Common Sense is on the comeback trail seeking respect after fumbling the big East Rowan-Carson game last week.
East was out-rushed and out-passed by the Cougars but not out-scored. If you’re a Mustang fan, one out of three ain’t bad.
If you looked at the county stats yesterday, you noticed Carson now ranks higher than East both offensively and defensively.
But if you look at the standings, East is right up there tied with West Rowan in the NPC race, and the standings are considerably more important than the stat sheet.
Last Friday was the Common Sense columnist’s first look at the mighty Mustangs, and while East doesn’t wow you with individual talent, the sum is greater than the parts. Collectively, East is a good team that plays physically and with poise.
As you’ve probably heard until you’re tired of hearing it, East is 6-1, and the Mustangs really should be 7-1 at about 10 p.m. tonight even though they’re playing on the road against a school that’s had their number.
East coach Brian Hinson has a team that brings back memories of the one Ron Massey coached at A.L. Brown four years ago.
The 2005 Wonders had few big names, but they won eight games by a touchdown or less. They won a lot of them late and a lot of them ugly, but they kept plugging all the way to the semifinals of the 3AA state playoffs.
Massey said after each cardiac victory in 2005 that he didn’t know if his team was any good or not, but he did know his team was special.
The 2009 Mustangs actually trailed winless Cox Mill, and East’s loss was a 46-10 decision to a 3-3 team.
The positive side is that East already has managed to win four games decided by seven or fewer points. Even if these Mustangs aren’t great, they are special.
The picks were a dismal 8-3 last week and are 40-11 for the season.
The guesses:
West Rowan 35, Carson 6
K.P. Parks and Shaun Warren have combined for eight 200-yard rushing games this season.
West should get its 32nd straight win against a county foe without too much stress. Boyden/Salisbury teams went 32-0-2 in a run from 1965-77 for the county record.
North Rowan 54, North Moore 0
No reason to think this will be competitive. If North Rowan can beat Albemarle next week, it can win the YVC, but that’s a large if.
Salisbury 27, West Davidson 7
The schools have played four thrillers in a row, but this CCC opener should be a breeze for the Hornets ó even in Tyro, where they’ve had some dogfights.
East Rowan 18, Statesville 14East beat Concord 30-0 to end a 30-year dry spell against the Spiders. Look for six Andrew May field goals to break an 18-year drought against the Greyhounds.
A.L. Brown 54, Cox Mill 0
No school records figure to be set. Brown’s 97-0 romp over Northwest Cabarrus in 1998 will be tough to top.
R.J. Reynolds 14, Davie 13
If you’re just a football fan looking for the best game, head to Mocksville.
In the YVC, it’ll be Albemarle 49, South Davidson 7; West Montgomery 37, Chatham Central 6; South Stanly 27, East Montgomery 6.
In the CCC, it’ll be Thomasville 35, Central Davidson 7; Lexington 24, East Davidson 13
In the NPC, it’ll be West Iredell 34, North Iredell 7
In the SPC, it’ll be Concord 27, Central Cabarrus 14; NW Cabarrus 31, Robinson 7; Hickory Ridge 20, Mt. Pleasant 14 In the CPC, it’ll be West Forsyth 27, North Davidson 14; Mt. Tabor 36, Reagan 12