Published: November 06, 2009 01:40 pm      

Stanly Cup, YVC title, playoff trips on the line

Thursday, November 5, 2009 — South Stanly (7-3) at Albemarle (10-0)

The annual Route 52 war between the Rebel Bulls and the Bulldogs always has ramifications for both teams, and Friday’s matchup is no exception.

Albemarle has three different goals that can be checked off their list with a win at home over the Bulls.

The Bulldogs would finish the regular season undefeated and claim both the Stanly Cup and the outright Yadkin Valley Conference championship with a victory.

But for Albemarle coach Baxter Morris, Friday night is just another game on the schedule.

“This is just the 11th game for us this season,” Morris said.

Working on keeping the team together and focused on their season goals is important, according to Morris.

“Team unity is most important for us, keeping the kids united and playing on the same page. We try to up the tempo in practice. Our goals give us all something to rally around,” Morris said.

Regarding facing the South spread offense, Morris said that “South hurts people running the ball. We like teams to come out and throw against us. Our preparation is the same defensively. We try to be diverse enough to not have to make a lot of adjustments.”

Coach Morris said that his team is very healthy coming into Friday’s matchup, with a few players recovering from a flu bug but otherwise ready to go.

South enters Friday night feeling much less pressure, according to head coach Luke Little.

“The pressure is on Albemarle and not us. A win does not do anything for us in the conference standings or the playoffs. The Stanly Cup is the only thing to play for. They have more on the line,” Little said.

South Stanly’s defense will be tested by an Albemarle rushing offense that has 2,902 yards, averaging just over nine yards per carry, with 51 touchdowns.

“What we have to do is find their best two or three plays and take them away, make them do something different,” Little said.

Offensively, Jalen Holt and the Bulls will go against an Oak Tree defense that is fourth in the state in points allowed with 61 (6.1 per game).

“We will have to do things to load up on them and create some advantages for us,” Little said.



West Stanly (4-6) at North Stanly (3-7)

A playoff berth is on the line for one team while the other looks to improve their first-round playoff matchup when the Colts travel to North Stanly on Friday night.

West Stanly qualified for the playoffs last week with a dominating 50-7 win over Central Academy.

Zack Honeycutt had a strong game for the Colts at quarterback, going 10-for-15 with 125 yards and four touchdowns.

Working on their passing game was an emphasis going into last week, according to West Stanly head coach Mark Little.

“We know that we will have to throw against North Stanly and in the playoffs, We have tried to get the ball to Andrew Wilson all year, but he gets double teamed,” Little said.

Wilson gives West Stanly an overall strong athlete at the tight end position that can both block well and is a big target off the line that can catch the ball.

The T-formation ground-oriented attack for West Stanly had a big night last week as well, with 280 yards on 29 carries. Patrick Willoughby had 207 yards on just 12 carries in the win.

North Stanly flirted with qualifying for the playoffs in their game Friday night on the road at Piedmont.

North Stanly led in the fourth quarter 35-28 in the fourth quarter on a Jake Tester touchdown pass from Devonte Lilly.

In one of the Comets’ best performances of the season, North had 334 yards rushing and only had three incomplete passes in the 41-35 overtime loss to the Panthers.

The two-pronged attack of Lilly and Tester did not happen much this season due to a midseason injury to Lilly.

Tester has been a standout for North all season long both at fullback and on the defensive side of the ball.

A win for North Stanly would be their fourth of the season, qualifying them for the state playoffs.

West Stanly could greatly improve their postseason positioning with a win and have an easier matchup in the first round.



Contact Charles Curcio at (704) 982-2121 ext. 12 or email at charles@stanlynews press.com.