The Neighbor previews the Week 3 football matchups for north Fulton schools…
Peck’s Picks
Last Week: 3-7 (Ouch!)
Season: 10-10 (Treading water)
NORCROSS AT ROSWELL
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Ray Manus Stadium in Roswell
Records: NHS 2-0 (0-0 7AAAAA); RHS 0-2 (0-0 6AAAAA)
Last meeting: The Blue Devils defeated the Hornets, 34-12, on Sept. 18, 1981
Breakdown: The teams meet for the first time in nearly 29 years, so you can throw any old game film out the window. Throughout a 2-0 start, the Blue Devils have gotten it done with rugged defense and athleticism — as they did in qualifying for the postseason four of the past five years. This week marks the third stout 7AAAAA opponent in a row for the Hornets, who have been on the short end of it the past two Fridays largely due to offensive inconsistencies. Playing a Norcross team allowing just six points per game would not seem to be a good elixir for what ails the Hornets. But Roswell is desperate and I just cannot see the Hornets dropping a third consecutive game, especially in their home opener. RHS will play its best game of 2010 thus far, and get it done at the Hornets Nest.
Peck’s Pick: Roswell
CENTENNIAL AT CARROLLTON
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Grisham Stadium in Carrollton
Records: CENT 1-1 (0-0 6AAAAA); CAR 2-0 (0-0 6AAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: The Knights took a step back last week, falling to a North Cobb team coming off a bludgeoning at Alpharetta the week before. Quarterback Sean Gilrain had a rough night The senior threw a pair of interceptions, one of which turned out to be the difference, as it was returned 76 yards for a score in a 21-14 defeat. Head coach Jeff Measor has enjoyed some encouraging signs (FB Carlson Carty, WR Tony Bradley, solid defensive play) but the Knights encounter the biggest single challenge of the season on Friday in Carrollton. The 7-time state champion Trojans have advanced to the postseason every year since 2003, and are currently ranked No. 4 in Class-AAA. What’s more, word out of Carrollton is this year’s team is the best under head coach Rayvan Teague since he took over in 2002. In other words, this is the not the matchup Centennial needs to get back on the winning track.
Peck’s Pick: Carrollton
MILTON AT HARRISON
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Bruce Cobleigh Stadium in Kennesaw
Records: MHS 1-1 (0-0 6AAAAA); HHS 0-2 (0-0 4AAAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Two weeks have taught as a couple things about these teams: 1. Milton cannot stop the run (296 ypg. rush defense); 2. Harrison cannot run the ball (6 yards on the ground last week in a loss at Woodstock). Something’s gotta give. Milton followed up an impressive showing in Week 1 by getting pummeled last week at Walton. The Raiders ran at, through and around the Eagles’ defense in a 41-14 romp. Milton’s only hope on Friday is to limit the struggling Hoyas on the ground, and Harrison may provide the remedy. The anemic Hoyas were blanked to open the season versus West Forsyth, and managed but two field goals on 142 yards total offense last week. Sledding has been tough since David Hines took over for legendary HHS coach Bruce Cobleigh prior to the 2008 season. In my Homer Pick of the Week, I’m banking on the Eagles to buck a crucial trend (they had better if they want to win) in what could be an ugly, albeit interesting, non-region game.
Peck’s Pick: Milton
ALPHARETTA AT DULUTH
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Duluth
Records: AHS 1-1 (0-0 6AAAAA); DHS 2-0 (0-0 7AAAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Well, after doubting the Raiders in Week 1, then singing their praises in Week 2, I am now 0-for-2 on my AHS picks. The Raiders looked like world beaters two weeks ago against North Cobb, then promptly got hammered at Mill Creek last Friday. Naturally, the tide will turn back in their favor on Friday, right? Duluth, on the other hand, has made the necessary plays to win two close games to open their season. Not bad for a team that has not had a winning campaign since 1995 under a rookie head coach. But I’m banking on a rebound for Jason Dukes’ boys. That is, after all, the pattern…isnt’ it? C’mon Raiders, make me look good.
Peck’s Pick: Alpharetta
SOUTH COBB AT NORTHVIEW
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Northview Stadium in Johns Creek
Records: SCHS 1-1 (0-0 4AAAAA); NHS 1-1 (0-0 6AAAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Northview head coach Chad Davenport lamented missed opportunities in the Titans’ 24-14 loss to Duluth last week. Northview had a chance after cutting the lead to three points in the final quarter, but could not get over the hump as three costly turnovers ultimately did the team in. Davenport called South Cobb “almost a carbon copy of Duluth” and said his defense must adjust better to the spread offense than it did last week. The Eagles came to life in a 34-0 drubbing of Wheeler last week. Evan Jacks and Denis Onwualu will keep Northview in it, but the Titans will drop another tight game, as better days lie ahead.
Peck’s Pick: South Cobb
FORSYTH CENTRAL AT CHATTAHOOCHEE
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at The Arena in Johns Creek
Records: FCHS 0-1 (0-1 7AAAA); HOOCH 1-0 (1-0 7AAAA)
Last meeting: The Cougars defeated the Bulldogs, 14-8, on Sept. 10, 1993
Breakdown: The Cougars are a region favorite and looked the part last week, hammering Lambert on the road behind three Timmy Byerly touchdowns and a defense that allowed just 171 yards. Forsyth Central was off last week after falling to South Forsyth by 21 points to open the season on Aug. 27. The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2001, and are just 15-26 under head coach Chris Bennett. Simply put, they are not a very good team. Chattahoochee is. This one will not be close.
Peck’s Pick: ‘Hooch
JOHNS CREEK AT CASS
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Earl Cunningham Memorial Stadium in Cartersville
Records: JCHS 1-1 (1-1 7AAAA); CHS 1-1 (1-1 7AAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: The Gladiators are still on Cloud 9 from their first ever varsity win: a 24-21 thriller over Sequoyah at home last week. Sky Overton’s fourth-down TD pass to Jay Barden in the waning minutes ignited the celebration for Johns Creek. Now, the team must re-focus for another region road game at Cass. The Colonels are hoping for a breakthrough in head coach Rick Casko’s eighth season, but got smacked by Rome last week after defeating Woodland in Week 1. In two short weeks, Johns Creek has proven it belongs in 7AAAA, and the team will do so again in Cartersville.
Peck’s Pick: Johns Creek
MT. PISGAH AT SW ATL CHRISTIAN
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Atlanta
Records: MP 2-0 (0-0 5A-North); SACA 0-1 (0-0 5A-South)
Last meeting: The Patriots defeated the Warriors, 30-12, on Oct. 16, 2009
Breakdown: Pisgah readies for an inter-divisional Region 5A matchup when the Pats travel to Atlanta to take on the Warriors. Pisgah has dominated the first two meetings, outscoring SACA 72-24 in 2008 and 2009. The Pats were hardly tested in wins over Cross Keys and River Ridge, rushing for over 800 yards and controlling the tempo. Expect a similar result on Friday, as the Warriors simply do not have enough to win the battle at the line of scrimmage against a stout Pisgah front.
Peck’s Pick: Pisgah
STRONG ROCK AT KING’S RIDGE
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Alpharetta
Records: SRCS 0-1-1 (0-0 5A-South); KRCS 2-0 (0-0 5A-North)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: King’s Ridge has sprinted to a 2-0 start behind an impenetrable defense complemented by a balanced offensive attack. Strong Rock, a former GISA member, has flashed a stout D of its own thus far, but has struggled on offense to the tune of just seven points in two games. This one could be low-scoring, but the Tigers are just fine with that, evidenced by last week’s 13-0 road win at Lakeview Academy. With Connor Henderson’s legs and Jason McCoy’s arm doing enough on offense, King’s Ridge moves to 3-0.
Peck’s Pick: King’s Ridge
NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN AT FCS
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Old Milton High School
Records: NCC 1-1 (0-0 6A); FCS 0-1 (0-0 5A-North)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Fellowship returns to the field after a bye in Week 2 to host the Eagles. The big story line is the return of Terry Luck, the former FCS coach who was dismissed following the ’09 season and wound up on the staff at North Cobb Christian. The matchup pits a rebuilding program under Hunter Chadwick at FCS against a young NCC program fresh off its first ever win two weeks ago. I give a slight edge to the visitors, who possess more bodies and have tasted victory once already this year.
Peck’s Pick: NCC
