BELMONT — It’s only Wednesday, but South Point coach John Devine already sounds like he’s out of breath when he’s asked about Friday’s second-round 3A state playoff contest with A.L. Brown.
“It’ll be a track meet, a barnburner, a knockdown-dragout. It’ll be everything and anything you want to say about it,” says Devine, who sounds like he could give Don King a run for his money as a promoter.
But obviously, this is a football game that doesn’t requite a whole lot of hype. After all, this one isn’t exactly Lennox-Tua. This is more like Ali-Frazier. This could be the game of the year in the state. Even couch potatoes who aren’t making the trip to Belmont are bouncing off the walls as they get psyched up to hear Frank Santore’s animated call on Wonder radio.
The early matchup of A.L. Brown (11-1), seeded eighth, and South Point (11-0-1), seeded first, is one that is worthy of the Western finals. In the AP rankings, South Point stands second and the Wonders third among 3A teams. Yet, the wonderful N.C. seeding system has them squaring off in the round of 16 on Friday.
The only blemish — if you can call it that — on South Point’s record is a tie with 4A power Ashbrook, which is still very much alive in its own tier of playoffs. The blemish on the Wonders’ record you know all about. They lost at West Rowan on Oct. 6 after leading 22-10 with just over two minutes left in the game.
That “two-minute thrill” or “two-minute grill” — depending on which team you root for— could cost coach Ron Massey’s team this week. Had the Wonders held on against West Rowan, they would have been seeded first in the West and could have played home games until it was time to pack for Chapel Hill. They wouldn’t have had to worry about South Point for another couple of weeks — if at all.
Instead, harsh reality sets in Friday with a road trip to face an unbeaten team, which has lost just once in two years. That lone South Point loss came by a 17-16 count to Ragsdale in last year’s playoffs.
That’s not to say the Wonders can’t beat the Red Raiders. But it won’t be easy.
“South Point will not be intimidated in any way,” said Concord coach E.Z. Smith, who has been declared the resident expert on the matchup since he lost 28-0 to the Wonders in the last week of the regular season, and by 28-13 at South Point in the first round of the playoffs.
“Concord and Kannapolis intimidate some people,” said Smith. “Not South Point. They have a similar tradition. They’ve won state championships.”
Smith gives the Wonders the edge in the kicking game with the Raiders, but says that’s negated by South Point’s owning the home field.
“A lot depends on weather,” said Smith. “Give Kannapolis a dry field where (Wonder QB) JoshLee can throw it 15 times and that’s an edge to Kannapolis. Josh throws it better than (South Point QBDevon) Lowery does.
“But if it’s wet and sloppy, that’s a big edge to South Point. Their quarterback’s a better runner than Josh and they’ve got a fullback that can power it right over you. Kannapolis’ backs are more the finesse type.”
Smith says the teams boast equally explosive offenses — “they can both score from anywhere on the field” — and solid defenses.
Concord’s game with South Point was much closer than its contest with the Wonders. Concord was down only 21-13 late in the game and had the ball. But Smith said Wonder fans shouldn’t get overly excited about the comparative scores.
“We did a much better job on offense against SouthPoint than we did against Kannapolis,” he said.
n
The key to a Wonder win is to figure out a way to stop Lowery, who has made All-Southwestern Conference team four years in a row. Lowery is not exceptionally big (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) or fast (4.8 for 40 yards), but is an incredible athlete and leader. He’s an outstanding baseball prospect and a terrific basketball guard, besides excelling in football. Lowery has huge hands and is a master of running Devine’s triple-option offense, which has been dubbed the “redbone.” He can pitch the ball with either hand.
“We aren’t fancy and we aren’t going to knock you down. I just point this bunch in the right direction and Lowery makes the right reads,” said Devine. “Whatever you give us — that’s what we’re gonna take.”
Most of the time, the Raiders take quite a lot. Lowery and speedy back Rasharde Reid have both rushed for well over 1,000 yards.
Massey, of course, is intimately familiar with trying to slow the redbone. He coached at Kings Mountain prior to coming to A.L. Brown and the Mountaineers are in South Point’s conference. Massey and Devine have had some shootouts.
“Ron and I have had our matchups in the past,” agreed Devine, whose son Drew starts in the Raider backfield. “But what’s happened before, won’t matter Friday. These are different teams.
“I will say this. The good thing about Ron is that his teams play you hard, but they play you clean. We’re looking forward to it.”
So are thousands of people across the state.
n
IF YOU’REGOING:Take I-85 South to Exit 27 (Belmont/Mt. Holly). Go left at the top of the ramp. Follow the road until it dead-ends at a stop sign. Turn left on Central Ave. The school is 1 1/2 miles on the right. Turn right at the stoplight (Nixon Rd.) to the stadium.
n
Mike London will cover A.L. Brown through the playoffs.
Today's News