The schedule is light on action this week, but that doesn’t mean that it will be light on drama.
Statesville will be in Spencer for a rematch of one of the best nonconference games from last year.
Statesville was looking to ice the game in the closing minutes. A forced fumble by Jake “From North Rowan” Pritchard was the spark the Cavaliers needed. Five plays later, North Rowan’s Jareke Chambers scored the game-winning touchdown with 7.3 seconds left on the clock.
It was madness.
This year’s game will be another matchup of two talented squads.
Statesville blew out Hickory 70-19 in the first week of the season. Last week was an off week for the Greyhounds.
North Rowan dominated East Rowan in Week 1. Then it got a two-touchdown victory at Carson last Friday.
The teams have major contributors back on offense, so this year’s matchup could be even better.
Common Sense went 2-2 last week, but the overall record is 6-4. Every week above .500 is a good week.
Now, onto this week’s picks.
Statesville at North Rowan
This one should be as exciting as last year’s edition, which will be hard to do. Reasons for that were stated above.
Then there’s these.
Chambers showed his big-play capability on his first carry of last week’s game at Carson. Chambers rolled 56 yards for a touchdown, setting the school career rushing record in the process.
Quarterback Alexis Archie, who missed last year’s game with an injury, and big-play receiver Sakil Harrison figure to be huge factors in this as well.
The Greyhounds have talented, playmaking quarterback Travis Ramseur calling the signals for the second season. In the season opener against Hickory, the junior connected on 8 of 12 passes for 191 yards, ran eight times for 101 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns.
The signs point to there being a shootout in Spencer on Friday night.
Common Sense pick: Statesville 49, North Rowan 42
Salisbury at West Rowan
Last week was a return to old-school West Rowan football. The Falcons ran the ball more than 40 times. Kacey Otto attempted only six passes.
Harrison Baucom had a spectacular game last week at Davie County. Baucom accounted for 274 of the Falcons’ 326 total yards. He ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns, made the Falcons’ only catch of the night for 33 yards, and kicked six extra points.
His only mistake was missing one of the PATs because the chinstrap on his helmet snapped and hit him in the eye.
As good as last week was for West Rowan, it was as bad for Salisbury. The Hornets got blown out at Ludwig Stadium by East Rowan. The Hornets scored three second-half touchdowns in a 54-28 loss, but the game was already out of reach.
If West Rowan can run the ball like it did last week, the Falcons should roll.
Common Sense pick: West Rowan 52, Salisbury 6
A.L. Brown at Weddington
A.L. Brown got back on track last week against South Rowan. The Wonders crushed the Raiders 51-7. They also gave the Raiders’ offense a not-so-nice parting gift along the way. South Rowan starting quarterback Aaron Kennerly suffered a sprained shoulder.
Brown is on the road this week at Weddington as it tries to build positive momentum leading up to conference play. Weddington is undefeated after games against Charlotte Ardrey Kell and Marshville Forest Hills. The Warriors have a veteran defense, a unit that produced a quartet of shutouts in 2013.
The Wonders were tested early last week by South Rowan’s defense before they got rolling. More of the same this week would not be out of the question.
Common Sense pick: A.L. Brown 17, Weddington 10
Davie County at Lexington
The War Eagles got run over last by West Rowan. This week, expect them to be the ones to do the running over. Lexington has scored only seven points in two games this year. The Yellow Jackets were blown out 50-7 in the season opener at Monroe, and they were beaten 39-7 at Newton-Conover.
This game is Lexington’s home opener. So, it could start out as a close game. Eventually, though, the War Eagles, averaging 42 points per game, should take over and come away with a win.
Common Sense pick: Davie County 38, Lexington 10