* Time: 7:30 p.m.
* Records: West Rowan 6-1, 5-0 NPC; East Rowan 1-6, 0-5 NPC
* Series: East leads 21-20-1
* Last meeting: West whipped the Mustangs 29-10 in Mount Ulla
* Last week: West ripped Carson 48-0; East fell to South Rowan 31-7
* Next week: West is home against Lake Norman; East is at North Iredell
* Game notes: Former East Rowan Mustang Scott Young goes for his 95th career win against his old school.
East hasn’t beaten West since 1998, Young’s first year in Mount Ulla. That was a Jeff Safrit-coached team. Young has guided West teams against six different East head coaches.West, which lost early to Davie County, is ranked 10th in 3A.
West has 27 straight wins against county opposition and is closing in on Salisbury’s all-time record. The Falcons have won their last 10 NPC games and 31 of their last 32 NPC contests. West also has an amazing streak of 20 straight NPC road victories.
West tailback K.P. Parks’ updated career numbers are 5,516 rushing yards and 77 TDs. Parks has 1,259 rushing yards this season and 21 TDs.People know about Parks. What everyone doesn’t realize is B.J. Sherrill and Brantley Horton also give West the county’s top passing combo. Every play-action fake to Parks creates opportunities.Matt Turchin (32 PATs, three field goals) and Jon Crucitti give West an excellent kicking game, and the rushing defense has permitted a ridiculous 32 net yards for the season.
Looks like a long night for East, but coach Brian Hinson will have his team ready to play. Ben DeCelle is a versatile player. If Greysen Gordy and his mates on the O-line can open a few holes for DeCelle, East can hang in for a while.