Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Carson 3-2; Statesville 2-2
Series: Statesville leads 3-0
Last meeting: Statesville beat Carson 20-17 in 2008
Last week: Carson ripped Robinson 42-12; Statesville had its open week
Next week: Carson is home against East Rowan; Statesville is at Lincolnton
Game notes: It’s the NPC opener for both teams.
Carson was also 3-2 last season, but after the high of a monumental win at Lake Norman, the Cougars eventually faded to 3-8.
This time, coach Mark Woody’s team has a pretty good chance to make it to 4-2, even at Greyhound Hollow, which isn’t the easiest place to play. If they prevail tonight, the Cougars can legitimately start thinking about a winning season.
Statesville hasn’t scared anyone to this point. Its highlight was a win against Hickory, which is down this year. The Greyhounds were hammered by A.L. Brown and Lake Norman. Last week, Statesville squeaked past South Iredell (1-3).
The Greyhounds haven’t been able to throw the ball ó nine completions, five interceptions ó so the Cougars can dig in to stop the run. If Carson can handle Keyon Harris (73 carries, 342 yards) and K.J. Allison (45-282), they should win the ballgame. The Cougars will count on linemen such as Kaleb Denton and Justice Schenck to stop the run.
Carson set numerous school records in last week’s rout of Robinson, including most points in a game ó 42. Quarterback Zack Gragg set a single-game record with 178 passing yards, as did Cody Clanton with 153 receiving yards.
Tonight, the Cougars shoot for the first three-game winning streak in school history.