In The Huddle

Ok, yeah, it’s been a while since I posted last. How long has it been? Well, the last time I posted, Williams didn’t have a football coach, North Carolina’s men’s basketball team looked like it was on its way to a title (Kansas is overrated, right?) and nobody, save a few swimming wonks, knew who Michael Phelps was.

Since then, some things happened. Including last Friday night.

Eastern Alamance beat Western Alamance for the first time since the Clinton administration. Southern Alamance shook off the ghosts of last year’s struggles while Cummings found plenty to work on. New coaches at Bartlett Yancey and Williams had tough openers while Eastern Guilford and Graham found plenty to get excited about.

We found out a lot last week. I’m thinking we should find out more Friday night.

Here are a few of my thoughts on this week’s games. As always, take them with a grain of salt. Or better yet, a whole bag.

WESTERN ALAMANCE AT SOUTHERN ALAMANCE

Boy, this game got a lot more interesting. This time last week, Southern Alamance was the team coming off of a snakebitten 2-7-1 season while Western Alamance sported a big, shiny 16-0 record during its 2007 state title campaign.

After Eastern Alamance made some plays late and downed the Warriors and the Patriots ambushed Cummings, all of the sudden, this game looks like a much more even fight.

Either way, it’ll be David Vaughn Night at Walter Hanford Stadium, so Patriots Pride should be running wild, which should be a fun thing to see.

CARRBORO AT CUMMINGS and EASTERN RANDOLPH AT NORTHERN GUILFORD

You know how on ESPN College Gameday, they always throw those cute little titles on each week’s games. You know, like “Woodshed Saturday,” or “Border War Saturday.” I’m calling these two games, “Get Right Friday.”

Eastern Randolph fell to Monroe Sun Valley while Cummings fell to Southern Alamance. Both teams face very young programs at second-year schools this week, meaning barring some Virginia vs. Chaminade meltdown (mixing sports here), these teams should score wins.

Northern Guilford is in its first year of varsity football while Cummings thrashed Carrboro 89-0 last season. I’m thinking we’ll see a return to form from these perennial heavyweights.

GRAHAM AT JORDAN-MATTHEWS

Graham has to feel good about last week’s convincing victory against Carrboro. However, if history is a guide, it shouldn’t get carried away. Last season, Graham beat Carrboro 47-0 and followed it up with a 50-6 home loss to Jordan-Matthews.

The Red Devils will have another tough assignment when they pay a visit to the Jets’ home field. If Graham can come away with a victory, which is certainly a possibility, it should bode very, very well.

WILLIAMS AT HIGH POINT CENTRAL

Williams dropped its opener last week and faces another tricky game this week. Win or lose, this Bulldogs team will be pain for opponents come playoff time. Mark it down.

CEDAR RIDGE AT BARTLETT YANCEY

After a loss to Orange in week 1, the Buccaneers get the more experienced of the two Hillsborough teams. Bartlett Yancey will have its work cut out for it, but any sign of progress would be welcome as the Buccaneers schedule get a lot tougher from here on out.

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