Well football is here. Fitting that possibly one of the best games of the season in NC is week 1.
Catholic and Christian have played the past three years after taking 15 years off and Catholic leads the three games 2-1.
Honestly looking at this game and film it's always tough to get a beat on Christian because they never show much in scrimmages. People talking about how great Cox Mill looked, but the Knights didn't show much of what they're capable of in that scrimmage.
I do think Catholic has the edge in this game. The Cougars have 16 returning starters from last season's state title team and last year beat Christian without DE Kevin Coss who returns and LB Chase Foley who graduated.
Last season turnovers and penalties played a huge rule, Christian turned the ball over 4 times including three in the redzone which allowed Catholic to hang around and ultimately win the game. I expect no different this year.
I think Catholic's backfield will be solid once again with Junior Lamagea McDowell, Senior Michael Neel and Sophomore Paul Neel/Senior Vaughan Hall it'll be a tough assignment for the Knights to keep the Cougars backfield in check.
Pair that with returning QB Chris Walton and the Cougars are loaded for bear, but the key as always with Catholic is upfront. The line is as big as I've ever seen at Catholic I believe their average weight is 275 pounds, and the second team OL is just as big as well.
Christian will have their hands full with that as several of their starters go both ways, which in the 90+ degree heat can take a toll, especially if Catholic begins going on 10+ play drives.
On defense, Catholic's front four is as good as I've seen. Navy commit Ari Rodriguez leads the way with Richmond commit Nick King on one end and Kevin Coss (15 sacks in 2017) on the other. The other tackle spot has several guys who can rotate in led by Senior Jack Morgan.
Linebackers and safeties also look pretty solid led by Senior Brian Jacobs who will be Catholic's all time leading tackler by the end of the season.
All in all, the key for Catholic will be tiring out the Knights on defense. In the state title game a year ago Catholic had four drives of 14+ plays. I feel like they can do the same against the Knights, but the key will be taking care of the football.
As for Chrsitian, their all-world QB Garrett Shrader is the real deal and I think is as good as there is in the state of NC. The key will be keeping him in the pocket and not allowing him to use his legs to get to the outside and burn Catholic.
I think Catholic wins this game behind their running game and a defense line that can wreck havoc all game long.
Catholic and Christian have played the past three years after taking 15 years off and Catholic leads the three games 2-1.
Honestly looking at this game and film it's always tough to get a beat on Christian because they never show much in scrimmages. People talking about how great Cox Mill looked, but the Knights didn't show much of what they're capable of in that scrimmage.
I do think Catholic has the edge in this game. The Cougars have 16 returning starters from last season's state title team and last year beat Christian without DE Kevin Coss who returns and LB Chase Foley who graduated.
Last season turnovers and penalties played a huge rule, Christian turned the ball over 4 times including three in the redzone which allowed Catholic to hang around and ultimately win the game. I expect no different this year.
I think Catholic's backfield will be solid once again with Junior Lamagea McDowell, Senior Michael Neel and Sophomore Paul Neel/Senior Vaughan Hall it'll be a tough assignment for the Knights to keep the Cougars backfield in check.
Pair that with returning QB Chris Walton and the Cougars are loaded for bear, but the key as always with Catholic is upfront. The line is as big as I've ever seen at Catholic I believe their average weight is 275 pounds, and the second team OL is just as big as well.
Christian will have their hands full with that as several of their starters go both ways, which in the 90+ degree heat can take a toll, especially if Catholic begins going on 10+ play drives.
On defense, Catholic's front four is as good as I've seen. Navy commit Ari Rodriguez leads the way with Richmond commit Nick King on one end and Kevin Coss (15 sacks in 2017) on the other. The other tackle spot has several guys who can rotate in led by Senior Jack Morgan.
Linebackers and safeties also look pretty solid led by Senior Brian Jacobs who will be Catholic's all time leading tackler by the end of the season.
All in all, the key for Catholic will be tiring out the Knights on defense. In the state title game a year ago Catholic had four drives of 14+ plays. I feel like they can do the same against the Knights, but the key will be taking care of the football.
As for Chrsitian, their all-world QB Garrett Shrader is the real deal and I think is as good as there is in the state of NC. The key will be keeping him in the pocket and not allowing him to use his legs to get to the outside and burn Catholic.
I think Catholic wins this game behind their running game and a defense line that can wreck havoc all game long.
