Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: West Rowan 1-1; Salisbury 2-0
Series: West has overcome a huge deficit to lead 17-14.
Streaks: West coach Scott Youngis 9-0 against the Hornets, while SHS coach Joe Pinyan is 0-4 against the Falcons.
SHS brings a 12-game winning streak into the contest. West brings a 37-game, 10-year county winning streak to Ludwig Stadium. SHS’ last win against West was 18-7 in 1996.
Last meeting: West won 28-0 in Mount Ulla in 2010
Last week: West outscored Davie 45-32; Salisbury beat rival North Rowan 35-6
Next week: West has a highly anticipated matchup with South Pointe, S.C.; Salisbury plays at home against South Rowan
Game notes: Needless to say, fans tired of West’s county streak are anticipating a Salisbury victory.
It could happen. Salisbury has the best chance anyone in the county’s had against West in a long, long time, and the Hornets very nearly knocked off the Falcons when they visited Ludwig Stadium two years ago. West and K.P. Parks escaped that physical struggle with a 14-7 victory.
Salisbury’s veteran defense and the backfield of QB Brian Bauk, fullback Max Allen and halfbacks Dominique Dismuke and Justin Ruffin have thoroughly devastated the Hornets’ first two opponents, although neither opponent was a major test.
West is far more battle-hardened, having knocked helmets with two 4A teams. West also figured out some things last week, as QB Zay Laster, WR Jarvis Morgan and DB C.J. Ellis delivered breakout performances.
All of this year’s stats heavily favor the Hornets, but the two most relevant numbers may be Young’s perfect record against SHS and his program’s amazing county streak.