The Cougars (7-2, 3-1 WHC) defeated Mitchell 21-6 in a Saturday matchup which was delayed due to heavy rain last Friday. Avery and Madison got their game in despite the rain last week, with Avery winning 22-14. A season ago the Vikings were victorious over the Cougars 21-20 in Newland.
Scouting the Cougars:
Mountain Heritage is coached by sixth year veteran head coach Joey Robinson and lost only two starters from a team that finished 4-8 in 2007. Just two seasons ago, the Cougars were winless at 0-11 and have orchestrated a great reversal of fortune.
Approximately two thirds of the Cougars roster are seniors, as the team employs a spread offense with Wing T variations, using receivers to spread the field and open running lanes for the Heritage backfield.
The Cougars offense is fired by senior quarterback Kirk Burnette, who threw for almost 1,300
yards in 2007 and connected on over 60 percent of his passes. Heritage also employs misdirection on offense, with its greatest weapon being the legs of running back Jesse Ballew, a 5’9” speedy runner who is very elusive and has gained 1,246 yards with 12 touchdowns this year.
Casey Randolph, the leading rusher for the Cougars last season, is a junior who is a quick change of pace back who fits well in the misdirection scheme that Heritage runs. Senior wide receiver Dylan McMahan (6’1”, 170 lb.) caught seven touchdowns last season, and caught a score last week against the Mountaineers.
Senior offensive lineman Zach Howell is a three-year starter and All-Western North Carolina performer. Howell is “a phenomenal athlete who moves incredibly,” Coach Robinson told a preseason publication. Howell possesses deceptive speed, as he can run a 5.0in the 40-yard dash.
The multiple defensive front is led by junior linebacker Kyle Barrus (5’11”, 210 lbs.) senior Jake Fox (5’10”, 200 lbs.), and 6’2” senior Thomas Burleson.
The Low Down:
The Avery defense will be greatly tested by a strong Cougars running game. The Mountain Heritage offensive line is a veteran group that can match size with the Avery front line.
For Avery to be successful Friday night, the team will need to take care of the football as it did last Friday against Madison, and the Vikings must account for and contain Ballew as well as any team has all season.
Last week, Avery quarterback Adam Pate showed no effects from the hamstring injury which limited him the past several weeks. Pate can be the difference-maker for the Big Red if the game is tight in the fourth quarter.
Look for the Vikings to attempt to shorten the game as much as possible, working to find continued success in the ground game that it leaned upon for victory against the Patriots in the rain last week.
By the Numbers:
0- wins by Mountain Heritage over Avery since the turn of the century.
2- fourth down conversions by Avery in three attempts in last week’s win.
3 – touchdowns rushing by Adam Pate in last week’s victory over Madison.
7 – touchdown passes by Cougars quarterback Kirk Burnette this season.
17 – points per game allowed by the Cougars defense in conference games this season.
198- yards rushing by Jesse Ballew in Saturday’s 20-6 victory over Mitchell.
203-rushing yards by Avery in last week’s win over Madison.
