Round 1 to RS, TJCA in Huge Game Friday

Round one of this season's Rutherford County Championship goes to R-S Central (4-3, 1-3), who got past Chase 26-7 last Friday. It was Central's rushing game led by Tyrese Tate that led them to four touchdowns on the ground and well over 250 yards in that category. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers defense allowed just over 30 yards rushing on the night. Chase (2-6, 0-5) was their own worst enemy with penalties and just not executing when in dire need of doing so.

The Hilltoppers will host Kings Mountain (6-2, 3-2), which they have beaten two straight years. Kings Mountain is much better than a year ago. The biggest reason is that Jair McCluney has been tough to stop at running back. Jake Merchant and Kavin Mosely lead the wide receiver corps for Kings Mountain.

Central will have to play their best defense on the season since the Mountaineers hang nearly 35 points per game. R-S Central must force the Mountaineers into third and long situations.

Chase has a bye this weekend, but will resume the season with a date at Kings Mountain on October 23rd.

East Rutherford (3-4, 1-3) lost to Shelby 54-20 last Friday. The Cavaliers were down 24-6 at the half, but erased it down to 24-20 in the first minute of the second half. Shelby (8-0, 5-0) went onto score 30 unanswered from there.

Jarvis Hutchins continues to impress at safety and nabbed five catches for 73 yards last Friday.

East will head to Draughn this coming weekend. At times, East was impressive. They registered five sacks, came up with punishing hits and had three interceptions on defense in the first 30 minutes against Shelby. Offense is still a big question for East, even though it does seem to get a little better every week. No shame for the Cavaliers in the run game. Shelby's run defense seems to be getting a little better every week as East was held to just 62 yards rushing in last week's loss.

Draughn and East both like to run the pigskin and Draughn (4-4, 2-3) can make this a tight game if they control the line of scrimmage. East does have a speed advantage and a little better defense than Draughn.

In Southern Piedmont 1A play, Thomas Jefferson (6-0, 2-0) easily handled Cherryville as they cruised to a 49-7 victory on the road. It was win #300 for Coach Jerry Cash with 30 of those victories coming as the Gryphons head coach.

Thomas Jefferson posted all 49 of their points in the first half including a Nick Norris interception for a touchdown and a Nomi McMullens punt return for a score. Nick Mintz added four more touchdowns (two passing and two rushing) as he makes a case for SPC player of the year.

The Gryphons have undoubtedly their biggest game of the season as they trek to play Community School of Davidson (5-2, 2-0). Joey Bernardini paces the Spartans ground attack. Bernardini already has over 1,000 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns this season. They also have a better a passing attack which has totaled more than 800 yards, but they have thrown six interceptions this season.

Thomas Jefferson must force turnovers and force them to throw passes. TJCA must keep their own defense off the field.

NASCAR: Many Chasers had issues this past Sunday at Charlotte, but not Joey Logano or Kevin Harvick, who finished first and second. This Sunday, it's a trip back to Kansas. Jimmie Johnson may have won here earlier this season, but I will take Kevin Harvick to win with Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon rounding out the top three.

My NCAA Top 5 Rankings: 1)Baylor 2)TCU 3)Ohio St. 4) LSU 5)Clemson.

My NFL Top 5 Rankings: 5)Atlanta 4)Denver 3)Green Bay 2) Cincy 1)New England (Carolina at No.6).