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High School football kicks off with it’s first scheduled practice around the state for all schools on August 1st. I know it‘s a little early, but I thought why not preview both conferences that affect Rutherford County.
The South Mountain Athletic Conference is a two-tier conference this season whether you like it or not. One through four and five through nine should be in a heated battle all year long. I wish I could pick R-S, Chase and East Rutherford among the top, but this is what I honestly foresee.
9) East Burke - Have offensive and defensive line woes. Once their senior fullback of a year ago became injured, they scored just six points in the next three games.
8)East Rutherford - Don’t hate me! The Cavs have the most to prove and they lost their best athlete T.J. Watkins to graduation. They could go to as high as five in the SMAC standings. Still, they should have some speed and that ability could nab them a second 2A playoff spot in the conference. You never really know, but the defense was suspect a year ago. They should have a good quarterback in Austin Hollifield and a solid running back in Justin Rogers to help the offense. You still have to block and tackle though.
7)R-S Central - The Hilltoppers have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They won just once a year ago and it’s time for them to have a playoff year. They lost their best athlete in Devante Austin to graduation, but I believe they could be the potential surprise team. They have most of their lineman back and signal caller Elric Ruff in the picture as well.
6) Chase -They lost their two best players from a year ago in Tray Watkins and Shevon Logan…both were defensive ends. Still their whole offense is intact and many know that stopping fullback Josh Wright will be the biggest issue.
5) Draughn - They should have a decent defense and fullback Adam Estep is able to give other teams in the league a headache. Speed is what they lack and many will try to take advantage.
4) Kings Mountain - Chasing running back Dashan Guest won’t be an easy task this year, ask East Rutherford about their 2012 experience. The defense is suspect, but the Mountaineers should have a rootin’ tootin’ offense that could win many a shootouts this season.
3) Shelby - The Golden Lions have the athletes to make a SMAC run, have 13 starters returning, but need to find a quarterback. That shouldn’t be a problem.
2) Burns - Scoring won’t be a problem for the Bulldogs, but just five defensive starters back is a small concern. Despite that fact, I could see them winning the conference.
1) Crest - The Chargers will be powerful even with just ten starters returning and have depth. What more do you need?
Southern Piedmont 1A
6) Community School of Davidson - The only scary part about them is that everybody returns, but scoring was a major problem last year.
5) Pine Lake Prep - Very limited experience here.
4) Highland Tech - It’s hard to believe with how athletic they are on the basketball court that they can‘t field a football team with those type of athletes.
3) Bessemer City - They have a little bit of speed, but just one win a year ago. Twelve starters return as well.
2) Thomas Jefferson - Here is to no jinxing! It’s not certain, but the chance to win a conference title is better than good. They have their best defensive player back in Coty Flynn, 11 of the 22 starters returning and a offense that needs a little time to get acquainted. Better news is that Efrim Borders is back to catch passes and play defense too.
1) Cherryville - They should have one of the bigger teams in the league and a decent defense. They upset Chase a year ago and TJCA has the Ironmen on the road this year.
Also, congrats out little league kids who had two teams win state titles. A Junior Softball Little League State Championship and a Intermediate baseball state championship went to Rutherfordton.
Congrats go to District One champs in Senior baseball Forest City/Polk combo for finishing second in the state and to the 7-8 year old baseball league from Rutherfordton finishing second in the state as well.
