Kevin Carver
Thursday, October 11, 2018 8:16 am

This Friday may be the biggest game East Rutherford has played since 05 as they host South Point. All four county teams are home this Friday.

South Point (5-2, 1-0) at East Rutherford (7-0, 1-0)

East Rutherford had little trouble with R-S Central following the fi rst quarter in a 48-0 win in last Friday's rivalry game. Now, they have South Point, who is the conference favorite to win the league. Keaton Hale runs the offense, which is really tough to defend. Normally, a military style option is a very quick hitting offense that can take 20 plays or one depending on what look they get defensively. Ray Grier returned two punts for touchdowns and Naseem Jones scored three rushing touchdowns a week ago. South Point isn't as deep as they were a year ago, but they remain a top 2A threat in the state. The two losses they have already were to solid clubs in Crest and Clover. East does have a couple of issues coming into this game. 1) Demetrius Mauney, who is committed to Purdue as a running back and also starts on defense, will likely not be able to play Friday. Mauney was ejected after taunting. He has more than one ejection this season, so as a result of the rules, he will likely not be able to play this Friday. 2) Ty'J Cooks looks to be out with an injury. East will need a big game from Jayden Waddell, Cameron Simmons, Jordan Harris and Calvin Jones. Bottomline, East needs to keep possession and not give up turnovers. No question, East can win! At press time, Mauney was still not eligible to play and if he was, I might pick this game differently. I also like the Red Raider's defense and discipline a little bit better. South Point 35-27.

Thomas Jefferson (7-0, 3-0) Highland Tech (3-3, 0-3)

Last Friday, the Gryphons were leading 49- 26, but barely hung on to a 49-46 victory on the road in a trap game at Community School of Davidson. Nomi McMullens accounted for six more touchdowns and had help from Shemar Petty and Dakota Twitty. This Friday, they have Highland Tech for Homecoming. The Gryphons are 5-0 all-time against the Rams on the football fi eld. However, this is the strongest Rams team in 10 years with a predominant run game. If TJCA shows up ready to play for real, the Gryphons easily win. Thomas Jefferson 44-18

East Gaston (0-7, 0-1) at Chase (2-5, 0-1)

Chase continued the dreadful streak to Shelby as they lost again to the Golden Lions 49-0. The Trojans played well early, but mistakes and the speed of Shelby fi nally overwhelmed them. There is a silver lining though. Chase will host East Gaston this Friday. East Gaston has yet to give up less than 27 points in a game this season. They are only averaging 10 points a game as well. There is one thing that Chase now knows how to do in some respects and that is win. East Gaston has lost 10 games in a row going back to last year. If they heal up from the Shelby loss last week and just execute, Chase should win. Chase 36-14

Shelby (4-3, 1-0) at R-S Central (1-6, 0-1)

The Hilltoppers did a great job defensively in the first quarter, holding East Rutherford's high octane offense to 6 points, but they eventually lost 48-0. East just wouldn't allow Central's run game to get going. Central also had some mistakes and the speed of East was too much. This Friday is homecoming, but the schedule does not get any easier. Shelby is up next and the Golden Lions still have a speed. Shelby 42-6.