Week 7 Instant Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 7 is almost over, and we once again learned a lot. Most of the state transitioned to conference play, and there were some massive clashes, some that could ultimately decide champions. Here, I'm giving my raw thoughts and reactions to some of the week's most notable results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notable Week 7 Results + My Reaction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Conference-Deciding Clashes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though it's still early in the conference slate, there were several games between teams I expect to finish first and second in their respective conferences. Here are notes on a few.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Weddington-Marvin Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two undefeated rivals met in front of a sold-out Homecoming crowd in their earliest-ever meeting. The Warriors flexed on a powerful Marvin Ridge offense, holding the Mavericks scoreless in the first half. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1923076' first='Eric' last='Henriquez']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206752' first='Ace' last='Clements']</strong>, and the Warriors' defense are humming. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street']</strong> continues to excel, giving Weddington a new, dynamic passing attack. I was lower on the Warriors to start the season, but they've impressed me to this point, and they'll likely finish the regular season undefeated (and untested).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union Pines-Harnett Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been really impressed with the top two Carolina Pines teams this season. After Union Pines won convincingly, I'm even more impressed with the Vikings in a WIDE open 6A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harnett Central quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Koby' last='Howard']</strong> continued his fantastic senior year, hitting <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853146' first='Kole' last='Thompson']</strong> for multiple touchdowns. It was the <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon']</strong> show for the Vikings, though, as the senior running back scored three touchdowns, two on long, explosive runs. The Vikings are in total control of the Carolina Pines Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Asheville-T.C. Roberson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't recall the last time there were <em>this many</em> quality teams in the Mountains. In a much-anticipated matchup, Asheville and Roberson didn't disappoint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a back-and-forth game that opened with a 75-yard touchdown from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112656' first='Karod' last='Harris']</strong> to <strong>Tremayne Durant</strong> (a career-long reception for the senior). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asheville responded, as every key playmaker made a difference, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1852696' first='Clement' last='Davidson']</strong>, <strong>Kayden Whiteside</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1970953' first='Tayvion' last='Williams']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2003822' first='TK' last='Davis']</strong> all having big games. After a couple of wild quarters, the teams trade empty possessions late as the Cougars held on for a 23-21 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crest-South Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No, I haven't forgotten about Kings Mountain (Which won easily at North Gaston), but whether Crest-South Point decides the Big South Champion or not, it was a massive game between two rivals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps surprisingly, South Point jumped out to a lead with two <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2065235' first='Kaveaun' last='Pless']</strong> touchdowns in the first half. Crest answered each with a touchdown and a field goal, finding the end zone on a short direct snap to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2151059' first='Brock' last='Melton']</strong>. But the Chargers trailed 14-10 at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half was a different story. Crest held South Point scoreless, scoring twice on explosive plays, first on a 52-yard scamper by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2081622' first='Malachi' last='Gamble']</strong> and later on a long throw from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687753' first='KJ' last='Bell']</strong> to Melton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Critical Outcomes</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacksonville Dominates New Bern</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't put this game in the "conference-decider" category, because J.H. Rose continues to look fantastic, but it was a huge game. So color me surprised not that Jacksonville won, but by <em>how</em> they beat 7A New Bern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals' defense locked down the Bears all night, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong> scored four touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619953' first='Montez' last='Jimenez']</strong> added a late score, and the Cardinals' passing attack flashed, something that let them down last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm intrigued by a fantastic defensive line led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104424' first='Judah' last='Bloomfield']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1844273' first='SaRonn' last='Thompson']</strong> recovered a fumble on defense on a night when the offense didn't really need a big performance from him. I know they have the loss to rival Northside (Who once again looked fantastic), but this Cardinals team looks fantastic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stuart Cramer-Burns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game of the night was a crucial Southern Piedmont matchup between <a href="https://x.com/whelms21/status/2102918574750781582?s=20">4A powerhouses</a> Stuart Cramer and Burns. In a conference with Shelby and Lincolnton, there will be plenty of critical matchups, and this one felt like a playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuart Cramer was seeking a signature win, something that has eluded them over the last few (successful) years. All the stars showed up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a scoreless first quarter, the Storm took a 10-0 lead after a <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104509' first='Brayden' last='Fortenberry']</strong> rushing touchdown and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277008' first='Caleb' last='Smith']</strong> field goal. They got greedy, though, throwing a pick-six to <strong>Legend Phillips</strong> with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third quarter was quiet, aside from an 80-yard touchdown run by explosive sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2425094' first='Ka'Marion' last='McKinzie']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuart Cramer battled back behind two <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607810' first='Qualteau' last='Hawkins']</strong> touchdowns, but a missed extra point proved critical. Down 23-21, Burns turned to star running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis']</strong>, who had been quiet. He broke off a couple of chunk runs to set up a go-ahead field goal by <strong>Ryan Sisk</strong>. The Burns defense got a critical fourth-down stop to close out the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two great teams, one knows how to win. A regular-season finale matchup between Burns and Shelby looms large.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Wilkes-Starmount</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I may have lied about the game of the night. I'd circled Burns-Cramer, but hadn't necessarily paid much attention to Starmount-East Wilkes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But East Wilkes, fresh off a heartbreaker to rival West Wilkes, came to play. The Cardinals put up 50 points on a Starmount defense that had allowed just 59 points all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holden Spicer</strong> and <strong>Colton Vestal</strong> led a fantastic East Wilkes rushing attack, while Starmount quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2416404' first='Deuce' last='Best']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104490' first='Keyvon' last='Propst']</strong> did their best to pull the Rams back. The Rams had a late, desperate chance, but the Cardinals held on for an enormous upset in the 2A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>What'd I miss? Let me know about scores, stats, and storylines on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21)</a>. I'll have plenty more on Monday about a wild Week 7.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->