Time: 7:30 p.m.
2009 records: West Rowan 15-1 (3A state champs); Central Cabarrus 1-10
Series: Central leads 8-4
Last meeting: West won 28-13 in 2000
Streaks: West has won 14 straight overall and has won its last two meetings with Central.
Last Central win: Vikings thumped West 35-8 in 1998 to end coach Scott Young’s first season at the helm of the Falcons. West was 3-8 that year. Things have changed considerably in Mount Ulla.
Next week: West is home against NW Cabarrus; Central is off.
Game notes: Everyone is anxious to see the Falcons who are missing a number of standouts but have four All-State picks back from last season’s title run.
NCPreps.com preseason state player of the year K.P. Parks heads the list of returning Falcons.
The Virginia commitment will score his 100th career TD the first time he visits the end zone tonight. If Parks rushes 27 times, he’ll reach 1,000 carries for his career, but it’s unlikely he’ll be required to take on a heavy workload in this one. Parks enters the night with 7,121 career rushing yards.
All-State O-lineman Timmy Pangburn, who has moved to center, will anchor the line blocking for Parks. Coleman Phifer is the new fullback.
Obviously, all eyes are usually fixed on Parks, but West’s defense was fantastic in 2008 when it held 11 foes to seven or fewer points.
Arkansas commitment Chris Smith returns to terrorize QBs. Eli Goodson, Emmanuel Gbunblee and Mackel Gaither join Smith in what should be a ferocious front four.
Central coach Chris Shinn makes his debut. The Vikings are glad to be back in 3A after eight years of struggling against Charlotte schools.