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We’re heading into the home stretch of the 2021 NCISAA football season, and we have some interesting non-conference match-ups for this week.
The top game will pit the East versus the West as #8 Ravenscroft (5-1) heads to the Queen City to face the Charlotte Latin Hawks (6-0). Latin comes into this contest following a big win against Christ School, and was lead offensively by the usual suspects; quarterback Justin Wheeler who posted a solid 19-26 passing effort for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
On the receiving end of many of those Wheeler passes was Daniel Haughton, who had ten catches for 165 yards and a score, and by the way, he also led the team in tackles with 12.
The Ravens from Ravenscroft, who are new to the Top 10 as of last week, come in off a huge 21-14 victory over the #9 High Point Christian Cougars. Ravenscroft is led by junior gun-slinger Kyle Hawkins who is 67-132 passing for 992 yards and 5 touchdowns. He does have six interceptions so far this season.
The rushing attack is led by senior running back Anthony Melvin, a 5-foot-11, 150-pounder, who has amassed 731 yds on 84 carries with 11 touchdowns and only a single fumble lost.
The top tackler for the Ravens is senior linebacker Kyle Morin, who has 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks so far on the season. Ravenscroft has not won against Latin since a 21-14 home win back in 2005, this will be the biggest test by far for the Ravens.
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Another intriguing East versus West non-conference tilt will take place way down Highway 40 in Sampson County, as the fourth-ranked Charlotte Christian Knights (2-3) head into Murphy-Johnson Stadium to take on sixth-ranked Harrells Christian Crusaders (6-0).
The Knights, who are coming off a loss to top-ranked Rabun Gap Nacoochee last Friday, look to right the ship against another ranked foe.
The Knights’ offense seemed to take the night off on Friday, only accumulating 176 total offensive yards. Another concern for Christian is their rushing defense, as they gave up 212 yards against Rabun Gap Nacoochee.
Harrells, who is a double-winged nightmare for defenses, comes in averaging 380 yards per game. This will be Charlotte Christian’s second road game and will be in an unforgiving environment.
Crusader senior running back Devin Gardner is averaging 216 yards per game with 14 touchdowns, the Knights defense has its work cut out for them in trying to stop this rushing attack.
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In a game involving teams with a combined record of 10-1, the tenth-ranked Metrolina Christian Warriors (5-1) will be visiting the Hickory Grove Christian Lions (5-0), who are just outside the top 10. The Warriors are led by two different quarterbacks in senior Tucker Wren, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder, and Reid Eighmy, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior signal-caller. Wren has put up some big numbers going 23-33 for 325 yards and four touchdowns along with two interceptions while Eighmy is 27 of 51 for 278 yards with five touchdowns and three picks.
J.D. Williams, a freshman running back leads the ground attack with 248 yards on 43 rushes and scores. On defense, sophomore linebacker Jake Dooley, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder leads the team in tackles with 39, while 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior linebacker Julian Mercer leads the squad with 9 sacks.
Hickory Grove, which is led by former Sun Valley head coach Tad Baucom, heads into the meat of their schedule starting with MCA, then games with Cabarrus Warriors and Asheville School.
The Lions’ offense is paced by the 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior quarterback Jordan Adams, who is 16-26 for 322 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. Senior runningback, 5-foot-10, 175-pound Sean Dickey has rushed for 354 yards on 54 carries with 6 touchdowns and only one lost fumble.
Cherron Holt Jr., a junior receiver has caught 9 passes for 195 yds and two touchdowns. Vernon Richard leads the team in tackles with 15 along with seven sacks and a caused fumble.
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On the 8-Man front, conference games are in full swing, and this week the top game is #5 Faith Christian Patriots visiting #2 John Paul II Saints in Greenville.
Faith Christian comes in with a 3-1 record but took a big loss at #1 Parrott Academy, 54-14 last Friday, and also had some injuries that they will need to keep an eye on as the week progresses.
The Patriots are led by do-everything Nash Central transfer, senior running back Deanthony Joyner. He has 744 yds on just 50 carries with nine touchdowns along with four catches for 69 yds and a receiving score.
6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker Colton Wright leads the defense with 25 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
The Saints, who are a running game dynamo, are led by a two-headed running back monster in sophomore Justin Biggs, who has 78 carries for 629 yds and seven touchdowns, who is called “Lightning”, while “Thunder” is most definitely junior fullback Rion Rosenborough, a 6-foot-3, 297 pounder who comes in with 751 yards on 97 carries with 10 touchdowns.
The Saints have rushed for 1,736 yards so far this season and have passed for 71 yds, so expect eight defenders in the box.
The Saints defense is led by sophomore linebacker Keiveion Moore who has 58 tackles and three sacks. Seniors’ Will McMinn with 52 tackles and Elijah Eger, who has 33 tackles with 6 sacks help with leadership on and off the field. This could turn into a track meet.
Other games:
8 Man
St. David’s at Grace Christian*
Wayne Christian at Northeast Academy*
Bethel Christian at Halifax Academy*
Pungo Christian at Community Christian*
11 Man
Hobbton @ Wake Christian
North Raleigh Christian at Charlotte Country Day
High Point Christian at Cabarrus Warriors*
Asheville School at Covenant Day*
Providence Day at Trinity Christian
Orangewood Christian (Fl) at Asheville Christian
