Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Central Cabarrus 0-3; South Rowan 3-1
Series: South leads 8-1
Last meeting: South won 7-0 in 1984
Streaks: South swept all eight meetings between the schools from 1977-84
Last time the Vikings beat South: Central won 17-8 in the first meeting in 1973
Last week: Central lost to Marvin Ridge 41-0; South outscored Robinson 35-21
Next week: Central Cabarrus is at Porter Ridge; South is at West Rowan in a key NPC opener
Game notes: Central owns some tradition and produced NFL standout Natrone Means in the 1980s, but it has fallen on hard times.
The Vikings have been thumped by two of the state’s top 3A teams, West Rowan (54-0) and Marvin Ridge (41-0), and things aren’t likely to get a lot better tonight at South unless the Raiders get caught looking ahead to next week’s trip to Mount Ulla.
Back Quintin Gray looks like the biggest threat for the Vikings. QBD.J. Watson managed only 26 yards through the air last week.
As expected, South is putting up nice offensive numbers. QB Blake Houston is fourth in the county in total offense (120.5 yards per game). Backs Thomas Lowe and D’Andre Harris rank fourth and fifth in the county in rushing. They’re teaming for 180 yards per game.
South’s kicking game has been better than in recent years, with Jacob Jester contributing a field goal and 15 PATs.
South is last in the county in total defense and passing defense, but the Raiders have played three very good teams.
Safety Quan Glaspy is a defensive standout for South. He has also scored three touchdowns.