South Rowan-A.L. Brown preview

Published 12:00 am Friday, August 28, 2009

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: A.L. Brown 1-0; South Rowan 1-0
Series: Wonders lead 39-7-2
Last meeting: A.L. Brown won 28-7 in 2008
Streak: Wonders have won the last five meetings and 13 out of 14
Last time South won: Raiders prevailed 37-36 in OT in 2003
Last week: A.L. Brown thumped Statesville 35-13; South beat Salisbury 38-20
Next week: A.L. Brown is at Thomasville; South is at NWC
Game notes: The Raiders have played A.L. Brown every year since South opened in 1961, but victories have been scattered ó 1968, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1994 and 2003. The 1983 and 2003 victories required OT. This is one of those rare years in which South has more firepower than the Wonders, but Brown’s defense appears stingier.
In breaking a five-year losing streak against Salisbury, South had a 69-yard run, kickoff returns of 94 and 70 yards and even a 38-yard gain on a halfback pass. Receiver B.J. Grant scored two TDs and backs D’Andre Harris and Thomas Lowe combined for 237 rushing yards. QB Blake Houston threw a TD pass and ran for a score.
The past two seasons, Brown has limited Harris (31 carries, 67 yards) and put major heat on Houston (24 carries, minus-36 yards). Houston did throw for 141 yards against the Wonders in 2008 ó including 105 to Grant. With Lowe now in the mix, the Wonders have a lot of athletes to try to defend.
Mark Good john recovered two fumbles for the Wonders last week. Tevin Jones caught two TD passes, and Travis Riley ran for three TDs.Tyler Gilmore probably will be the quarterback. Starter Martel Campbell was knocked out of the Statesville game by a concussion.