Predictions, preview for Week 2 of Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln high school football
Here are previews for Week 2 high school football games in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties, with reporter Joe Hughes making a prediction for each.
‘Pick 3’: The area’s top games
Crest at Burns
Records: Both teams are 1-0.
Radio/web: KTC Broadcasting YouTube
The word: Burns has won three of its last four against Crest. Burns quarterback Ben Mauney looks to finish his career 3-0 against Crest. He was sharp last week in a 42-0 win over Forestview, throwing four touchdown passes. Meanwhile, Crest’s Ny’Tavious Huskey seeks a win over the only Cleveland County team he’s never beaten. He dazzled as well in Week 1, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns, along with 88 rushing yards.
Pick: Crest
BEST OF WEEK 1: Gastonia, Shelby area high school football Week 1 top performers
STATEWIDE SCOREBOARD: North Carolina high school football scores for NCHSAA Week 1 of the 2023 season
Kings Mountain at Cox Mill (7 p.m.)
Records: Kings Mountain is 1-0; Cox Mill is 0-1
Radio/web: NFHS Network
The word: Kings Mountain impressed in Week 1, particularly on defense where it forced four turnovers and racked up six sacks in a 34-17 win over rival Shelby. It looks to duplicate the performance at Cox Mill, which was limited to 136 yards in a 54-3 loss to Weddington. The Mountaineer offense remains a work in progress, however, finishing with 242 yards in their opener.
Pick: Kings Mountain
North Lincoln at Lincolnton
Records: Both teams are 0-1.
The word: Following losses in Week 1, North Lincoln and Lincolnton are both looking to rebound. Though in a losing effort, Andre Bost finished with 262 total yards last week against South Point. Khamoni Health also was solid for the Wolves, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown. Expect for them to get acquainted with North Lincoln linebacker Ryan Bassani on Friday, the Knights’ junior linebacker tallying 24 tackles in an overtime loss to West Lincoln.
Pick: Lincolnton
The rest
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Bessemer City (0-1) at North Gaston (0-1): North Gaston has lost 13 games in a row. Meanwhile, Bessemer City has lost five out of its last six. North Gaston’s Kaden Brown and Dewayne Davis may decide matters, combining for 142 rushing yards Week 1 at East Gaston. Game is being live-streamed via the NFHS Network. | Pick: North Gaston
Charlotte Latin (0-1) at Mountain Island Charter (1-0): Mountain Island Charter made it look easy in a 40-0 win over Cabarrus Stallions last week. Competition ramps up a bit this week, with the Raptors taking on a Charlotte Latin team eager to rebound following a hard-fought loss to Mitchell. Game is being live-streamed via the NFHS Network. | Pick: Mountain Island Charter
East Gaston (1-0) at Corvian Community (1-0), 7 p.m.: East Gaston was workmanlike in a 29-14 victory over North Gaston. To get to 2-0, the Warriors need quarterback Trent Sherrill to continue his strong play after completing 11-of-17 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Game is being live-streamed via the NFHS Network. | Pick: East Gaston
East Lincoln (1-0) at Forestview (0-1): The Mustang offense didn’t miss a beat with Grant Lawless under center, racking up 57 points in a rout of Stuart Cramer. Meanwhile, Forestview looks to get on the scoreboard in 2023 after being shut out by Burns in Week 1. Game is being live-streamed via the NFHS Network. | Pick: East Lincoln
Hickory Grove Christian (1-0) at Highland Tech (0-1): Highland Tech struggled in its previous two meetings against Hickory Grove Christian, outscored 104-22 in those games. Game is being live-streamed via the NFHS Network. | Pick: Hickory Grove Christian
Hunter Huss (1-0) at Hibriten (0-1): Hunter Huss hasn’t started 2-0 since a historic 2018 season in which it won a program-high 13 games. It attempts to change that against a Hibriten team that struggled in a 35-14 loss to Hickory. | Pick: Hunter Huss
Shelby (0-1) at A.C. Reynolds (0-1): Shelby turned the ball over four times last week in a loss to Kings Mountain. It’ll need to be better against A.C. Reynolds, which felt it let one get away in Week 1 against West Forsyth. Game can be heard on radio via WOHS 101.5 FM/1390 AM. | Pick: A.C. Reynolds
Stuart Cramer (0-1) at CHASE (1-0): Stuart Cramer had a rough go of things in Week 1, shut out in a 57-0 loss to East Lincoln. It will attempt to rebound against CHASE, which averaged 7.8 yards per carry last week in a win over Mountain Heritage. Game can be heard on radio via WAGY 107.5 FM/1320 AM. | Pick: CHASE
West Lincoln (1-0) at Cherryville (0-1): Expect a heavy dose of the Rebels’ Caden Smith and Jaylin Winnex, the backs combining for 202 yards and two touchdowns last week in an overtime win over North Lincoln. Game can be heard on radio via WCSL 1590 AM/92.9 FM. | Pick: West Lincoln
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA football: Gastonia, Shelby area Week 2 predictions, preview
