–Pigskin Preview - Week #7 - by Michael Hughes
5 October 2007This week’s Super Seven
Games of Oct. 5, 2007
Roberson @ Asheville High
Erwin @ North Buncombe
Smoky Mountain @ Brevard
East Henderson @ North Henderson
Avery County @ Hendersonville
Mitchell @ Polk County
Robbinsville @ Murphy
Franklin and Tuscola rebounded well last week after consecutive defeats. Owen, meanwhile, stayed in the Western Highlands race by showing why the best defense is sometimes a better offense.
All eyes this week are on MAC favorites Roberson (6-0, 2-0) and Asheville High (4-1, 1-0). The visiting Rams face their biggest challenge of the year after shutting down five of six overmatched opponents in 2007. Both clubs have defeated three of the same teams by similar results, except for one: Roberson hammered powerful Reynolds and Asheville swept past the Rockets in an overtime thriller. The latter tilt was the season opener, and the Cougars have had rising results after some second-week misfortune in Charlotte. Will the Rams’ dynamic defense keep Asheville’s high-powered offense in check? Can the Cougars keep the ball and limit the touches of grinding tailback Justin Wynn? Which quarterback, Rahkeem Morgan or Tripp Weaver, will have the upper hand? What unknowns will come through? Watch for Asheville coach Danny Wilkins to reach inside his bag of tricks if necessary to pull this one out — almost. Rams, 28-24
Either Erwin (3-4, 1-1) or North Buncombe (5-2, 1-1) will be in the thick of the MAC chase pending tomorrow night’s outcome in Weaverville. Despite two lopsided early losses, the Warriors are a team to be reckoned with and have home dates coming up with Asheville High and Roberson. The Black Hawks took it on the chin last week in Skyland but have regrouped. The Nallenweg brothers (Robbie, Rick, and Andrew) return to their former home field as difference makers—for the Warriors, 21-17.
WAC play begins Friday with the preseason favorite reeling from four straight defeats. Brevard (2-4) has been on the short end of the most difficult schedule around in recent weeks, and badly needs to end its worst stretch since a late season slide from ’03. Smoky Mountain (4-2) had trouble holding on to the football last week and now faces a wounded grizzly. Every team from here on knows where the Blue Devils’ are weakest: up the middle, where center/D-lineman B.J. Owens held ground before suffering a leg fracture at Asheville High. The Mustangs attack the hub with ferocity and will do so relentlessly. If they hold on to the football and keep possession, it could be a long night for the home team. Finally, Brevard’s offense gets untracked in a must win situation. It’s nailbitin’ time for the Blue Devils, 24-21.
East Henderson (3-3) is coming off a bye week after losing to Chase, the team that North Henderson (5-1) bounced last week. The Knights own a big win over Erwin from last month and are one of the surprise teams in ’07. A full-house backfield that spreads out for an expanded passing attack has worked well for North, and QB Chris Vanlandingham has made people wonder which sport he will play at the next level. The up-and-down Eagles won’t be outdone this time. East has some silent weapons that are ready to peak. Upset Special of the Week: Eagles, 27-21
A key match-up in the WHC has Avery County (2-4, 1-0) riding south to Hendersonville (5-2, 2-0). The three 1-A schools are atop the split league and the winner in H-ville can stay in step with Polk County. The Bearcats are young but potent offensively, and an off game could result after wearing out undermanned Madison last Friday. The Vikings are a mystery is many ways—humbling Owen before coming up empty at West Henderson, for instance. Bearcats, 24-21
The scoreboard could burn out at “Little Big House” tomorrow, when Mitchell (3-3, 0-1) rides south to Columbus to face Polk County (7-0, 2-0). The Mountaineers can score—112 in the past two weeks—but need a better defensive effort than what they showed in their last outing. It was Owen’s ground game that Mitchell failed to stop last week, and Wolverines QB Derrick Overholt has added legwork to his lethal right arm. With Joe Hoilman in town, two of the best under/behind center will keep the football flying. Polk County’s secondary got a workout last month at Landrum, and the team with the fewest dropped balls will have a huge advantage. Deadlines will be stretched, so visit PrepAlert.com for updates. The gut feeling calls for another upset by the Mountaineers; home field advantage has Wolverines in a pinch, 38-35.
If Robbinsville (5-2, 2-0) can take Murphy (4-2, 1-1) on the road, the whole state will notice what this program has accomplished in ’07. The Black Knights finished sixth in the SMC last fall, but not this year. Under new coach Gene Boley, an ex-Marine and college assistant, Robbinsville has averaged 40 points in its five wins. The Bulldogs (38 pt. avg. in 4 wins) were frustrated at Cherokee recently and need redemption at home. Bulldogs, 34-24
—Michael Hughes
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