Week 8 Instant Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe the regular season is nearly finished. As always, I'm back with my immediate, raw thoughts about some of the top results from around the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Carolina High School Football Instant Analysis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Undefeated Check-In</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every week, the number of undefeated teams across the state dwindles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One undefeated team I haven't mentioned enough is A.L. Brown. The Wonders quietly entered Friday 6-0, and there was never any doubt that they'd stay undefeated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense has been balanced this year, and everybody got in on the action. Running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2070653' first='Jamaree' last='Russell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206330' first='Lemar' last='Grier']</strong> both scored on long runs early in the first half, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2081644' first='A'todrick' last='Settles']</strong> hit <strong>Ashton Chavis</strong> for their 11th touchdown connection of the year. The Wonders led 48-7 at the half and won 55-7 after another Grier touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the game, Grier earned his first Division I offer from Hampton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I started writing this, it looked like Franklinton would earn a hard-fought win over a pesky Heritage team. But the Huskies stormed back to down one of four undefeated 6A teams entering the night. Still, Franklinton quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2142470' first='Josiah' last='Rice']</strong> and the passing attack have been electric. The Red Rams are one of just a handful of teams with multiple players with over 500 receiving yards: <strong>Amari Blacknall</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1722985' first='Jamaal' last='Epps']</strong>. I'm not sure where I land on them after what amounted to a weird loss, but I wouldn't count them out just yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One more impressive and under-the-radar unbeaten: Triton blew out Western Harnett to move to 7-0. The offense, led by running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1521147' first='Jamarcus' last='Shaw']</strong> and receiver <strong>Eric Galacia</strong>, is clicking on all cylinders. I still have some doubts in a deep 6A class, but I'm intrigued by what is already a wildly successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Big Games in the East</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a couple of huge games in the East, especially in the higher classifications. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacksonville and J.H. Rose played a classic, and I can't say I'm surprised by the scoring. It was Jacksonville's two-headed rushing attack (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619953' first='Montez' last='Jimenez']</strong>) against Rose's dynamic passing attack. Honestly, I'm impressed with the Cardinals, even in a 28-26 loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The passing game is doing just enough, and the defensive line has been elite. Edge rushers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2443960' first='Kenneth' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104424' first='Judah' last='Bloomfield']</strong> have college-level size and speed, but they've put it together on the field this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Rose side, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2404855' first='Chase' last='Davis']</strong> continues to impress at quarterback. On Friday, it was <strong>Daran Bell</strong> who struck first. Later, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2238621' first='Ny' last='Davis']</strong> scored, and receiver <strong>Shamah Cabell</strong> took a handoff 27 yards for the winning score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsewhere, Seventy-First blanked previously unbeaten St. Pauls. A weird loss to 3-3 Hoke County has taken the Falcons out of the spotlight, but they have the running game and defense to do damage in a wide-open 6A class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='653512' first='Shon' last='Pone Jr'].</strong> is having a massive senior season, finally taking over as the starter after two productive years as the secondary back. The defense is allowing fewer than 13 points per game, and the Falcons should have a strong seed in the playoffs, given their RPI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Games of Note:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Community School of Davidson coasted to a 41-0 win over Lincoln Charter. After the game, star linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2266190' first='Cade' last='Rasmussen']</strong> earned an offer from Hampden-Sydney.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shelby downed Lincolnton in a potential 3A playoff preview, with a shocking twist. I'm not surprised Shelby ultimately pulled out the win, but I expected a shootout akin to last year's overtime thriller. I did not expect a 9-7 win for the Golden Lions</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On Thursday, Providence Day's offense stole the show against a strong Ambassador Christian defense. Quarterback <strong>Gavin Bronikowski</strong> had a massive night with 327 passing yards, six touchdowns, and 83 yards on four carries. 2028 No. 1 overall <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651159' first='Braylon' last='Clark']</strong> had 179 yards and four touchdowns on eight catches.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Southeast Alamance went on the road and downed Williams, No. 1 in the 6A class RPI rankings. The Stallions fell behind 7-0 before scoring 30 straight before halftime. Quarterback <strong>Tyler Jackson</strong> and the explosive passing game showed up again before the defense had a pick-six to really blow it open.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- 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 </em>8.<a href="https://prepredzone.com/app/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->