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Where do I start? R-S Central felt heartbreak in week one and East Rutherford met the same fate in week two of high school football.
So, Austin Hollifield throws a beautiful 54-yard pass to a wide open Will Hollifield with three minutes left to go, pushing East Rutherford’s lead to 42-28 at North Gaston last week. Everybody in the stadium thought it was over, but as ESPN’s Lee Corso would say…“Not so fast my friend.”
NOGA (2-0) gets two touchdowns and the two-point conversion after the second touchdown to take a surprising 43-42 comeback win in just over two minutes. And don’t get me wrong, the Wildcats are an improved football team.
However, sloppy defense, a couple of penalties that they should have never committed and just not finishing ultimately cost the Cavs their first win of 2013. Honestly, the young East defense concerned me to start the season. Believe me though, East Rutherford (0-2) learned their lesson and a bunch of kids grew up in this defeat.
East Rutherford will have to regroup as they head to Tuscola this Friday. Watch out for Tuscola’s Bryce Myers who ran for two touchdowns a week ago. I think Griffin Stamey is underrated as the East wide receiver had 130 yards last week and Kameron Garrison (129 yards rushing vs. North Gaston) has a bright Cavalier future ahead in running the football.
Over in Rosman, Thomas Jefferson was just avenging last year’s 1A playoff loss against the Tigers as they led 21-0 in the second half and held on for a 21-13 road victory. Efrim Borders scored twice last week in the win.
Thomas Jefferson (2-0) has our game of the week as they host Avery (1-1) in their first home game of the year. For Avery, #1 Tre Jackson is their go-to-guy as he not only quarterbacks, but kicks the field goals too. Jackson should rush the ball a good bit himself along with #14 Daniel Childress.
I do expect a defensive struggle on Friday as last year Thomas Jefferson won a 13-6 match-up. Avery (1-1) has allowed less than 10 points a contest so far, but only averages 7.5 points per contest themselves in 2013.
Two players that I feel like will step up this week are #3 Tyler Mitchell and #24 Trey McGhee. Mitchell already has two interceptions and recovered two fumbles this season, while McGhee continues to be all over the field on defense.
Still undefeated, Chase (1-0) will conduct another big game, but this time it’s a battle of the Trojans. Chase is at home against Bandys, who has a pretty stout football program. Bandys (2-0) has won nine games or more in five of the last ten seasons. Chase has lost the last four times to Bandys, but they haven’t played each other since 2004. Week one was great win over the Red Devils, but this Friday would be a marquee win if Chase can make it happen.
Bandys quarterback Logan Beegle already has four passing touchdowns in two games and Chase will have to find somebody to block Colton Medlin who already has three sacks and 80 yards receiving in two games.
Let’s face it, Josh Wright is going to have to ware out the Bandy’s defense. Chase who pitched a fourth quarter shutout in Newton will need to carry that defensive momentum into this one as well. I am also liking D’Andre Kelly to have a pretty good game for Chase on both sides of the ball.
R-S Central (0-1) will travel a short distance to Polk and hope to rebound from their one-point loss that occurred two weeks ago. Reece Schlabach can throw and run, while Anthony is the main receiving target on offense and big trouble at the linebacker spot on defense.
If R-S Central maintains clock control, plays well defensively and punches in two or three touchdowns, it could be the Hilltoppers beating Polk for the second straight year. In the battle of neighboring counties, that’s easier said than done in this series.
R-S Central needs Matt Atchley to have a big game on both sides of the ball in rushing and pass defense. The Hilltoppers will need solid line play from a reliable Robbie Rothrock.
