It’s the final week of the regular season. So, let’s keep this segment short and sweet.

We made it to the final week of the regular season. It always goes by in a flash. That last sentence doesn’t do it justice, but there is no more simple way to put it.

We in The Salisbury Post sports department — and sports departments with a focus on prep sports across the country, really — talked in August about the speed of the season.

It went something like this, “It’s Week 1, and you put your head down. The next thing you know, you look up, and it’s Week 10.”

That happened for Common Sense at Week 8.

The season got rolling Aug. 1 with the first day of practice. As the teams began their official preparation for the season, we started to put together the annual football preview section.

Then the games come. That’s when everybody is moving — to borrow a phrase from the greatest movie ever made, “Top Gun” — at “Mach 2 with our hair on fire.” We all just try to hang on once that football is kicked off.

Week 2. Week 3. Week 7. Week 9. Week 12. They all run together.

Now, here we are on the first Friday night in November. It’s the final night of the regular season. Let’s sit back and enjoy the last week when all of the teams in the area are guaranteed to play under the lights.

Common Sense went undefeated in the penultimate week of the regular season. That’s right, let’s slap a big 7-0 on the board and do a big, old fist pump.

The overall record stands at 52-11. Boom.

Let’s look at this week’s matchups…

North Rowan at Salisbury

Lots on the line tonight for these two.

Salisbury has rebounded from its dismal start to go unbeaten once it got to the Central Carolina  Conference portion of its schedule.

North Rowan has quietly won six straight games — all against 2A opponents. It also has a healthy Sakil Harrison on its side.

It’ll be a great atmosphere. The Hornets have the home-field advantage. The Cavaliers have the edge on talent.   

Common Sense pick: North Rowan 35, Salisbury 20

South Rowan at East Rowan

The Mustangs high-powered offense will outduel South Rowan’s tough defense. Also, Samuel Wyrick and Seth Wyrick will set career county records on this night.

Common Sense pick: East Rowan 42, South Rowan 7

Cox Mill at Carson

The Cougars need this one to assure a spot in the state playoffs. Carson has a good offense and a suspect-at-times defense.

The Chargers have a great offense, evidenced by their league-leading 394 points through only 10 games.

Common Sense pick: Cox Mill 42, Carson 35

Hickory Ridge at West Rowan

The Falcons are riding a three-game losing streak for the first time since Scott Young’s first season as head coach. That was in 1998 for what it’s worth.

This could have been a showdown for second place in the South Piedmont Conference. The Ragin’ Bulls have that locked up, and the Falcons are in a three-way tie for third with Cox Mill and East Rowan.

They’ve also scored 42 points or more in three of the last four games.

Common Sense pick: Hickory Ridge 35, West Rowan 13

Davie County at Mount Tabor

Davie County and Mount Tabor are tied for fourth in the Central Piedmont Conference.

The War Eagles scored 107 points in their last two games. Mount Tabor has scored 104 points in that same span.

No matter what happens, this shapes up to be a high-scoring affair.

Common Sense pick:
Davie County 49, Mount
Tabor 47

A.L. Brown at Hopewell

The Titans have been shut out three times in the last five games. They won 25-0 last week, but that was against Jay M. Robinson.

The Wonders should roll in this one.

Common Sense pick: A.L. Brown 42, Hopewell 0