Common Sense prevailed in Rowan County, except in one place. We’re looking at you Landis.
South Rowan did not play a great game by any stretch, but the Raiders played well enough to beat South Iredell 31-21 and start the season on the right foot.
The plate of crow tasted pretty rotten over at the home of Common Sense. It was raw and nasty.
As long as the Raiders’ have Qwan Rhyne on the team, they have a guy who can make the big play when the big play needs to be made. He scored the Raiders’ first touchdown of the season on offense, the second on defense and set up the third with a spectacular kickoff return at the start of the second half.
The Raiders’ defense was not too shabby either.
It was in the right place at the right time to pick off two tipped passes from South Iredell starting quarterback Brennan Settle. It was there again at the opportune moment to get a fumble off the ground and sprint 20 yards to the end zone for a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter.
Maybe so much doubt shouldn’t be cast on the Raiders this season. Maybe things aren’t as bad as they appeared when the Raiders and West Iredell — both winless teams in 2013 — battled to a 20-20 tie at a preseason scrimmage at Mooresville.
South Rowan faces another tough test when it takes on A.L. Brown this week.
Common Sense went 4-2 in the opening week of the year.
Also, it was one point away from hitting the nail on the head in the Battle for the Bell. So, we’re going to pat ourselves on the back for that one despite totally whiffing on the South Rowan vs. South Iredell game.
Now, onto this week’s picks.

South Rowan at A.L. Brown
There is no way Brown can be happy after last week’s 20-14 loss to fierce rival Concord. Why would it be? One foot separated the Wonders from a huge victory in The Battle for The Bell. Concord has taken three straight from Brown in the longest continuous rivalry in North Carolina.
Sandon McCoy, who was stopped short of the goal line on the final play, gained 121 of his 138 yards in the second half.
Brown’s defense is not to be overlooked either. That unit held the Spiders, with stud running back Rocky Reid, to seven yards and zero first downs in the second half.
It’ll be another tough test for South Rowan’s offensive line.
Common Sense pick: A.L. Brown 42, South Rowan 3

North Rowan at Carson
The Cavaliers take their show on the road this week as they travel to China Grove to take on the Cougars. North Rowan comes off a 43-21 victory over East Rowan that could have had a larger margin of victory. Carson held on to beat Salisbury 42-35 in a game that should have had a larger margin of victory.
The big question in this game is the status of North Rowan running back Jareke Chambers, who is just 49 yards away from setting a new school rushing record. Chambers injured his left ankle in the season opener against East Rowan. It is not known if he will play Friday against the Cougars.
Carson’s offense is no slouch though. The Cougars’ wishbone attack was led last week by running back Brandon Sloop. Sloop scored three touchdowns and averaged more than 10 yards per carry a week ago.
North Rowan’s defense, however, will likely contain that run-heavy option attack.
Common Sense pick: North Rowan 38, Carson 17
West Rowan at Davie County
West Rowan got thoroughly dominated in its 28-point loss in the season opener to Mooresville. The Blue Devils ran over the Falcons for 356 yards rushing. Stopping the run was once a forte for West Rowan. Now it may be an area of concern. Of course, Mooresville could be that good at running the ball.
Davie County was ahead of Page by three scores in the second half last week. The War Eagles held on to defeat the Pirates 45-40.
Davie County gained more than twice the yardage through the air than it did on the ground. Although it registered 36 carries to just 24 pass attempts.
Davie’s secondary could be a problem. Page threw for 200 yards on just seven complete passes.
Common Sense pick: Davie County 28, West Rowan 21

East Rowan at Salisbury
Both of these teams will be hungry for their first win of the season.
Salisbury was down by 28 points with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Hornets injected drama into the game by scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the next seven minutes. It was pandemonium in China Grove.
East Rowan had a much tougher opponent than Salisbury did in the first week. The Mustangs lined up against North Rowan, a projected N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state title contender this year. The Mustangs dominated the Cavaliers on the field without running up the score.
With all that in mind, this game is a total toss up. What happened last week is no precursor for what could happen at historic Ludwig Stadium on Friday night.
Common Sense pick: Salisbury 17, East Rowan 10