Hibriten (5-0, 2-0) @ Chase (4-1, 0-1)
Prediction: Hibriten 42, Chase 28
The marquee matchup of the week, with undefeated Hibriten (Conference Favorites) traveling to southern Rutherford County to face a Chase team coming off its first loss of the season leaving a bad taste in their mouths. Chase showed plenty of offensive firepower earlier in the year, including a 49-21 win over Madison, but R-S Central exposed some issues in last week's 34-27 conference loss showing coverage busts and holes. Hibriten has been rolling all season and now gets a chance to make a statement against another team that expects to be in the conference title race. I'm expecting Chase to score enough to make this interesting for a little while, but Hibriten's consistency and balance should eventually take over. Not enough AI graphics or motivation to swing the it towards the Trojans.
East Rutherford (0-5, 0-1) @ Draughn (0-6, 0-2)
Prediction: East Rutherford 28, Draughn 14
Here's a game where somebody finally gets off the wagon, and both teams have plenty of motivation to make sure it's not them taking another one. Will this be the week the Conference Suitcase Coach gets his first official W in his new home or does the Wildcats pack the house in Valdese to summon some blackcat magic? East Rutherford has struggled to score consistently in games, but the Cavs have averaged around 224 yards per game and have gotten solid rushing production from Kiawon Whitesides. Draughn has had an extremely difficult start and tough depth/injury issues again this season, including a 42-0 loss to R-S Central, so I would say the scale is leaning more towards ER. Still anticipate a rough mistake laden game with penalties and busted plays which could either lull you to sleep or transition it into a shootout.
R-S Central (5-1, 2-0) @ Patton (1-5, 1-1)
Prediction: R-S Central 35, Patton 7
R-S Central has quickly established itself as one of the teams to beat, and the Hilltoppers just knocked off previously undefeated Chase 34-27. The offense has been rolling all season, with 252 points scored through six games and playmakers such as Jakis Smith producing in multiple phases. Patton has at least gotten into the win column and enters conference play at 1-1, but that's about where the positivity ends. R-S Central has too much offensive firepower if the playcallers dial it up right and they have some momentum right now after their first in-county rival win of the year, and I expect the Hilltoppers to control this one from the opening quarter to make a statement quickly.
East Burke — BYE
East Burke gets a much-needed week off after opening conference play at 1-1. The Cavaliers have already shown they can compete in this conference and are playing hard for the new HC, so this is a good opportunity to regroup and get healthy before the second half of the conference schedule. Sometimes the best thing a team can get after a tough stretch is a Friday night without having to line up against somebody.
. Powell has said repeatedly that hurt his numbers cause freshman and sophomores didnt want to practice all year with little chance of playing on varsity.
