Let’s preface this by saying we’re going to talk about the South Rowan defense again. Say what you will about being tired of hearing about it, but it is a good defense.
West Rowan loves to run the ball in a straight-ahead motion. The Falcons line up in the I-formation and dare teams to stop them.
South Rowan loves nothing more than facing a rushing attack that comes in a straight-ahead motion. The Raiders line up in their 3-4 and dare teams to come at them.
This one shapes up to be a battle of wills.
The Raiders have allowed only two ball carriers to get over the 100-yard mark this season.
The first was in that surprising 31-21 win in the first week of the season. The Vikings’ Chris Holmes finished with 106 yards on 23 carries. The second was in a not-so-unexpected 35-21 loss at home to Concord. Rocky Reid, a verbal commit to Tennessee, ran for 215 yards on 23 carries. Other than that, the next best is a 70-yard effort by A.L. Brown’s Casey Walker in the second game of the year.
The Raiders give up just 101 rushing yards per game.
Now a look at West Rowan.
The Falcons love to run the ball. Behind running back Harrison Baucom, they are second in rushing among teams in the Post’s coverage area with 228.3 yards per game. Baucom leads all ball carriers with 147.3 yards per game, and he’s second in touchdowns with eight.
Whichever team wins the line of scrimmage will win the game.
Once again, Common Sense whiffed on a game between a team from Rowan County and South Iredell. It was a great game, though.
Despite handing Common Sense a loss, props to the Hornets.
Common Sense went 4-1 last week to improve to 17-7 overall.
Now, let’s take our shots at this week’s action. And the picks are…
West Rowan at South Rowan
See the above.
West Rowan wins the line of scrimmage.
Common Sense pick: West Rowan 21, South Rowan 10
East Rowan at Concord
The Mustangs are going up against the Spiders this week. East Rowan allows the most rushing yards per game in the Post’s coverage area. Last year against the Mustangs, Reid ran for 290 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 89 yards, 30 yards, 31 yards and 40 yards. Expect another healthy dose of the 220-pound running back.
Common Sense pick: Concord 42, East Rowan 14
Mt. Pleasant at Carson
It was a defensive struggle in Mt. Pleasant last year.
Defense will once again rule the day. Carson will try to control the clock and move the chains in small chunks of yards.
Common Sense pick: Carson 17, Mt. Pleasant 10
Forest Hills at North Rowan
Forest Hills has a tradition of being a good 2A program in the southern piedmont.
North Rowan has been battling itself when it comes to the consistency department. The Cavaliers beat Providence Grove 29-3 last week.
So, that should be a step in the right direction. The jury, however, is still out.
Common Sense pick: Forest Hills 28, North Rowan 20
Davie County at Reagan
This one is going to be a test for Davie County. Reagan is 4-1 this season and has yet to put up less than 28 points on the scoreboard this year. Davie gives up 32.4 points per game.
If it stays close, the War Eagles have a chance.
Don’t expect Davie County to pull off another fourth-quarter rally like it did against North Rowan two weeks ago.
Common Sense pick: Reagan 41, Davie 34
A.L. Brown at North Mecklenburg
The Wonders need to win this game. It’s the first conference game of the season, and it’s important to get started on the right foot there. North Meck is not a team to overlook. The Vikings lost to Lake Norman by just seven points in the opening week of the season.
Still, Brown’s strong defense will be the key to the Wonders’ victory.
Common Sense pick: A.L. Brown 35, North Mecklenburg 21