Laney (1-0, 4-2) vs. South Brunswick (0-1, 1-5)
Laney takes a three-game winning streak into its conference game at home against South Brunswick. The Bucs blew out Topsail 42-0 last week, but Coach Aashad Yeoman thinks there’s plenty to clean up heading into a match up against a struggling South Brunswick team.
The Cougars have dropped five straight, having been outscored 241-96 through six games. Laney’s defense is riding high, allowing 12.8 points per game. The Bucs are coming off their first shutout of the season thanks to a talented front seven led by defensive ends Ryan Daborowski and Travone McGhee. Daborowski is coming off a four sack performance.
Dionte Hicks has controlled the line of scrimmage during the current stretch at defensive tackle, while Cayman Czesak runs the unit at inside linebacker. Karl Lane, Kymel Bloodworth and Eli Boone have also stepped up and will need to continue to play at high level following this week’s match up, with games against New Hanover and Hoggard looming.
Big plays guided Laney in their win over Topsail as Imeek Watkins totaled his fourth 100-yard rushing game this season. Sophomore quarterback Sherod Sidbury seems to have the offense in control and will get one more week to sharpen his reads within the wing-tee option system heading into a pair of rivalry games. Jason Billingslea and Alfahiym Walcott have helped take some of the work load over the last few weeks during a stretch where Laney has outscored its opponents 87-14 over its three game win streak.
Topsail (0-1, 2-4) at West Brunswick (1-0, 5-1)
A pair of teams heading in different directions clash on Friday night as West Brunswick plays host to Topsail on Homecoming Night in Shallotte.
The Trojans are winners of three straight thanks to an impressive run game led by senior running back Bubba McCray. Behind a handful of play makers on the ground, West Brunswick is averaging 288 yards rushing per game. McCray leads the list with 113 carries for 919 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s coming off a 200 yard performance in last week’s 28-6 win over Ashley. McCray is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and has four 100 yard-plus yard games this season.
Tariq Thomas (29 carries, 215 yards, 2TDs) and Maliek King (31 carries, 131 yards, 5TDs) have also got plenty of touches in what has been a run heavy offense under quarterback Owen McDowell. West Brunswick is big up front on both sides of the ball, but need to limit mental errors and penalties if they hope to compete for a conference title moving through the midseason push.
The size up front will give Topsail matchup problems as West Brunswick posted a defensive shutout in the win against Ashley. Toney Williams also picked up an interception in last week’s victory.
Topsail has dropped three straight heading into Friday’s road game.
