Prep Football Preview: Davie at Hibriten
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 23, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Davie County 3-2; Lenoir Hibriten 3-2
Series: Although both were members of the old WNCHSAA, this will be the first meeting of the schools
Last week: Davie won a 22-17 struggle with Thomasville that could’ve gone either way; Hibriten was shelled 42-14 by South Caldwell
Next week: Davie opens CPC play at home against R.J. Reynolds; Hibriten is home against Hickory St. Stephens
Game notes: Hibriten was one of best teams in 3A the last two seasons, but it was upset by Tuscola in 2009 and lost a bitter struggle with West Rowan in 2010.
This is not the same brand of Hibriten team, although the Panthers to own victories against Patton, Tuscola and West Caldwell.
Besides losing to South Caldwell (4-1), Hibriten was mashed 49-21 by East Burke opening night.
Ground-oriented Hibriten’s offensive leaders are Zac Walker (394 rushing yards), Julius Gaines (341) and QB Jordan Rutherford (184). That trio has combined for 10 TDs.
Rutherford averages eight passes per game. He has four TD tosses, three of them to Gaines.
Davie has a lot of momentum rolling after overcoming an 0-2 start with hard-fought victories over Alexander Central, Lexington and Thomasville.
Davie’s defense, torched early in the season by Greensboro Page and West Rowan, has picked it up considerably, although the War Eagles still are allowing 26.6 points a game.
DB Trevon Faulkner sparked the defense last week. Offensively, Davie QB Adam Smith has 929 passing yards and has rushed for another 186. Stephon Smoot has rushed for 381 yards. Smith’s talented receivers include Nate Jones, Ja-Rae Peebles and Mitch Miller.