nTime: 7:30 p.m.
nRecords: Carson 0-0; North Rowan 0-1
nSeries: North leads 1-0
nLast meeting: Cavaliers prevailed 12-7 in China Grove
nLast week: Carson did not play; North lost to West Rowan 60-0
nNext week: Carson is home against Salisbury; North entertains East Rowan
nGame notes: Carson’s first win after 22 straight setbacks?
It could happen. The Cougars lost 12-7 to North in 2007, and Carson appears to be much better this year than in its first two seasons. The Cougars are bigger and stronger than in the past and they have a chance to win the battle upfront against the Cavaliers, who were dominated on both lines by West Rowan last week.
Carson also has talent at the skill positions with Daniel Yates moving from running back to receiver to join Travis Hayes and Shaun Warren assuming the bulk of the ball-carrying responsibilities.
North just got overwhelmed everywhere against West Rowan in the most lopsided loss in school history, but it’s not like the Cavaliers are headed for 0-11. They’re not going to be up against someone as physical and talented as West every week.
North can win tonight if talented athletes such as Lathan Charleston and Cameron Mallett can break some big plays. Charleston has been one of the standout receivers in the county in recent seasons and has 66 career catches for 1,108 yards and 12 TDs.
He didn’t catch a ball against West, only the third time in his varsity career he hasn’t had a reception. Carson did a good job of containing him last year.
North’s defense, led by linebackers Vince Shropshire, Greg Melton and Javon Hargrave, could make this a low-scoring game.
Big North lineman Keith Reid got banged up last week.