit Chambers' running game, it puts a lot of pressure on the receivers to win across talented corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Bulldogs want to feature Thomas-Wright, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2348091' first='Niko' last='Henderson']</strong> hunt big plays, and if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607885' first='Zaylen' last='Barnes']</strong> or one of the other guys can get loose, the Bulldogs can do damage in chunks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers is strong, and this isn't a letdown spot, but the Bulldogs certainly have a shot if they play their best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Watauga Over Asheville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I always have an eye on the "up-and-coming contender goes on the road to play a recent state champion having a down year" spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watauga hasn't been at its best this year, and 3-1 Asheville comes to town. Watauga is 1-3, with back-to-back one-score losses. But the Pioneers haven't forgotten how to play football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers haven't gotten the traditional ground game going, with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256472' first='Coy' last='Greer']</strong> leading the team in rushing. There's some big play potential behind a talented offensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201332' first='Will' last='Humphrey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2185039' first='Cayman' last='Hayes']</strong>. Greer can throw the deep ball, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2332390' first='Luke' last='Wallace']</strong> has gotten behind the defense a time or two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Pioneers have the potential to be better than they've played this season. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074876' first='John' last='Wilson Mills']</strong> is a star, and edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256476' first='Aidan' last='Plemons']</strong> has been just off of several sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers need to play a cleaner game, but they've got the talent to beat almost anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Which other potential upsets need to be on our radar? Let me know on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). Lock in on Prep Redzone for more preview content.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->