Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: East 7-2, 3-1 NPC; North Iredell 1-8, 0-4 NPC
Series: East leads 10-5
Last meeting: North Iredell beat the Mustangs 21-7 in 2008
History: East won 30-6 in 2007, but North Iredell has won three of the last five. East won the first meeting in 1967 and also claimed the most exciting one ó a 38-35, three-overtime affair in 2001
Last week: East ran into a buzz-saw and was dismantled 41-7 by West Rowan, and it could’ve been much worse; North Iredell lost to Statesville 14-12 when the Hounds made a goal-line stand
Next week: East is at home against South Rowan; North Iredell plays host to West Rowan
Mustangs on the road: 4-0
Game notes: East figures to get back on track against North Iredell.
The Mustangs may even win this one easily, but if they do it will be a departure from the norm.
While East’s two losses have been by 36 and 34 points, five of its seven wins have been tight. East has outscored opponents only 189-182, an amazingly narrow margin for a 7-2 team. East ranks fifth in the county in offense and fifth in defense.QB Jamey Blalock has put up more than 1,000 yards of offense, almost evenly split between rushing and passing. Receiver/safety Preston Troutman is outstanding. Quentin Sifford has rushed for 546 yards despite missing the first two games with an injury.
East is on the road tonight, and that’s been a comfortable place for Mustangs such as O-lineman Dalton Miller and DB Dakota Tilley. East pulled out tense games at Hickory Ridge, Carson and Statesville.
NI hasn’t shown much offense, with a season-high of 20 points, and it was annihilated by South (63-0) and Carson (41-7). ó Mike London