The best probabilities for achieving that relatively lofty standing involve Pinecrest and Union Pines, playing at home against winless opponents. The Patriots take on Terry Sanford (0-3) of the Two Rivers Conference while the Vikings entertain Crossroads Charter School (0-3) on homecoming night.
A much tougher task lies ahead for North Moore, which faces tough South Davidson (3-1) in a Yadkin Valley Conference tilt on the road. It is homecoming and football field dedication night for the Cats. The starting time for all three contests is 7:30 p.m.
Pinecrest trailed undefeated Northwood 7-0 with four minutes left in last Friday’s game before the roof fell in the 26-0 loss. After holding the Chargers to only 24 yards rushing in a scoreless first half, the Patriot defense was on the field almost the entire second half allowing over 200 yards on the ground. At the same time, the Patriot offense managed to gain only 63 yards and three first downs.
“I think as a defense, we were just on the field too long,” said Justin Scott, a second-year starting inside linebacker for the Patriots. “We just weren’t moving the ball, that stuff happens.”
Pinecrest coach John Washington agreed with the senior’s analysis.
“Our defense played great,” he said. “Our offense didn’t do its job. We wanted to keep the defense off the field and rested as much as possible, but we were doing too many three and outs.”
The first-year head coach of the Patriots hopes his team can repeat the physical play tonight that it showed against Northwood and Union Pines (28-7 win), but not in the loss at St.Pauls (40-0) two weeks ago. Terry Sanford’s losses have come against Triton (34-24), Harnett Central (32-17) and Westover (20-3).
He and Bulldogs coach Matt Lynch have something in common. Both were not named to their head coaching positions until several weeks before the first official practice.
“After watching them on film, I feel we are the more physical team,” Washington said, referring to Terry Sanford. “We simply have to take the game to them right at the beginning.”
The coach said that he is concerned about the running ability of the Bulldogs’ Ricky Boykin. The senior picked up 79 yards in 18 carries against Westover.
“He has excellent moves, kind of like Kevin Jackson (Pinecrest running back) and he can make you miss,” the coach said. “Our defense will have to make sure he’s contained.”
At the end of Wednesday’s practice, the coach reminded his team that the game will be carried on Fayetteville’s Time Warner Cable channel 60 via replays at 10 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, and to put their best foot forward.
Thursday, the Pinecrest junior varsity traveled to Terry Sanford seeking its fourth straight victory of the season.
North Moore continued to show improvement from last year by hanging in there against West Davidson for most of the first half in an eventual 37-6 loss.
South Davidson has only a 13-7 loss to North Stokes marring its record. The Cats are led offensively by quarterback Phillip Freeze and running back Jamie Swaney, who has averaged just over 100 yards per game.
