Fayetteville high school football predictions Week 3: Who wins the Battle of the Blues?
Week 3 is rolling up with another marquee matchup for Fayetteville high school football fans.
Nonconference play continues with five Cumberland County teams still undefeated — Cape Fear, Gray's Creek, Seventy-First, South View and Westover.
Seventy-First and Jack Britt are off this week as our picks record sits at 11-5 after getting burned by picking against the Wolverines last week. Lesson learned.
Here's a look at this week's matchups, with predictions.
Terry Sanford (1-1) at Cape Fear (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 94.3 FM; 640 AM
The Battle of the Blues returns to Colts territory after Cape Fear took the trophy last season behind Favour Murtala's 390 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Murtala is back as a senior this season, and he posted 151 yards rushing in a season-opening win over Pine Forest. The Bulldogs are looking to bounce back from a tough loss at home to Scotland.
This should be an outstanding matchup between a pair of teams with legitimate playoff plans. Terry Sanford will have extra motivation coming off a loss and it might catch the Colts a step behind after a bye week. But Cape Fear is just too strong to bet against at home.
The pick: Cape Fear
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Gray's Creek (2-0) at Pine Forest (0-2), 7 p.m.
The Bears are on a tear with Javon Webb averaging 135 yards rushing and a defense anchored by Jackson Karcher and Kaleb Caraway, who have combined for 42 tackles in two games.
Pine Forest has taken some lumps with a season-opening slate against Fayetteville's finest in Cape Fear and Seventy-First. The Trojans tested sophomore Tim Thomas at QB in Week 2 with some positive results. It's just a matter of time before coach Bill Sochovka finds the right formula.
The pick: Pine Forest
South View (2-0) at Durham Riverside (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Tigers showed resiliency and focus in a Week 2 shutout at Hoke County despite having suffered a truly devastating week. The team lost nearly all of its game-day gear and a heap of other equipment when a fire last weekend ruined the coach's office, weight room and locker room inside the school gymnasium.
A huge effort from staff, community and fellow coaches helped South View get on the field Friday, and I expect that momentum to carry into Week 3. And having one of the best RBs in the state in Christian Rutledge (306 yards rushing, 8 TDs) doesn't hurt.
The pick: South View
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Fairmont (1-1) at Westover (2-0), 7 p.m.
The Wolverines are sitting atop the All American Conference as the last unbeaten just two games into the season. Christian Frazier is averaging 138 yards on the ground at QB, Jaylin Jessup is posting 14 tackles per contest, Cameron Murry has a pair of interceptions and Cashyon Foster has posted three sacks.
The pick: Westover
Douglas Byrd (0-2) at Hoke County (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
These teams haven't faced off since Byrd's 20-point in 2008 when both played in the Mid-Southeastern Conference.
It's hard to gauge how they'll match up 15 years later, but Byrd is making strides in the right direction. Eagles end Jace McLaughlin has six sacks and Josiah Carpenter has a pair of interceptions. If Byrd's offense can find its rhythm with QB Deshawn Gillespie, RB Sincere Blount and TE Jameion Johnson, it has potential.
The pick: Douglas Byrd
E.E. Smith (1-1) at West Carteret (0-1), 7 p.m.
Radio: 99.7 FM, 1600 AM
This is a tough one for Smith. The Patriots are coming off a second-place finish in the Coastal 3A Conference and the Golden Bulls, despite going 1-9 last season, are off to a solid start.
Playing at home gives West Carteret the edge in this one.
The pick: West Carteret
Jack Britt (Open)
Seventy-First (Open)
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NCHSAA football predictions for Week 3 games in Fayetteville area
