Greetings once again from the southern bureau of JNOW Media. Now that Week 2 is officially in the books, this seems like a good time to break it all down.
An eye toward the future
Westover took down Smithfield-Selma, 26-13, in the JoCo Sports Game of the Week (and when I get back stateside, I’ll pop the recording up here). On the surface, it looks like the 12th straight loss for the Spartans.
But the way it played out, and the effort and fight displayed by SSS in the late stages of a game that was no longer in doubt are good omens for what Stanley Williams is building.
More time is required, but better days are coming.
on the other side of ancient greece
Remember when someone (raises hand sheepishly) was concerned about the South Johnston offense, and all of the skill player production it had to replace?
Two weeks in, the Trojans are averaging 30-plus points per game, and are 2-0 after a 42-0 thumping of Triton.
As good as Tyler Williams and the revamped offense has been, the defense has been even better. The next game on the schedule for South will be truly fascinating.
will the real contender please stand up?
A touch dramatic for early September, but Corinth Holders’ 39-0 smashing of Broughton sets the stage for a clash of 2-0 teams that are defying expectations in the early part of the campaign.
Carl Smith Jr. brought a reputation for turnarounds and stingy defense with him to Wendell, and both appear to be happening again for the Pirates.
Even as a nonconference game, Friday’s game at South Johnston is going to be a true litmus test for both schools.
new verse, same as the first
After a 34-6 road win over Heritage, Cleveland stands at 2-0, it’s been almost five years (9-20-19) since the Rams last lost a regular season game.
Jackson Byrd did a few more Jackson Byrd things, accounting for 281 yards of total offense and four of the team’s five touchdowns.
This sets the stage for another all-county game in Week 3 featuring unbeaten teams.
joco sports game of the week shameless plug
The JoCo Sports Game of the Week will be sharing a press box with the folks from JOCO Radio Friday night, as 2-0 West Johnston visits equally unbeaten Cleveland.
Pregame is set for 7:15, and it will be interesting if Josiah Wells, who accounted for 238 yards of offense and all four scores in the Wildcats’ 28-14 win over Western Harnett last time out, can carry that level of production into a game against better opposition.
These schools are 4.3 miles apart, so it’s always a little spicy when they hook up.
Speaking of perfect
Remember when some people worried that American Leadership Academy’s first year in NCHSAA, featuring nine road games as an independent, would overwhelm a young roster (raises hand again, more sheepishly)?
ALA seems OK so far, having posted a 48-0 win at Hobgood Charter in Week 2. So far, as an association member, the Patriots have outscored their foes 107-0.
That’s pretty good, right? Can they do it again in Week 3, at 0-2 Cedar Ridge? Stay tuned.
from all to none
Last week, I fretted about being the fourth media outlet at Clayton High for its game with Holly Springs. As it turned out, weather changed that number to zero, and that game will be made up in what was to be a bye week for those squads on Sept. 12.
nip and tuck
North Johnston and Rosewood traded blows for four quarters in Week 2 with Rosewood making a few more plays down the stretch in a 27-18 victory.
It’s a 1-1 start for the Kyle Schenk era in Kenly, and the Panthers have been pretty solid so far.
Another tricky home game looms in Week 3 as 1-1 Midway comes calling.
A dog’s life
If there was a hard luck award for JoCo squads, Princeton would be running away with it through two weeks.
Two losses by three total points have the Bulldogs at 0-2, and that’s an unusual spot for this bunch.
A bye week may be just what the doctor ordered, and the Bulldogs will try to stem the tide in Week 4 at Rosewood, where the JoCo Sports Game of the Week will make its out-of-Johnston-County debut (hopefully).