*Time: 7:30 p.m.
*Records: Salisbury 6-4, 2-4 CCC; Providence Grove 5-5, 2-4 CCC
*Series: Hornet fans will get there first look at Climax, N.C.
*Last week: Salisbury battered North Rowan 52-8 on the field but that was one of four games the Hornets forfeited Thursday; Providence Grove lost to Ledford 14-7.
*Next week: Salisbury still figures to be in the 2AA playoffs. Providence Grove should land in the 2A bracket. It’s one of the smallest 2As.
*Home and road splits: Salisbury is 4-0 on the road (on the field); Providence Grove is 2-2 at home.
*Scoring: Salisbury piled up 352 points in 10 games. The Patriots have scored 194.
*Defense: Salisbury has permitted 114 points on the field. Providence Grove has allowed 187. Officially, those Hornet forfeits will be recorded as 1-0 losses.
*Game notes: Players such as end Chris Javis and halfback A.J. Ford were thinking about a perfect season on Monday. Suddenly, they find themselves in a game tonight to decide sixth place in the CCC.
On the field, at least, Salisbury canpost the county’s first perfect regular season since West was 11-0 in 2005. It would be the first such season at Salisbury since Desmond Adams, Andre Turner and Calvin Everhart were dominating YVC foes in 1995.
Considering he’s been in the backfield with Salisbury’s all-time rushing leader Dario Hamilton the last three years, Ford has carved out quite a career. He’s rushed for 1,696 yards, amassed 581 receiving yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
While you’re tipping a helmet to Ford, tip one to coach Todd Shuping and Providence Grove as well. This first-year team has beaten North Rowan, East Davidson, Trinity, East Montgomery and Randleman.
It’s impressive that Providence Grove has scored more points than it’s allowed. It hasn’t been buried by anyone. The most lopsided loss was 38-17 against Lexington.