Common Sense says South Rowan is the team flying under the radar in the county.
After South was stuffed 28-0 by West Rowan’s awesome defensive line on Sept. 25, the Raiders vanished from the headlines and message boards, but the talent level of coach Jason Rollins’ senior class hasn’t changed.
Blake Houston, B.J. Grant, D’Andre Harris, Cadarreus Mason and Thomas Lowe were special in August victories against A.L. Brown and Salisbury. They’re still special guys in October.
While South dissolved overnight into the giant shadow cast by West, East emerged as a compelling story. Now North is a feel-good story. Carson is having its best season. Salisbury is gearing for another CCC title run.
Lost in the shuffle is South because it’s harder to get excited about a team trying to finish second.
But Common Sense says the Raiders have a future. They’re 5-2, and chances are decent that they’ll wrap the regular season 9-2.
So what? Well, for one thing, South hasn’t won nine games in a regular season since it was 9-1 in 1981.
Maybe South even wins a couple of playoff games and finishes 11-3. That would tie the school record for victories set in 1983.
The point is that South’s season isn’t over. Actually, it may just be getting started.
While we’re on the subject of South, I will mention that Houston could become the school record holder for total offense tonight. He has 2,394 passing yards and 837 rushing yards for 3,231 yards of total offense. The school mark is Kevin Sides’ 3,376 yards.
It’s going to be interesting to see who prevails in the horserace to become the ninth 3,000-yard back in modern county history ó South’s Lowe (2,763 yards) or Carson’s Shaun Warren (2,572).
One thing even South and Carson fans can agree on is that high school football is a bargain. Admission is about the same as a fast-food cheeseburger, fries and beverage, and you’ll see more of your friends at a ballgame than in a drive-thru. Plus, there’s less cholesterol.
High school football is also a better deal than big-time college football. Let’s see, now. Forty bucks to see Duke play Maryland or $5 to watch K.P. Parks run over people. Easy decision.
The picks were 16-1 last week, but modesty prevents me from mentioning that fabulous feat. Common Sense gave you East over Statesville by four and A.L. Brown over Cox Mill by 54, and that’s what happened. Had North Rowan kicked a few PATs, the Cavs’ score against North Moore would’ve been on the nose.
Like winning, brilliance is contagious. Expect more sharp predictions tonight.
East has the night off.
The picks:
South Rowan 28, West Iredell 12
Mason will block both Warrior PATs ó and fall on them ó for a little poetic justice.
West Rowan 49, Statesville 7
Like Santa Claus, the Falcons expect to be very active in December. They can run it. They can throw it. They can stop you.
Carson 42, North Iredell 6
North Iredell leads the NPC in one category ó homecoming invitations.
It’s hard to see the Raiders spoiling the festivities in China Grove.
Salisbury 27, Central Davidson 0
The Hornets’ defense has been eating its Wheaties and is now the county’s most underrated unit.
The Salisbury ‘D’ held West Rowan to 14 points. All 11 guys deserve all-county for that.
Albemarle 28, North Rowan 6
North’s ‘D’ has to play lights-out and the offense can’t turn it over. The Cavs will find out how far they’ve come.
A.L. Brown 49, Mt. Pleasant 7SPC looks like the Wonders and the Seven Dwarfs, but NW Cabarrus may prove Common Sense wrong.
West Forsyth 27, Davie 21Titans are undefeated, but don’t rule out an upset. Davie often plays well in Clemmons.
YVC: West Montgomery 27, South Stanly 20; East Montgomery 19, North Moore 7; South Davidson 16, Chatham Central 12
CCC: Thomasville 20, East Davidson 10; Lexington 21, West Davidson 7
SPC: NW Cabarrus 27, Hickory Ridge 14; Concord 24, Cox Mill 6; Robinson 35, Central Cabarrus 14
CPC: North Davidson 31, Reagan 10; R.J. Reynolds 29, Mount Tabor 17