NCISAA football swings into full force as all but a couple of school swing into action this week. Though the statewide weather forecasts are predicting rain and all school are on go for tonight. 21 games make for a huge night of football after a Thursday night contest in which Charlotte Christian by Sun Valley HS 35-13.
This year in the weekly predictions I am blessed to have my good friend Chris Meehl, athletic director at Cape Fear Academy, on board to challenge me or possibly thrash me with his prognostications as well. Thanks Chris.
After one week Chris has a 5-2 record while I’m 4-3.
Here are our predictions for this week.
Rocky Mount Prep @ Arendell Parrott
Arendell Parrott opens its season with the first of two 11 man contests it will play this season. Is this a sign of things to come ?
My pick..Parrott 33 RM Prep 12
Chris Meehl….Parrott
Greenbriar Christian Va @ Cary Christian
Greenbriar scored 20 straight points in its opener last week vs St Davids. Cary Christian is coming off a winless 2018 in which they were outscored by 349 points
My pick…Greenbriar Christian 44 Cary Christian 12
ChrisMeehl…Greenbriar
Fayetteville Christian @ Faith Christian
This game was a late change from the schedule that we did not pick up in time. Faith Christian starts the year as the defending 8man DI chmaps while Fayetteville Christian reenters the 8 man ranks after 13 years. The Warriors are winless since 2016
Rocky Mount @ Southampton, Va
Rocky Mount, a powerhouse in recent years, is in a rebuiliding mode while Southampton, with a 33 man squad, rejoins Virginia 8 man ranks
My Pick…Southampton 42 RockyMount 20
Chris Meehl…Southampton
Covenant Va @ St Davids
St Davids gave up 20 straight points in their 20-18 set back to Greenbriar Christian. Covenant, out of Charlottesville won the Virginia 8 man state title last season.
My pick…Covenant 30 St Davids 21
Chris Meehl…St Davids
Pungo @ Bethel Christian
Both teams open the season in this contest. Bethel will be improved this season while Pungo’s depth will be a problem
My pick…Bethel Christian 45 Pungo 22
Chris Meehl..Bethel Christian
Community Christian @ Halifax
Halifax is coming off reaching the D II final the two past years but falling both times to Northeast/Hobgood. Veteran CCS coach Andy Jackson’s unit is inexperienced and depth could be an issue.
My pick…Halifax 38 CCS 6
Chris Meehl…Halifax
Northeast/Hobgood @ Wayne Christian
NE/H has won the past two D-I titles and comes into this season as one to the favorites to triplicate this honor. Meanwhile Wayne Christian has revived its football program after a year’s hiatus.
My pick…Northeast/Hobgood 55 Wayne Christian 6
Chris Meehl…Northeast/Hobgood
Cabarrus Warriors @ HighPoint Christian
Cabarrus, a combo of Cannon & Concord 1st Assembly made its debut with a 14-8 OT loss last week at North Raleigh. High Point Christian pounded Commonwealth Charter 45-0.
My pick…High Point Christian 47 Cabarrus 21
Chris Meehl…High Point Christian
Charlotte Country Day @ Trinity Byrnes Collegiate SC
Charlotte Country Day won the D-II state title last year and are one of the favorites for the four team D-I playoffs this year. Trinity-Byrnes reached the second round of the SCHSL last year.
My pick…CCD 35 Trinity Byrnes 20
Chris Meelh…CCD
Timberland SC @ Latin
Latin was impressive in their 37-0 shutout win over Covenant Day last week. This week they face Timberland, a team that reached the SCHSL state championship latst year.
My pick..Latin 24 Timberland 17
Chris Meehl…Latin
North Raleigh @ Hickory Grove
North Raleigh topped Cabarrus in OT last week to match their win total of 2018 while for Hickory Grove this is their season opener.
My pick…North Raleigh 17 Hickory Grove 14
Chris Meehl…North Raleigh
Mountain Island Charter vs Providence Day @ UNC Charlotte
Providence Day has several DI and will feature a formidable defense.
My pick..Providence Day 34 Mountain Island 14
Chris Meehl…Providence Day
Greenwood Raptors SC @ Rabun Gap
Rabun Gap is coming off a 5-6 campaign last year and faces Greenwood Raptors, a Greenwood SC home school team in their opener.
My pick…Rabun Gap 39 Greenwood 12
Chris Meehl..Rabun Gap
Ravenscroft @ Granville Central
Ravenscroft has a tough opener in Granville Central who went 8-2 last year and won the Northern Carolina 2A/1A Conference title
My pick…Granville Central 27 Ravenscroft 14
Chris Meehl…Granville Central
Wake Christian @ Lakewood
Wake Christian won their opener last week with a 49-44 shootout in new coach Beau Barger’s debut.
My pick…Lakewood 24 Wake Christian 14
Chris Meehl…Lakewood
Winston Salem Prep @ Asheville School
Asheville School reached the D-III finals falling to ineligible Village Christian. The Blues face Winston Salem Prep, a school more known for its basketball prowness in its opener.
My pick…Asheville School 29 WS Prep 14
Chris Meehl…Asheville School
Sandhills Titans @ Harrells
Sandhills blew a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter to fall to Wake Christian. Harrells moves to the D III ranks this season.
My pick…Harrells 28 Sandhills 24
Chris Meehl..Harrells
Trinity Christian @ Metrolina
Trinity Christian was by far the smallest school making the D-I playoffs last season. Metrolina blew out Southlake in their opener. This should be the best games of the week.
My pick..TrinityChristian 34 Metrolina 20
Southlake @ Lake Norman Charter
Southlake fell hard to Metrolina 42-0 last week. My upset special
My pick…Southlake 22 Lake Norman Charter 20
Chris Meehl...Lake Norman Charter
VC/NC Royals @ Statesville Christian
The season opener bor VA/NC, Victory Christian & Northside. The two squads have suffered in recent years but could be a D-III contender this year. Statesville Christian has fallen in recent years and though an NCISAA team, play a non NCISAA schedule.
My pick..VC/NC 26 Statesville Christian 20
Chris Meehl…VC/NC
