Possible first round close games or upsets

Old Mountaineer

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I'm not familiar enough with the East to comment so maybe someone knows of some.
But in the West just looking off the top a couple matchups is 16 South Stokes (4-6) vs 17 Mtn Heritage (4-6)... 14 Swain County (4-6) vs 19 Winston-Salem Prep (3-6).
 
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Old Mountaineer

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This may sound stupid especially considering their records and maybe it is but I just wonder if the CTK vs Avery game might be a closer game then what the records show.
Just a gut feeling it may be a blow out , one thing about it if you give the Avery QB time in the pocket he'll complete passes.
 
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Old Mountaineer

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The one obvious “upset” in the east that I see is 18 Pender vs 15 Bertie. I suspect Pender will win that one big.
I wouldn't have thought that figured a close game by just looking at their schedule two of Berite's wins was against winless team and three of Pernder's but I'll take your word for it since you know the teams.
 

HowerinJr

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I have a sneaky feeling Perquimans is better than their 2-8 record would suggest. They are the only team in conference that Tarboro didn’t get a running clock against. I can’t account for any injuries they may have sustained since that game though and it looks like they declined a bit since that game. I’m a little biased toward Wilson Prep, but I can’t help but feel they haven’t had enough competition this year to truly trust the 8-2 record. This one feels like it might be way more competitive than a 10 vs 23 game suggests.
 
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R8RNATION

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I have a sneaky feeling Perquimans is better than their 2-8 record would suggest. They are the only team in conference that Tarboro didn’t get a running clock against. I can’t account for any injuries they may have sustained since that game though and it looks like they declined a bit since that game. I’m a little biased toward Wilson Prep, but I can’t help but feel they haven’t had enough competition this year to truly trust the 8-2 record. This one feels like it might be way more competitive than a 10 vs 23 game suggests.
Wilson Prep has improved each week, they are very good for a first year program. No upset here.
 

Thunder_struck8712

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Starmount has never played Cherokee

I kind of felt like that may have been the case. That's pretty crazy actually. But I guess makes sense considering Starmount was either 1AA or 2A during the subdivided playoff years and I assume Cherokee didn't have many playoff appearances in prior years when you actually had to win to make the playoffs.
 

Wildcat10fan

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I don't think Cherokee will be able to stop Dezern. When was the last time these 2 played?

I think Avery is worth watching against Christ the King.

Alleghany might give Hayesville a fight too. That could be a good ballgame actually.
You have never seen Cherokee line and linebackers !!
 

HowerinJr

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Wilson Prep has improved each week, they are very good for a first year program. No upset here.
That’s true. It’s not easy for me to judge since the only games I saw were against NW Halifax and RM Prep. I just know Perquimans is a better team than the 2-8 record suggests. Since Tarboro has a bye, I’m pretty sure I’ll be at that game on Friday.
 
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tarheel28430

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How in the World did Gates County beat Tarboro so bad earlier in year. I was looking at West Columbus draw and noticed we could play Gates in the second round. To be sure they aren’t 40 points better than Tarboro??
 

TarVikes

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How in the World did Gates County beat Tarboro so bad earlier in year. I was looking at West Columbus draw and noticed we could play Gates in the second round. To be sure they aren’t 40 points better than Tarboro??
Gates didn’t beat Tarboro? Not sure what score you’re looking at
 

Slasher Killer

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No way South Stokes beats Mtn Heritage; that's the worst possible draw they coulda had. They've been lucky the past 2 years they made it in with winnable games but they got the bad end of the draw this time. South might score a time or two but they don't have the horses this year. Last year maybe.

WS Prep maybe due to Swain not having that speed. Line will determine a lot there.
 
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WickedStix9

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I don't think Cherokee will be able to stop Dezern. When was the last time these 2 played?

I think Avery is worth watching against Christ the King.

Alleghany might give Hayesville a fight too. That could be a good ballgame actually.
Cherokee has slowed a lot of good backs down this year. Not stopped them but slowed them.
 
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bareman

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thoughts on the Carver at North Rowan game…don’t know much about either
 

bigtime_87

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No way South Stokes beats Mtn Heritage; that's the worst possible draw they coulda had. They've been lucky the past 2 years they made it in with winnable games but they got the bad end of the draw this time. South might score a time or two but they don't have the horses this year. Last year maybe.

WS Prep maybe due to Swain not having that speed. Line will determine a lot there.
SS drew Tville last year and got killed in the first round.
 

bigtime_87

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thoughts on the Carver at North Rowan game…don’t know much about either
NR has some real good athletes. Theye can matchup athletically with pretty much anyone at the skill positions. QB is fast and the tall WR is legit, but he does not block and sometimes his effort or lack of makes him not get the ball. They have some big lineman but have to play both ways and are not physical against the run.
 
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When Cherokee takes care of the ball, they can play with anyone. Sure that statement can fit a lot of teams. Cherokee, at times though, has been really bad with unforced errors, things like fumbled snaps, botched handoffs, spiking it on 4th down, etc. Par for the course with Cherokee teams as they are often undisciplined, but when they play with discipline they are pretty good.