–Pigskin Preview - Week 9 - by Michael Hughes
18 October 2007Games of Oct. 19, 2007
Brevard @ Pisgah
West Henderson @ East Henderson
Owen @ Hendersonville
Hayesville @ Robbinsville
Franklin @ North Buncombe
North Henderson @ Smoky Mountain
Tuscola @ Asheville High
Four shoot-outs and a major upset highlighted last week’s action in western North Carolina. Mitchell’s 45-42 win over Hendersonville came on a last-second, 31-yard field goal; Murphy outlasted Andrews 50-34 after building a 34-0 lead; and North Buncombe won a 39-35 thriller at Tuscola, again on a long distance score with under 1:30 to play. In a close encounter, Pisgah nipped North Henderson in overtime, 31-30, after a clutch end to regulation and some confusion in OT. With all that, the biggest win last Friday belongs to Swain County, a formerly winless club that upended arch-rival Cherokee, the Smoky Mountain Conference favorite and former frontrunner.
This week promises more excitement as league leaders try to widen the distance as other teams seek to close the gap.
Six total losses seem out of place for a game of this magnitude, but Brevard (4-4, 2-0) and Pisgah (6-2, 2-0) are still the teams to beat in the balanced WAC. After the seats have been filled at Canton Memorial Stadium, the grounds will shake from the noise above and the ground will quake from the collisions below. The Blue Devils have played the toughest schedule in the mountains and are starting to come around after injuries slowed them down in September. Pisgah’s passing offense is also beginning to click and sure-handed wideout Jarrod Canard requires frequent double coverage. If the Blue Devils succeed there, it won’t help for long—there are too many targets for quick-firing QB Tyler Jaynes. Brevard needs to out-blitz the Black Bears, who have averaged nearly 35 per game since a September 15 loss at Mitchell. The team that gets off to the fastest start will have an upper hand in what should be a dandy. Black Bears, 24-21
One of the region’s most heated rivalries comes to East Flat Rock when West Henderson (2-5, 0-2) takes on East Henderson (4-4, 1-1). Both teams have been inconsistent this season, and have a lot to prove. If tailback Justin Allen is close to 100 percent, that would be a difference maker for the Falcons. The possibility gives West a slight edge; otherwise, the pinpoint passing arm of Zach Corliss needs help from somewhere else to offset the loaded Eagles arsenal. Corliss’s counterpart at QB, Chase Hill, needs to step up and make the West defense break away from the box. Falcons, 21-20
Four teams have a single loss in the competitive Western Highlands. Two take a stand when Owen (6-2, 3-1) tangles with Hendersonville (6-3, 3-1) Friday night. The potent Bearcats are coming off consecutive nail-biters while the effective Warhorses have coasted in their last two games. Owen could enter Dietz Field poised or overconfident; Hendersonville may feel snake-bit and could try to force things too quickly. Whichever way this game goes, the action will be fierce and first rate. Warhorses, 35-31
The biggest SMC game this week pits Hayesville (5-3, 2-1) at Robbinsville (6-3, 3-1). Thanks to Swain County’s “shocker” over Cherokee, both clubs are in position for a move up. With another win this week, the Black Knights could be playing for the conference next week at Cherokee. The Yellow Jackets are in a tight spot with two games left—one at Murphy—and lost an earlier battle with the Braves. Black Knights, 27-21
In the 3-A MAC, the key match-up tomorrow kicks off at North Buncombe (7-2, 3-1). A win in Weaverville can revive Franklin (4-4, 1-2); a loss could be like a final blow to the chin. The Panthers have lost three of their last four and face a team that remains in the league hunt. On the surface, containing duel threat QB Randy Pressley looks like a tall order for the well-rested visitors. The Black Hawks main focus is bruising tailback Josh Young. Franklin has had two weeks to shore up its defense, but simulating Pressley in practice wasn’t easy, no doubt. The Panthers are prepared but the home team is riding higher. Black Hawks, 27-24
Despite a difficult home loss last Friday, North Henderson (5-3, 0-2) showed everyone just what it was made of. Next up for the Knights is hard-driven and equally determined Smoky Mountain (5-3, 1-1). One more loss and North is out of the WAC chase. The Mustangs are still a game out at this point. These teams normally play it tight and neither side will back down, but the time ticks faster for the Knights tomorrow evening, and a running clock means fewer chances. Mustangs, 21-17
Asheville High (6-1, 3-0) is the hottest team in the mountains, with few weaknesses. Tuscola (4-4, 1-2) has a finely-tuned offense but needs a better defensive effort on the road. The Cougars show no signs of slowing down, with a proven O-line, a revolving door of high-caliber receivers, and an underrated running attack that is seldom dominated by one individual. Mr. Morgan continues to shine behind center and has kept his head at a level best. The Mountaineers need an exceptional effort, which they’ll give, and could use a strong game plan on both sides of the football. Cougars, 38-20
—Michael Hughes
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