Predicting Asheville High at Tuscola, other top Week 1 football games in Western North Carolina
The North Carolina high school football season begins Friday with several high-profile matchups.
Here's a look at the top eight Western North Carolina games for Week 1.
Asheville High at Tuscola
When: 7 p.m., Friday
This game is the most interesting matchup this week, mainly due to the question marks surrounding Tuscola.
The Mountaineers have a new coach in former Tennessee quarterback and alum Jonathan Crompton. They also picked up a high-profile transfer in former Smoky Mountain quarterback Jed West.
Tuscola looked sharp on offense in its first practice, utilizing the short-passing game. But how does the offense stack up against the Cougars who have one of the best defenses in Western North Carolina? It's also unknown how Crompton's defense will fare.
Asheville High should roll easily in this one due to the continuity within the program. It returns a bunch of key contributors and coach Cort Radford. It'll be interesting to watch how quarterback Meek Slydell looks in his second season running the offense.
Prediction: Asheville High 42, Tuscola 24
Roberson at Watauga
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
It'll be a clash of the triple option when the Rams play the Pioneers. Watauga won last season's matchup 42-13.
This year will be different because Roberson returns almost everyone. Watauga lost a lot of key pieces on defense and star running back William Curtis.
Coach J.D. Dinwiddie's team was extremely impressive, dominating Pisgah and Polk County in its scrimmages last week.
Roberson gets the edge here because of how many key contributors are back.
Prediction: Roberson 35, Watauga 31
Reynolds at West Forsyth
When: 7 p.m., Friday
The Rockets shut out the Titans last season at home. However, Reynolds is a much different team after losing many of its key players, which made its defense the best in WNC last season.
Coach Shane Laws does return several key players on offense in quarterback Hayden Craig and running back Max Guest.
The Rockets showed out in their second scrimmage against Smoky Mountain last week, even without Guest who will miss two to four weeks with a foot injury. The defense also impressed intercepting several passes.
Prediction: Reynolds 35, West Forsyth 17
Brevard at Pisgah
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
The Blue Devils stunned the Bears last season, defeating them 21-14. But Pisgah is much more experienced than it was a season ago. However, Brevard and coach Luke Coleman have improved considerably.
Coach Brett Chappell didn't lose many players from last season. He returns a bunch of key contributors like quarterback Aaron Clark, wide receiver and defensive back Sawyer Belue and middle linebacker and running back Carter Browning.
Pisgah also will play its first home game at Pisgah Memorial Stadium in two years after flood damage following Tropical Storm Fred.
Prediction: Pisgah 31, Brevard 17
East Surry at Robbinsville
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
One of the more underrated games on the schedule this week, mainly due to WNC football fans' unfamiliarity with East Surry. The Cardinals went 12-1 last season, falling in the third round of the 2A NCHSAA playoffs.
However, East Surry has to replace star quarterback Folger Boaz and several of its top receivers. Robbinsville only has to replace a few key players on defense.
The Black Knights win easily, thanks to its terrific running back trio of Cuttler Adams, Chase Calhoun and Kage Williams.
Prediction: Robbinsville 42, East Surry 21
Murphy at Franklin
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
The Panthers got the best of the Bulldogs last season, winning 24-7. Franklin lost a lot of key contributors from last season's team. Meanwhile, Murphy returns quite a few.
Franklin struggles to find an answer for star running back Hunter Stalcup.
Prediction: Murphy 28, Franklin 14
R-S Central at McDowell
When: 7 p.m., Friday
The Titans won a nail-biter 39-36 against the Hilltoppers. But McDowell was aided by Josh Ellis and Blake Boswell who both ran for 150 yards.
Boswell has graduated and Ellis is at Asheville High. McDowell should beat R-S Central if it can find a replacement for its two star running backs.
Prediction: McDowell 28, R-S Central 24
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Mitchell at Charlotte Latin
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday
The Mountaineers are playing their first private school opponent since 2019. Coach Travise Pitman lost a lot of key players on the offensive side of the ball but has some strong defenders back.
The defense helps Mitchell beat Charlotte Latin comfortably.
Prediction: Mitchell 21, Charlotte Latin 10
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Predicting Asheville High at Tuscola, other top Week 1 football games in WNC
