Last week we put 10 undefeated teams on upset alert and each one passed with flying colors. This week, four teams with perfect records will look to stay that way in Week 9 as we take a look at some of the best games from around the state (including CoachesAid.com rankings):
Tarboro (7-0, No. 3 in 2A) at Kinston (7-1, No. 6 in 2A): Each week it seems there's a big game in the Eastern Plains 2A conference and this week is no different. Unbeaten Tarboro will get a test when it travels to Kinston, whose only loss is to 2A No. 2 Southwest Edgecombe. Tarboro has given up a grand total of 28 points this season with three shutouts – no team has scored more than seven. Kinston can score some points, checking in at 37 per game, so the battle of the Vikings should be a good one.
East Lincoln (5-2) at Lincolnton (5-2): What could be better than getting two rivals who are both on hot streaks together for a battle? The Lincolnton Wolves have won four of their last five games, while East Lincoln's Mustangs have won five of their last six. The Wolves crushed Statesville (50-22) and Cherryville (43-14) in their past two contests, while the Mustangs have rolled to four wins in a row since a one-point loss to East Gaston. The joint will be hoppin' when these two get together.
Wakefield (6-2) at Wake Forest-Rolesville (7-0, No. 7 in 4A): Can Wakefield make it two in a row over the Cap 7 bullies? After knocking 4A No. 10 Leesville Road from the ranks of the unbeaten, the Wolverines look to do it again against 4A No. 7 Wake Forest-Rolesville. This should be a classic battle of offense vs. defense. Wakefield, winner of four straight, average 39 points per game. The Cougars, on the other hand, feature the best defense in the state, giving up less than four points per outing.
North Mecklenburg (5-2) at Mallard Creek (6-1, No. 5 in 4A): The host Mavericks have played fabulous football all year, including in an opening one-point loss to 4A No. 1 Charlotte Independence. Junior quarterback Marquise Williams can run as well as he passes, and he does both extremely well. The visiting Vikings let down after a big win over Lake Norman with a 19-10 loss to West Charlotte, so a win against Mallard Creek would be a huge boost. But it is a tall order as the Mavericks seem like a team on a mission since that opening game loss.
C.B Aycock (7-0, No. 5 in 3A) at South Johnston (6-1, No. 10 in 3A): Two hot 3A Eastern Carolina squads will square off Friday night in Four Oaks. The unbeaten Golden Falcons fly with a high-powered offense that averages 40 points per game. C.B. Aycock has scored 60 or more points in two games this year but also has won low-scoring games by a touchdown (14-7, 13-7). The Golden Falcons are battle-tested, but so is South Johnston. The Trojans have won four straight games, and their spread offense tallies 31 points per game. If the game comes down to a field goal, the advantage goes to South Johnston and super-kicker Edgar Herrera.
Northwest Cabarrus (6-1) at Hickory Ridge (4-3): One team that has run under the radar this season but now deserves notice is Northwest Cabarrus. The Trojans have won five straight since stumbling against 3A No. 1 West Rowan and come into this contest at Harrisburg having just taken a thrilling 30-27 victory over Robinson. Meanwhile, Hickory Ridge would like nothing better than to pull the upset at home and the Ragin' Bulls have won two straight. The Trojans had best be on their game.
Rutherfordton-Spindale Central (7-1) at Patton (4-4): The Hilltoppers opened the season with four wins before losing to a very good Tuscola squad. They have since bounced back with three straight victories. It wouldn't be exaggerating to say that R-S Central has been one of the best teams in the state the past three weeks, having shut out two of its opponents and allowing one touchdown to another. However, the Hilltoppers take to the road to Morganton to face a Patton squad that has had an up-and-down season and would like nothing more than to pull the upset of the year. After starting the year 4-2, Patton has dropped its past two games.
Polk County (5-2) at Avery County (4-3): The battle of mountain counties finds two very evenly matched squads doing battle in the autumn air. The visiting Wolverines started the year with two wins, suffered a loss, and then won two in a row. Another loss followed, but Polk County took a 29-0 win over Mitchell this past Friday. Avery, on the other hand, has won three of its last four games, but last weekend was taken apart by 1A No. 7 Hendersonville. The Vikings hope to bounce back at home, but the Wolverines will be equally hungry for a win.
Purnell Swett (7-0, No. 10 in 4A) at Richmond Co. (6-1, No. 8 in 4A): The defending state champion Raiders will get quite a test when unbeaten Purnell Swett travels to Rockingham. The Rams are coming off a hard-fought 38-37 shootout win over Scotland Co. Swett averages 35 points per contest and figures to add to that total against a Richmond Co. team that allows 19 points per contest. Look for a high-scoring affair in this one. The Raiders are even better on offense, lighting up the scoreboard for 38 points per game.
Jordan-Matthews (6-2) at Providence Grove (6-1, No. 10 in 2A): Providence Grove is tied for the Mid-State conference lead with 2A No. 1 Reidsville. Both teams are 2-0 in league play with Jordan-Matthews just a game behind. The Jets got thumped last week by Reidsville 42-8. Providence Grove has put together a fine season, bolting out to a 6-1 record while scoring 34 points per outing. The 2-year-old school's only loss came three weeks ago to unbeaten 2A No. 8 Northwood by a 19-14 count.
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