Finally.... time for an opinion piece here on the blog!
There's nothing like a good ole' fashion backyard rivalry game to get a high school football team ready for playoff football. This Friday local high school teams get to add another 'W' in the column while taking bragging rights away at the expense of one of their most disliked opponents on the schedule.
Here are my two cents worth on a few of these matchups:
1. Avery at Mitchell
Avery enters Friday's border war in Ledger off a 21-20 win over an improved Mountain Heritage Cougars team. Mitchell pasted Madison 40-7 a week ago. Avery has won four straight in this series, last losing 16-7 on a cold, foggy night in Newland in 2002.
Mitchell boasts arguably the most explosive offense in the mountains with QB Joe Hoilman pulling the trigger and a complement of weapons in Jarrett, Bomar, Miller, Jensen, Jones, and company. The Mountaineers lit up Cloudland 72-21 earlier this season and hope to do the same to its bitter rival.
Avery meanwhile is still in a sense looking for its identity, especially on the defensive side of the football where the coaching staff has had to be creative to fill in holes left by injuries and lost players. The defense must play at its best this week in hopes of making Friday's contest a low-scoring affair. The higher the score, the more the game will favor the Mountaineers. And, oh yeah, the winner of this one might share a piece of the conference championship should Polk County lose this week to Hendersonville.
2. Hampton at Cloudland
My associate Matt is better suited to give a complete lowdown on this matchup across the TN border (which I understand is coming in a post prior to Friday's contest). Nevertheless, here is my take:
The 'Landers have been impressive in their ability to bounce back from losses to their two North Carolina rivals. Many felt that Cloudland might have been a year away, seeing that they were installing a new offense with a new coaching staff. But credit the team from Roan Mountain in putting the pieces together quickly with QB Jordan Hughes and company leading the way, and they are having a solid season to date.
The Bulldogs will ride into Orr Field Friday night as Cloudland's stiffest test since their loss at Mitchell. Hampton has a number of weapons offensively and a good-sized offensive line to protect senior QB Michael Lunsford. These two teams respect one another, but don't expect to see much love out on the field Friday night. Add the fact that a conference title is on the line between these intra-county schools, and there's a recipe for a potential barnburner this week.
3. Hendersonville at Polk
I add this matchup into the discussion because of its implications in reference to the Western Highlands Conference championship. Polk is in the driver's seat, already having clinched a share of the crown. A number of teams could add their names to the trophy, however, should the Wolverines stumble to the Bearcats Friday night.
These two teams know one another well and have played a number of close contests. Hendersonville, being one of the teams (in addition to Owen, Mitchell, & Avery) who currently have two conference losses, still have much to play for. On paper, Polk looks to be the better team on both sides of the football, but Hendersonville's team speed and its ability to run the football may keep the Bearcats in this one.
Enjoy these rivalry games this week!
NOTE: NCHSAA playoff football brackets are released on Saturday afternoon from the state office in Chapel Hill. TSSAA brackets should be released around the same time.
Where each of the teams discussed will be playing next week can be found right here at the blog on Saturday night (once the respective associations have the opportunity to correct any mistakes and finalize where teams are playing next week).
