Football Conference Previews & Small Talk

Let me be clear, I don't trust any team from third on back in the SMAC conference. Somebody will finish third and be strong at the end, but why not take a preseason guess?

2015 SMAC 2A/3A

9) Draughn: They struggled last year and I don't see much improvement.

8) Burns: From what I have gathered, the numbers are low at Burns this season. Now that doesn't mean an absolutely bad season. They could finished third like anybody else in the conference.

7) Chase: Until they prove themselves, they have to be stuck close to the bottom. However, the potential for a really good season is very possible. They will likely be better than most think.

6) East Burke: The Cavaliers of Burke County seem to think that this could be a solid year for themselves. Most of their skill players return. Those who played JV last year that move up to varsity this season experienced a winning season as well.

5) R-S Central: The Hilltoppers return to the field after winning eight games and grabbing a playoff win. I am not seeing exactly the same results from a year ago, but I bet they will be competitive none the less.

4) East Rutherford: It's not the fact in which they will have athletes or lineman, but depth is a huge question. A couple of key injuries and they could be at the bottom.

3) Kings Mountain: Once again, they likely will have the third most talented team in the SMAC, but the last two seasons, they have faded down the stretch.

2) Shelby: The Golden Lions are very capable of winning the SMAC, but they will have to run through Crest to make it happen.

1) Crest: Just like Shelby, they are loaded again and seem poised for another conference if not another state title. Crest has beaten SMAC rival Shelby, three years in a row.

As for the SPC, it's anybody conference to win with the exception of maybe Highland Tech.

2015 Southern Piedmont 1A

6) Highland Tech: They have won twice in the last five years.

5) Community School of Davidson: Very one dimensional. They have a good fullback, but winning could prove more difficult in this conference for them.

4) Thomas Jefferson: Last year was the best TJCA has ever done in football and they should be competitive this season. They will have more depth, but have to replace many of their skill spots.

3) Pine Lake Prep: I would not be surprised if this was the team to beat in the conference. They return nearly everybody, has a great coach and gave many teams problems in the SPC a year ago.

2) Bessemer City: Might have the most quality returning from the SPC than anyone. However, their two best rushers are gone.

1) Cherryville: They have half their team back and won three of their last four regular season games to close out the year.

There is one monkey wrench thrown into the equation. Mt. Island Charter recently was able to join the SPC. They will be athletic and have better numbers than everybody in the SPC. The only varsity game to date came against Pine Lake where they lost by 59. However, it's not quite the same since they have enrolled some new kids and had nowhere near the numbers of a year ago.

Finally, we talked to the coaches of Rutherford County and share what they had to say about the upcoming season.

R-S Central Coach Mike Cheek: "I am concerned about both sides of the ball, but if we can gel as a team and run our systems well, then we can hang with other teams"

East Rutherford Coach Clint Bland: "For this to be the first week of practice, they sure have gotten after it and I like our attitudes so far."

Chase Coach Daniel Bailey: "We excited! A lot of work has been put in during the offseason. Our kids want to compete at a high level."

Thomas Jefferson coach Jerry Cash: "It seems like our offense it ahead of defense at this point. We are young at some spots, so expect us to make some mistakes early."