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Well, week two of High School Football is in the books and two of the four county teams were victorious. Let's review and preview...shall we?
South Caldwell (0-1) at East Rutherford (2-0)
East Rutherford easily dismantled North Gaston on the road 48-14 last Friday. The Cavs defense was stellar and the offense didn't have to run too many plays before scoring as they put up 27 points in the first quarter. Demetrius Mauney only had to tote the rock four times for 108 yards to find two touchdowns.
Cade Hamilton, Mauney, Josh Wilson and a junior that is also stepping up in Cole Larsen has averaged nine tackles or more apiece in two games this season. The defense also scored a touchdown again thanks to a Calvin Jones interception for a pick-six.
As for this weekend, the Cavs face a young group with a limited roster as South Caldwell comes to town. The Spartans have some size and are led by running back Harley Sullivan, who had over 100 yards last week.
Pick: East Rutherford
Chatham Central (1-1) at Thomas Jefferson (2-0)
The Gryphons are still getting back into the swing of things as they have done enough to get two wins so far. Nomi McMullens, Bill Lay and Miller Outten have been running well, but the competition gets a little tougher this Friday.
The defense has been solid despite not being a sack crazy team. They are just keeping things in front of them and making tackles. There is nothing wrong with that.
Senior Josh Williams is the best athlete among Chatham Central's roster. They will be looking to throw the ball to him quite a bit. It will be up to the TJCA defense to rattle freshman quarterback, Micheal Moore.
Pick: Thomas Jefferson
Chase (0-2) at Bessemer City (2-0)
Chase has done everything in the first two games, but win. Despite an early lead against Polk and Cherryville, conditioning and then mistakes hand Chase a two early season losses. Three touchdowns were called back in the first half and three third quarter drives ended in fumbled turnovers.
Xavier Williams has been outstanding so far and shown to be a superior athlete on the football field again this season. Grant Lanser, Tylon Greene, Ty'lek Surratt, Keith Godfrey and Wesley Wells made some solid plays throughout Friday's 22-19 loss to Cherryville.
If Chase can clean up the mistakes with Williams running and hold long drives on offense, maybe even get the passing game going like it did against Polk, then they can be a tough out every week.
Bessemer City already stung Cherryville (38-7) and East Gaston (22-0). The Yellow Jackets have multiple options to run with the football and have more speed than the two opponents Chase has already faced. Jarkevious Love and quarterback Zavion Williams lead the rushing attack.
Pick: Bessemer City
R-S Central (1-1) at Polk (1-0)
Patton's experience and fullback William Brawley's five touchdowns and over 200 yards rushing was too much for the Hilltoppers. A 64-29 loss was not exactly what they expected, but Patton has a team that had most of the kids back who won eight games a year ago.
Hopefully they can stick to a run first option with Jayden Waddell (who has been phenomenal so far), C.J. Hannon and Devin Littlejohn as the year goes along.
R-S Central will have Polk this weekend in Columbus. Now the Hilltoppers will have to chase down quarterback Dillon Overholt at task. Chase fell by 16 in week one and Overholt isn't afraid to throw it either.
For me, this is a toss up. Central definitely has the potential to beat Polk, but the Wolverines have only lost three times with Bruce Ollis as head coach to Central. Polk has also found two weeks to prepare for this one due to a week two bye. Pick: Polk
Lastly, I want to give a big congrats to Jeremy Clements on winning the Xfinity race at Road America this past weekend. Clements, who overcame a drive-shaft coming through his arm and nearly taking out his right hand in 2004 while racing at a dirt track had to sit out a full year, but never gave up. The Spartanburg based team and driver just proved that a small team can do good things as well.
