Gastonia, Shelby area football predictions: East Gaston faces Week 9 litmus test at Burns
Here are previews for Week 9 high school football games in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties, with reporter Joe Hughes making a prediction for each.
‘Pick 3’: Top games for Week 9
East Gaston at Burns
Records: East Gaston is 7-0 (3-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A); Burns is 5-2 (3-0).
Web: KTC Broadcasting YouTube
The word: East Gaston’s litmus test comes with a trip to Burns for a key Southern Piedmont 1A/2A matchup. Led by a prolific backfield duo in quarterback Ben Mauney and running back Jeremiah Norris, Burns is averaging 59 points per game during a four-game win streak. Meanwhile, the East Gaston defense is allowing just shy of 10 points per game. Warrior quarterback Trent Sherrill (1,234 passing yards, 13 TDs; 500 rush yards, nine TDs) also has his hands full against a Burns defense allowing seven points or less five times this fall.
Pick: Burns
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Ashbrook at South Point
Records: Ashbrook is 3-4 (3-1 Big South 3A); South Point is 3-4 (1-3 Big South 3A).
Radio/web: WGNC 1450 AM/101.1 FM; NFHS Network ($)
The word: South Point is ranked 23rd in 3A West according to the latest NCHSAA RPI rankings, while Ashbrook is 27th. Ashbrook racked up 388 yards last week in a win over Stuart Cramer, with quarterback Ryan Denton responsible for three touchdowns. With South Point quarterback Patrick Blee’s status unknown following an injury against Kings Mountain, fullback Chanyce Ford’s workload is likely to increase.
Pick: South Point
North Gaston at Hunter Huss
Records: North Gaston is 3-4 (1-3 Big South 3A); Hunter Huss is 4-3 (3-1).
Web: NFHS Network ($)
The word: Hunter Huss and North Gaston are ranked 24th and 25th, respectively, in the latest 3A West RPI rankings. Huss has found unique ways to win during a three-game winning streak. Last week, a late drive pushed the game into overtime, with Javarion Brown’s touchdown run allowing the Huskies to walk off with a win. North Gaston has lost three in a row, outscored 99-13 during the stretch.
Pick: Hunter Huss
Other games
Big South 3A
Forestview (1-6, 0-4 Big South 3A) at Crest (7-0, 4-0) | Radio: WOHS 101.5 FM/1390 AM | Forestview fell to 0-4 in league play last week following an overtime loss to rival Hunter Huss. The level of difficulty ramps up with a trip to Crest, which is averaging 509.4 yards and 47.3 points per game. | Pick: Crest
Stuart Cramer (0-7, 0-4) at Kings Mountain (7-0, 4-0) | Web: KMHS Youtube | Kings Mountain’s Robert Kendrick and Josiah Hill have combined for 1,146 yards this fall. Stopping the duo will be a tough task for a Stuart Cramer defense allowing 44 points per game. | Pick: Kings Mountain
Southern Piedmont 1A/2A
Bessemer City (4-4, 2-2 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A) at Shelby (4-3, 3-0) | Bessemer City has been outscored 85-21 the past two weeks in losses to Burns and East Gaston. It gets no easier this week, taking on a Shelby team averaging 63.5 points during a four-game win streak. | Pick: Shelby
Thomas Jefferson (1-7, 0-4) at Cherryville (1-6, 1-2) | Radio/web: WCSL 1590 AM/92.9 FM; NFHS Network ($) | Cherryville looks for its second win in a row following a shutout of Highland Tech. Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson looks to end a four-game skid of its own. | Pick: Thomas Jefferson
Western Foothills 3A
North Lincoln (4-3, 2-2 Western Foothills 3A) at Foard (0-7, 0-4) | North Lincoln has scored 103 points the past two weeks against North Iredell and St. Stephens. Its Week 9 opponent Foard has tallied 67 points in seven games this fall. | Pick: North Lincoln
St. Stephens (0-7, 0-4) at East Lincoln (5-2, 2-2) | Radio: WLON 107.5/1050 AM | East Lincoln scored 62 points last week, its most this season. More of the same could be in store against winless St. Stephens, which is allowing 43 points per game. | Pick: East Lincoln
Catawba Valley 2A
East Burke (2-5, 0-4) at Lincolnton (3-4, 3-1) | Web: LincolnCounty.com | Lincolnton’s Andre Bost has been on fire, totaling 641 yards and 11 touchdowns the past two weeks. Bost and the Wolves’ offense may find more success against an East Burke defense allowing 35.8 points per game during a five-game losing streak. | Pick: Lincolnton
West Caldwell (0-7, 0-4) at West Lincoln (6-1, 3-1) | West Lincoln still has an outside shot at claiming a league championship, its only loss to undefeated Bunker Hill. Slowing opponents has been an issue for West Caldwell, allowing 49 points per game. | Pick: West Lincoln
Catawba Shores 1A/2A
Bishop McGuinness (3-4, 2-2) at Mountain Island Charter (5-2, 2-2) | Web: NFHS Network ($) | Three Raptors finished with more than 100 receiving yards in their 34-0 win last week at Christ the King. Such bodes well against a Bishop McGuinness defense which allowed 58 points in a loss to Pine Lake Prep. | Pick: Mountain Island Charter
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football: Gastonia, Shelby area Week 9 predictions, preview
