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It’s that time again! Are you for the Blue or the Red?
The South Mountain Athletic Conference opener and the initial battle to decide the Rutherford County Championship rolls through the jungle as R-S Central visits East Rutherford this Friday.
I viewed R-S Central (1-3) this past week, which lost 38-15 to Erwin. Despite the score, Central easily could have been tied or down by less a touchdown at the half.
A mistake on an Erwin onside kick and a short punt led to 10 more points as Erwin led 17-0 at the half. Central drove inside the 20 during its first two possessions, but couldn’t make it count.
There is also more bad luck for the Hilltoppers, who already lost running back Dustin Atchley with a broken leg, now quarterback, Elric Ruff likely has a broken arm to his non-throwing hand.
East Rutherford (2-2) took care of West Lincoln this past week 31-14. Another great offensive showing as they came up with a balanced attack. It was the second week in a row that East put up over 400 yards and that the defense scored a touchdown.
As for this Friday, a factor in this one should be line play. Both have seen their struggles at times with this particular issue this season and that could tell the tale. And believe it or not, watching No.5.
Devante Austin(#5) rushed for 143 yards last week against Erwin and two touchdowns for R-S Central, while East Rutherford’s T.J. Watkins (#5) has produced six scores in the previous two weeks.
Defensively, Lavell Robinson for East Rutherford and R-S Central’s Hunter McSwain had big games last week. Expect those two to make an impact this Friday as well. East won last year’s bout at The Palace.
How about Thomas Jefferson? They improve to 4-0 on the year following a late comeback last week. A late interception preserved a 28-27 win for the Gryphons, who stared at 21-6 score at one time. They host Mitchell (1-3) on Friday. The run first Mountaineers have struggled so far this season, averaging just 10 points per game. I don’t expect this Western Highlands Conference opener to be an easy game, but it’s definitely winnable. A win this Friday would boost their 1A playoff seed come late October.
Chase (2-2) kept Cherryville at bay in a 21-18 win last week. Cody Greene scored twice and Josh Wright tallied over 100 yards rushing in the victory.
They get Tyler Bias and Patton (0-4) this week at home in the SMAC opener. Bias, who is averaging 150 yards rushing a game. Patton hasn’t been that effective passing, but they have scored 57 points this season. They scored just 80 overall last year.
NASCAR
Jeff Gordon had bad luck at crucial times this season, but a rain delay just before the halfway mark at Richmond this past weekend was the break he needed. Gordon seemed destined to finish no better than 20th on Saturday night, while Kyle Busch was cruising in the top 10 to stay in the final wildcard spot. However, after a conference during a red flag delay due to rain just before halfway in the event, things turned completely around.
Jeff Gordon car becomes the fastest on the race track in the end, but winds second place, while Busch’s crew chief decides not to pit during the last caution flag. The decision sent Busch backwards, losing a lap and eventually losing the final spot in The Chase to Gordon.
Gordon was a lap down at one time in the event, making this one of the best comebacks this season and in pre-chase history. I know Jimmie Johnson is the likely favorite, but I am going to take Denny Hamlin to win the title. It seems like Denny can do no wrong right now, but that could certainly change.
