Time: 7:30 p.m.
2009 records: Statesville 9-4; A.L. Brown 13-3 (3AA runner-up)
Series: Brown leads 34-12-2 (since 1952)
Last meeting: Wonders won 2005 season opener against the Greyhounds 24-6
Streak: Brown’s won the last three
Last Statesville win: 40-29 in Kannapolis in 2002
Next week: Statesville is at Hickory; A.L. Brown is at South Rowan
Game notes: Two teams that were really good at the end of last season but are rebuilding this time.
Brown is the consensus pick to win a totally restructured SPC, but that prediction is based on tradition (31 straight winning seasons), a stable coaching staff and an undefeated jayvee team, not returners.
Officially, there are only six starters back, plus another six who have been on the field on Fridays with a degree of regularity.
New quarterback Martel Campbell has the unenviable task of following Jamill Lott, who was a threat to score every time he touched the ball last season. Brown averaged 32.7 points a game in 2008, double the amount of points it allowed.
Only guard Tavis Bailey, who will be at a new position, returns on the O-line. The kicker and receivers are also new.
On the other side of the ball, Brown has returning horses in defensive end Dana Moss and husky MLB Terrance Johnson. Johnson has suffered two torn ACLs, but he’s an All-State candidate when healthy.
Brown and Statesville renew hostilities after a four-year hiatus. It’s always entertaining, but there could be some ugly offense on both sides tonight. Statesville put up a fight against West Rowan in last year’s playoffs, but coach Randall Gusler also has only six starters back.