* Time: 7:30 p.m.
* Records: Northwest Cabarrus 2-0; South Rowan 0-2
* Series: South leads 19-6
* Last meeting: Northwest whipped the Raiders 28-7 in 2007
* Last week: Both teams enjoyed their ibyeî week
* Next week: Northwest is home against West Rowan
* Game notes: Both teams open the grueling, nine-game NPC season.
Northwest won the last four meetings in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2007.
Northwest was supposed to be history after quarterback Jeremy Cannon went down with an injury, but all the Trojans have done is blow out two 4A opponents ó admittedly, two 4A opponents, Central Cabarrus and Robinson, who arenít overwhelming.
Jonathan Wallace has filled in admirably for new coach Rich Williams as Cannonís replacement. Heís thrown for 247 yards and three TDs.
Dolando Clowney has rushed for 194 yards and four TDs to balance the offense and take some pressure off Wallace. Northwestís receivers and defense were supposed to be good ó and they havenít disappointed.
Still, this is a game that should tell everyone if Northwest can contend in the NPC without Cannon. South is 0-2, but lots of teams would be 0-2 if they played Salisbury and A.L. Brown.
With Kelsey Robinson and Cadarreus Mason, South will present by far the best defensive front the Trojans have faced, and linebacker Reid Shaver was a tornado against A.L. Brown.
Anyway you look at it, itís a critical game for the Raiders, who are 5-7, 2-9, 3-8, 3-8 the past four seasons.
If South loses, it falls to 0-3, and with West Rowan, Mooresville and Statesville on the schedule, a winning season becomes a longshot.
Southís had more success historically against Northwest than any other school on its schedule.