Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Carson 0-1; Northwest Cabarrus 0-0
Series: It’s been a tough one for Carson. Northwest has won all four meetings, although NWC’s 31-0 and 51-12 victories in 2006 and 2007 came back when Carson had yet to beat anyone.
Northwest won 21-7 in 2008 when the schools were NPC opponents.
Last meeting: Northwest scored in the fourth quarter to beat the Cougars 13-7 in China Grove in 2011. K.J. Pressley had six catches for Carson in that game.
Last week: Carson lost 19-14 to North Rowan; Northwest is opening its season tonight
Next week: Carson is home against Hickory Ridge; Northwest is home against South Rowan.
Game notes: It figures to be a major advantage for Carson that it has a game under its belt while Northwest doesn’t, but the Trojans were in the same boat in 2011 and still managed to handle Carson.
As if often the case, Northwest figures to be stronger on defense than offense this season.
NWC coach Rich Williams heads into his fifth season missing 16 starters, plus an all-star kicker. And for a 3A school, a lot of people are expected to play both ways.
Strengths for the Trojans are the offensive line and linebacker. The marquee returner is baseball slugger Jarrin Hogue, who will play both ways as a fullback/linebacker.
Probably for the first time in the series, Carson has the more experienced team, but it’s still hard to say the Cougars are favored since they are 0-1, they are on the road, and they have yet to win in the series.
Daren Isom had some success running the ball for the Cougars in the opener, while big nose C.J. Cain keys Carson’s new 3-4 defensive look. — M. London

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