Published: 08:13 PM, Thu Nov 08, 2012
Prep football second-round playoff capsules
A look at second-round state playoff matchups involving region prep football teams.
Hoke County (10-2) at Jack Britt (10-2)
4-AA Mideast
Matchup: The teams played annually from 2001-10, with Jack Britt going 9-1, and now the Buccaneers are trying to keep the Bucks from advancing to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since '04. With a win, Britt is in the third round for the fourth time in five seasons. Hoke's Detrez Newsome has rushed for 2,048 yards with 35 touchdowns, and Britt's defense will be looking for an improved effort after allowing 212 yards on the ground in a first-round win against Lumberton. Mark McRae had his second 200-yard passing game of the season against the Pirates, and Eric Carter leads the team with 946 rushing yards, one more than Marquis Foshee.
Next game: Winner plays Fuquay-Varina or Richmond Senior
Southeast Guilford (7-5) at E.E. Smith (10-1)
4-A Mideast
Matchup: Instead of facing Durham Hillside, which eliminated the Golden Bulls in the second round last season and handed them their only loss this year, E.E. Smith takes on the third-place team from the Metro Conference. Southeast Guilford trailed 14-7 at Hillside last week before tying the game with 47 seconds left and using an interception to set up a 42-yard field goal as time expired. The Falcons were upset by Greensboro Grimsley during the regular season, and they allowed at least 38 points in losses to Southern Guilford, Dudley and Page. The Golden Bulls are led by dual-threat quarterback Phillip Bell, who has passed for 1,643 yards and rushed for 1,197.
Next game: Winner plays Lee County or Scotland
Lee County (9-3) at Scotland (10-1)
4-A Mideast
Matchup: Lee County's offense exploded for 499 yards, including 346 rushing, during a 57-35 win against Terry Sanford last week, but Scotland is allowing only 9.8 points per game. Shrine Bowl linebacker Artemis Robinson returned an interception for a touchdown last week while his older brother, Green Bay Packers rookie Terrell Manning, watched from the stands, and that 40-5 victory was the sixth time this season Scotland has given up seven points or less. It last played Lee County in 2006, winning 37-14.
Next game: Winner plays Southeast Guilford or E.E. Smith
Overhills (7-4) at Southern Guilford (10-1)
3-AA Mideast
Matchup: Scoring on a kickoff return, reception and two rushes, Donald Alexander accounted for four touchdowns in Overhills' second-ever playoff win. The Jaguars have been outgained 736-416 in the last two games, including 410-201 last week, but their grind-it-out style created noteworthy time-of-possession advantages against Western Alamance (27 of 48 minutes) and Gray's Creek (30 minutes). It'll be important to keep the ball away from Southern Guilford's ground-oriented offense, which has two talented backs in Malik Moseley (2,144 yards) and Reggie Gallaspy (1,566).
Next game: Winner plays Chapel Hill or Northern Guilford
St. Pauls (9-3) at Reidsville (10-2)
2-AA Mideast
Matchup: After scoring at least 42 points in each of its regular-season victories, St. Pauls needed a strong defensive effort to pull out a 22-17 win against Pittsboro Northwood last week. Shawn Williams had the go-ahead touchdown with four minutes remaining, and the Bulldogs made a fourth-down stop inside their 10-yard line with 30 seconds left. St. Pauls won its first playoff game since 2007, when it lost in the third round to Reidsville, which has won 18 state titles. The Rams, who have lost this season to 3-A schools Western Alamance and West Rowan, are led by dual-threat quarterback Devonte Williams (1,325 of his 2,094 yards are through the air) and Jayron Rankin (team leader with 1,111 rushing yards, 77 tackles).
Next game: Winner plays Randleman or Carrboro
Eastern Randolph (8-4) at East Bladen (8-3)
2-A Mideast
Matchup: The Wildcats finished in a tie for second in the Mid-State Conference behind Reidsville. They had a three-game losing streak at one point, but they've won five of their last six. East Bladen has won five straight, including a 28-7 victory over fellow Waccamaw Conference member Whiteville last Friday to open the playoffs.
Next game: Winner plays South Granville or South Columbus
S. Granville (9-3) at S. Columbus (10-2)
2-A Mideast
Matchup: South Granville, the Carolina 12 runner-up to unbeaten Carrboro, features its league's top two running backs in sophomore Sean Bowman (1,253 yards) and senior Kenny Walls (1,099). South Columbus is led by 6-foot-7 quarterback Pharoah McKever, an N.C. State commit. Dashaun Daniels rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 31-20 playoff win over Clinton.
Next game: Winner plays Eastern Randolph or East Bladen
Union (7-5) at Warsaw Kenan (11-0)
1-AA Mideast
Matchup: The Spartans have gone 5-2 since losing to Kenan in their Tri-County Conference opener, 44-6. Quarterback Alfredo Garcia led the league with 790 passing yards, but the Tigers counter with junior Marcelias Sutton, the conference's top rusher at 1,352 yards.
Next game: Winner plays Pender County or Red Springs
Pender County (6-5) at Red Springs (9-3)
1-AA Mideast
Matchup: The Patriots pulled off a playoff upset last week, breaking open a 20-20 game to oust perennial power Wallace-Rose Hill, 40-20, on the Bulldogs' home field. But now they face the daunting challenge of corraling Red Devils QB Blake Greene, who has thrown for 2,066 yards and scored 204 points.
Next game: Winner plays Union or Warsaw Kenan
Harrells Christian (9-2) at Davidson Day (9-2)
NCISAA Div. II 11-man semifinals
Matchup: Is there a scoreboard that can handle this duel? Davidson QB Will Grier picked the Crusaders apart 46-29 on opening night, Aug. 17: 369 passing yards and four touchdowns, and he rushed for 150. He's the No. 1 passer in the nation with 4,457 yards. HCA has gone 9-1 since that loss and is the nation's No. 1 running team with 5,851 yards. Russell Washington, who didn't play Aug. 17, is averaging 246.7 yards per game. Backfield mates Kelly Nelms and Channing Kelly, juniors, are averaging 113 and 111.5, respectively.
Next game: Winner plays North Raleigh Christian or Asheville Christ School for championship.