All games kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Hoggard (2-0) vs. Purnell Swett
After a 24-22 win at the Carolinas Kickoff Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Hoggard football team returns home for the much-anticipated home opener against Purnell Swett.
The Vikings showed great resolve a week ago, down two scores at halftime.
Coach Scott Braswell went with Xavier Johnson under center midway through the second quarter and the move worked as the sophomore threw for two touchdowns and completed 10-of-18 for 125 yards to lead the comeback. The team also showed depth at the running back position after Keevin Thompson left the game with a sore shoulder.
Sonny Cooper stepped up and rushed for 90 yards on 21 carries. Thompson’s status for week three is still uncertain and will likely be a game-time decision.
After the defense posted a second half shutout against Irmo, S.C., the Purnell Swett offense will need to deal with a Hoggard front four that has dominated the line of scrimmage, averaging three sacks per game, accompanied with a secondary that picked off three passes in week two.
Laney (1-1) vs. Clinton
The Bucs are looking for a playmaker that can stretch the field so Coach Greg Ditz could utilize the arm and speed of junior quarterback Tariq Lane, while keeping defenses honest with a healthy dose of 6-foot-1, 240-pound Jeavonne Batts in between the tackles. While Lane has led the team in rushing and thrown for nearly 160 yards, most of his passes have come underneath coverage without a proven target at wide-out.
Jared Kelly has provided stability in the passing game, with five catches as Lane’s favorite wide out, while Jonathan Kuebler sits second on the team in receiving. If Laney wants to get back to their run-and-gun style of play from a year ago, Kuebler or one of the other four receivers with catches this season will need to prove they can blow the top off the defensive coverage and catch the long ball from Lane. Look for receiver La’Quay Cox to play more of a role in the air in the weeks to come.
Ditz’s defense under Coach Ashaad Yeoman has been stout. The Bucs swallowed up 1A Pender, but proved their might last week in a 6-3 setback to former conference foe J.H. Rose. Coult Culler has been everything as expected for a senior who is gearing up for the D-1 level next year at N.C. State.
Classmates Sam Frank and Jared Daborowski have also made big contributions in the defensive success.
New Hanover (0-1) at Hunt
New Hanover had to wait until the final game on the second weekend of high school football to get their season kicked off across the state line in a tough matchup against a Conway, S.C., team that had a chance to shake the cobwebs out in a week-one loss to Georgetown, S.C.
The Wildcats had a tough time stopping an impressive backfield, but Ward Coleman and the offense made some adjustments at halftime and were able to find the end zone twice in the second half. Expect to see some growing pains early on this season for Coach Kevin Motsinger’s bunch, with a plenty of youth on the roster.
Ramone Simpson is a workhorse running the ball, but expect for him to show athleticism out of the backfield in the passing game, while Coleman continues to work with a relatively inexperienced group of receivers.
Despite the early setback, it’s too early to count New Hanover out, and if anybody can motivate his players to put in the time and effort it will need to get things ironed out, Motsinger is a coach along the sidelines who can do that.
Ashley (1-1) at Fairmont
Following a two-day win in a weather-delayed season opener two weeks ago, Ashley is learning to deal without the presence of Charles Dent. After a standout game with two touchdowns and more than 80 yards rushing in the opener, coming back from surgery that ended his junior campaign, Dent broke that same ankle midway through the fourth quarter. The injury will force the senior to miss his final season, wrapping up what should have been a breakout year for the speedy back.
As most teams are tested throughout the season with different injuries and setbacks, Coach Tom Eanes hopes to rebound with a strong performance this week following a 26-6 loss at Swansboro last Friday night. While senior Jesse Jewell continues to get his carries, Anthony Andrews will also see a more extended role in this week’s game against Fairmont (2-0). Juniors Daniel Andrews and Stephan Russell are also expected to play more of a role in the offense.
Frank Keller will continue to provide that motivation leadership in the trenches on the offensive and defensive front. The senior has three tackles for loss this season and remains a threat to clog up the middle, which makes it difficult for opposing teams to get the running game going between the offensive tackles.
West Brunswick (1-1) vs. N. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
West Brunswick showed the ability to move the ball over the first two weeks after putting up a combined 44 points on the scoreboard. Dustin Darguzas understands first year coach Scott Frazier’s offensive scheme and is getting plenty of help from junior Tavon Stanley.
South Brunswick (0-2) vs. Southern Durham
Topsail (2-0) at White Oak
North Brunswick (2-0) at East Columbus
Trask (0-2) vs. West Columbus
