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Mid-October means big-time conference games in the NCISAA, and this Friday has some huge ones. The biggest is definitely #2 Charlotte Latin (7-0) at #1 Rabun Gap Nacoochee (5-1) at Zavala Family Stadium in the mountains of northern Georgia.
The Hawks come into the game in the midst of their best start since the 2016 NCISAA state championship season where they went 12-0. Latin’s offense comes in averaging 32 points a game and only giving up just under 10 points (9.8) a game. Their offense has been under Justin Wheeler’s direction, and he has led them down an unbeaten road so far. Wheeler is 104-177 passing for 1726 yds and 16 touchdowns to only 3 INT’s, and he also has 3 touchdowns rushing.
Standout Sr WR Daniel Haughton has caught 48 passes for 769 yds with 6 TD’s, Sr WR Tyler Hendley is also doing major damage hauling in 24 catches for 595 yds and also 6 TD’s. Soph RB Neil Salvage leads the rushing attack with 301 yds and 2 TD’s.
The defense is anchored by the recent UNC visitor FS Haughton who leads with 57 total tackles.
The Eagles from Rabun Gap Nacoochee have averaged 36.3 points a game and only given up an average of 13.6. Sr QB Aiden Semo has passed for 712 yds on 46 of 91 passing with 9 TD’s and 3 INT’s. The Eagles ground game has been a bigger force with Jr RB Clement Niyokindi rushing for 565 yds and 6 TD’s, fellow Jr RB Yunas Altincinar has gained 593 yds on 78 carries with 5 TD’s and 4 games rushing over 100 yds. Virginia Tech verbal commit WR Tucker Holloway has 337 yds receiving on 19 catches with 4 TD’s.
The Eagles defense will look to slow down the dynamic Hawks duo of Wheeler to Haughton led by the Alabama offered, but current Vanderbilt verbal commit, 6-foot-7, 238-pound, 3-star DE Darren Agu who has 31 solo tackles and 10 sacks.
#1 vs #2 doesn’t always live up to the hype, but this one should be a final possession to determine the winner game.
Also this Friday in 11 Man, the #3 Providence Day Chargers will take a right onto Sardis Road and take the 4 minute ride down the street to face the #4 Charlotte Christian Knights. Both teams come into the matchup with 3-3 records but have faced really tough schedules so far.
Both have losses to 4A Weddington to go along with close losses to top-tier teams. The Chargers are led by dual-threat Sr QB Grantt Logan who has 1135 yds passing on 89-150 passing with 13 TD’s and only 1 INT, he has also rushed for 226 yds and 3 TD’s on 37 carries.
Sophomore WR duo Jordan Shipp, 19 catches for 259 yds and 5 TD’s and Channing Goodwin 20 catches for 333 yds and 2 TD’s will look to keep up the passing numbers in this big Big South conference game.
Defensively, LB Keyaan Abdul-Rahim is averaging 15.7 tackles a game with 94 overall and 3 sacks.
The Knights have used two Jr QB’s this season in coaches son Cameron Estep and fellow Jr Logan Fox. Together they are 77-122 for 969 yds with 7 TD’s, but they also have 5 INT’s between them. Fellow Jr, RB Kyron Jones has rushed for 508 yds on 53 carries with 6 touchdowns and only 1 fumble. Defensively the Knights are giving up 14 points a game led by Sr Drew Waldrup who has 46 tackles. The records do not show how big this game is.
The High Point Christian Cougars come into its Piedmont Conference game with # 8 Metrolina Christian ranked #10 with a 3-3 record with losses to #5, Cabarrus, #7 Harrells Christian and #9 Ravenscroft.
They will look to get over .500 led by Sr QB Myles Crisp who has accumulated over 700 yds passing and 400 yds rushing. His favorite target is Sr WR Jalen Smith who has racked up more than 400 yds receiving.
Defensively the Cougars rely on Sr DT, 6ft3, 250-pound Glenn Bullock who has over 30 tackles so far.
Metrolina Christian is lead offensively by Jr QB Reid Eighmy, who is 45-78 for 569 yds and 10 TD’s passing with only 3 INT’s. Freshman sensation running back JD Williams is their leading rusher with 393 yds on 69 carries with 6 TD’s.
Defensively Soph LB Jake Dooley leads the squad in overall tackles with 56, the Warriors pass rush is lead by Sr DL/LB Julian Mercer who already has 16 sacks in 7 games. Metrolina Christian’s only loss so far was to #2 Charlotte Latin, so this game at the Whitson Athletic Complex will help the seeding committee for the NCISAA D2 playoffs.
The Big 8 Man game this week is in the smaller school division as the #6 Halifax Academy (5-1) travel to Goldsboro to face the fellow #6 ranked Wayne Christian School (4-3) in the biggest game in the Colonial Carolina Conference so far this season.
Wayne Christian started off the season against #1 Parrott Academy and followed that with games against #3 Cary Christian and also #4 Rocky Mount Academy, all losses but have reeled off 4 wins in a row by wide margins in the conference.
The Eagles are led by do-everything Jr RB Shiquan Ethridge who has rushed for 744 yds on just 37 carries with 10 TD’s. Sr LB Mike Mills leads them defensively with 35 tackles and 1 caused fumble and a recovered one as well.
The Vikings from Halifax Academy who did not play last fall due to COVID-19 but played an all Virginia 8-Man schedule this spring comes into this game with 1 loss to #5 Faith Christian. They are led by Soph RB 6ft1 180 pound Braxton Hammock who has rushed for 1009 yds on 88 carries with 15 TD’s. He’s also caught 8 balls for 186 yds and 4 TD’s. Jr LB Caleb Slaughter is the leading Vikings tackler with 44 total and 5 for loss.
Another interesting 8 Man game isn’t 8 Man as John Paul II (5-1) #2 in the 8 Man polls plays out of conference against NCHSAA 1A opponent South Creek in the teams 3rd 11 Man game of the year. A victory over 4A East Chapel Hill and a 14-7 loss to NCISAA Wake Christian preceded this 11 Man tilt. It must be very busy at practices in Greenville as they go from an 8 Man game last week to an 11 Man this week!
Other 8 Man Games
Community Christian @ Lawrence Academy*
Pungo Christian @ Northeast Academy*
Cary Christian @ St. Davids*
Rocky Mount Academy @ Faith Christian*
11 Man
Wake Christian @ Ravenscroft*
East Chapel Hill @ Harrells Christian
Trinity Christian @ North Raleigh Christian*
Cabarrus Warriors @ Southlake Christian*
Covenant Day @ Anson County
Asheville School @ Hickory Grove Christian*
Christ School @ Charlotte Country Day*
Georgia Force @ Asheville Christian
