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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Week 12 capsules
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Published: November 6, 2009
Statesville Greyhounds at West Iredell Warriors
Site: Warrior Warfield, Statesville
Records: Statesville 3-7 (1-4 NPC); West Iredell 4-6 (1-4 NPC)
Last year: Keyon Harris rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown to lead Statesville to a 17-7 victory over the Warriors.
Last week: South Rowan ripped Statesville for 35 first-quarter points and rolled to a 76-22 victory; West Iredell surrendered 19 unanswered points in the second half and lost 31-14 to Carson.
Outlook: West Iredell has dominated this series of late. Statesville's win last fall snapped the Warriors' five-game winning streak against the Greyhounds.
There are plenty of things to spice up this rivalry tonight, but perhaps paramount among them is what is riding on the outcome for Statesville. The Greyhounds need a win here in the regular-season finale to become playoff eligible.
West Iredell has already gotten to that four-win plateau, but another victory would almost certainly bolster their playoff seeding, even if it were only one spot.
The West defense has imposed its will on struggling opponents this season, and the Greyhounds are reeling after suffering their worst loss of the season last week in which they allowed South Rowan to score two defensive touchdowns in its 54-point win.
South Rowan also scored a pair of special teams touchdowns, and West has one of the best kick returners around in P.J. Clyburn.
Lake Norman Wildcats at Mooresville Blue Devils
Site: Mooresville Stadium
Records: Lake Norman 7-3 (2-3 I-Meck); Mooresville 0-10 (0-5 I-Meck)
Last year: Chris Blanton completed 12 of 16 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown as Lake Norman defeated Mooresville for the first time in school history, 17-7.
Last week: Lake Norman had an open date last week; North Meck outscored Mooresville 21-6 in the fourth quarter to overtake the Blue Devils for a 35-23 victory.
Outlook: Mooresville is desperate to get its first and only win in the regular-season finale, and Lake Norman can break the school record for wins in a season.
Something has to give.
It's been a dreadful year for the Blue Devils. One game doesn't erase that, but a win over their crosstown rival would help begin the healing process as Mooresville heads into the offseason.
Lake Norman's defense has been stout all season, but the secondary will be tested against a Blue Devils team that favors the pass.
The Wildcats are more balanced offensively, and if they can avoid turnovers, they should win.
One other notable: Lake Norman can finish 5-0 against the other county teams if it prevails. The Wildcats have never done that before.
West Rowan Falcons at North Iredell Raiders
Site: Raider Ravine, Olin
Records: West Rowan 10-0 (5-0 NPC); North Iredell 1-9 (0-5 NPC)
Last year: West Rowan held North to eight yards of total offense in a 42-0 rout.
Last week: West Rowan had the week off; East Rowan recovered a late onside kick and tacked on an insurance touchdown to fend off pesky North Iredell, 21-9.
Outlook: The only thing the Raiders can do is play spoiler, and that would be the upset of the century.
Good luck, North, trying to deny West Rowan the outright NPC title.
The Raiders have played well against strong teams like Lake Norman and Alexander Central this season, so they could put up a fight, but the defending 3A state champion Falcons have too much firepower.
Slowing down Kevin Parks would be a moral victory in itself. The West Rowan running back is approaching the state rushing record. He needs 712 yards to tie the mark set by N.C. State's Toney Baker, who amassed 10,241 during his career at Jamestown Ragsdale.
Parks, a senior, erupted for 237 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries a year ago versus North.
East Burke Cavaliers at South Iredell Vikings
Site: Viking Valley, Troutman
Records: East Burke 7-3 (4-2 CVAC); South Iredell 4-6 (3-3 CVAC)
Last year: Did not play
Last week: East Burke lost its share of second place in the CVAC with a 28-12 loss to league-leading Bandys; Newton-Conover plowed its way to 407 rushing yards in a 35-12 victory over South Iredell.
Outlook: The Vikings have run into the teeth of the CVAC the last two weeks, and it doesn't get much easier tonight.
East Burke, led by running backs Kenneth Gaither (755 yards) and Dustin Wilson (689), possess a strong option running attack and averages 31 points per game.
Vikings running backs Quataye Smyre and Quincy Davenport probably need to have big games if South Iredell hopes to keep up with the high-scoring Cavaliers.
South Iredell is already playoff eligible, but ending the regular season on a positive note could carry over into the playoffs.
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