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Thomas Jefferson Wins First Conference Game; All Is Going Wrong With The Panthers

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Kevin Carver

A newly realigned Southern Piedmont Conference is alright with Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy football (5-1, 1-0). The Gryphons opened up conference play with an easy 46-0 road victory over Highland Tech in Gastonia, Friday.

Coty Flynn rushed for three of the five TJCA touchdowns and even Steven Hargro got into the act. On defense, it’s the first time in school history that they have pitched a shutout as they come up with four turnovers.

A huge game is on tap this Friday as they travel for the second of four straight conference road games. They will be at conference contender, Cherryville. Although, the Ironmen are just 1-5, they play the seventh toughest schedule among 1A schools as they have lost to two 3A schools and three 2A schools so far. If there’s any consolation, the Ironmen haven’t scored over 20 points in a game this season.

As for the battle of the Rutherford County Championship, the wait is over and it starts at Chase this Friday. Last year, it took all Chase (3-3, 1-3) had, but they were able to get past R-S Central (1-4, 0-3), 21-14. It’s my pick for game of the week.

Chase has finished more games off this season, but Central has been weird to figure out this year. Central beat Polk and was impressive against Crest their last outing before falling 33-17. So, I wouldn’t expect Chase to overlook this one and I wouldn’t be that surprised if it was a close game. Chase was beaten by 38 at Crest this past week, which should leave the Trojans angry the next time they see the field.

Who can win the field position, turnover and defense battle is likely to take this one.

As for East Rutherford, they host Shelby this Friday. I will say that they defensively played impressive for a half at Burns, losing just 9-0 before the Bulldogs wore out East Rutherford (2-4, 2-1) during the second half in a 31-0 loss. Although, Shelby has won the last 24 games against Rutherford County on the gridiron, the Cavs and Shelby have had some close games as well.

On the soccer field, Thomas Jefferson’s boys lost its first game of the season to another top ten 1A school and new league foe, community School of Davidson, 2-1 last week.

Chase had won 10 games in a row until R-S Central knocked them off in the rematch, 3-1 last week. The Trojans did reach its highest ranking in the program history as they moved to number 12 in 2A. Apparently nobody is giving the conference enough credit as Shelby was sent back to 15th. Central, who picked up two wins this past week, is knocking on the door of being ranked among the top 15 in 2A.

Unless the Carolina Panthers (1-3) find a turnaround, the 2013 season will be over as soon as it started. Carolina starts the year with a close loss to a team I believe could win the Super Bowl, Seattle. However, a fumble inside the ten yard line late in the game resulted in a 12-7 loss. Then, the Panthers lose 24-23 to a rookie quarterback and a below average Bills team after leading the entire game.

In week three, Carolina absolutely dismantled the New York Giants and looked like they might resurge in a 38-0 win, then received a bye in week four. 

Carolina had at least six chances to score points, but instead can’t finish plays this past Sunday. They end up with two field goals and back to awful they go in a 22-6 loss at Arizona. Granted, Arizona didn’t play bad defensively, they lost to a team that had Carson Palmer at quarterback. That’s just inexcusable. 

They have 12 games left with head coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton being thrown under the bus ever since the week 2 loss at Buffalo.

Rivera has made some questionable calls, sometimes being to conservative and at others, not so much. Newton on the other hand plays well at times and throws a flat ball at others. In Arizona, Newton was responsible for all four Panther turnovers. Still, Carolina has great line play on both sides of the ball, but somebody is going to have to finish plays. Greg Olsen has been the bright spot as many teams are focusing on Steve Smith.

Carolina heads to Minnesota this weekend before coming back to Charlotte against the Rams. The Panthers definitely play better at home, giving up just six points per contest at home this season.

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