CAP-7 CONFERNCE FOOTBALL
Six football contests not to miss
In no order of importance, here are the six conference games I believe each football fan should mark on his or her calendar. And there's good news, all six are slated for a different Friday night, so you won't have to miss any of them.
(In retrospect, I could have listed them chronologically, but where's the fun in that.)
So here is the list ...
Leesville Road vs. WF-R — Friday, Nov. 6
I'm putting this contest first because it's the most obvious. Leaving this game off the list would be like leaving Moe's off a checklist of best Mexican restaurants starting with M and O. (That's not a plug — they don't advertise. I just like Moe's. A lot.)
But back to the Pride/Cougar match-up. This regular-season finale has become the de-facto Cap-7 Conference game.
And with both teams riding into league action at 5-0, it doesn't take much to hypothesise that this game could mean plenty.
Plus, these two programs appear — at least on the surface — to be polar opposites. The Cougars are defensive stalwarts, having allowed just 14 total points this season. On the other spectrum, Leesville hasn't scored fewer than 28 points in a game this season.
I don't mean this to sound as though Leesville's defense and WF-R's offense aren't capable, however. They just aren't as well known on that side of the ball. (You like how I backtracked there to cover myself — call me 0014. Like two people will get that joke.)
Sanderson at Wakefield — Friday, Sept. 25
It is not everyday two Division-I caliber wide receivers (Sanderson's Matt James and Wakefield's Nigel King) compete on the same field, so enjoy this one.
But take a moment, while watching the duo trade jaw-dropping plays, to try and figure out which one is more athletic?
That's a difficult choice.
No one in the Cap-7 has the blend of size and speed of James. But King seems a little more physical. Plus, Wakefield assistant coach Charles Johnson — a former NFL player — said he'd take King over anybody on a drop ball. That's a pretty good endorsement.
This has no relevance at all, but they are a ton of fun to watch play basketball, too. Both seemingly scale buildings in a single leap.
Either way, I am certain it must be outrageously fun to be either one of these guys. To know every time you take the field, you are the best athlete out there must be a thrill. This week, however, they must share the stage, and we are the benefactors.
Wakefield at WF-R — Friday, Oct. 16
Having attended the past two editions of this Backyard Brawl, I can vouch that there is plenty of pride on the line.
After dominating WF-R in the early part of the decade — i.e. the pre-Earl Smith years — the Wolverines have dropped the last two, and are seeking to reverse the trend.
In 2008, the Cougars came in riding high — predicted by many to represent the East in the title game— but only managed a 17-7 victory. It shows you can throw out the records when rivals get together.
With its impressive shutout of Southern Durham earlier this season, WF-R appears to be a defensive force. But don't sleep on the Wolverines, who feature a bevy of capable skill position players, and an improved running game — a huge plus over last year's squad.
This year's game has an added twist of being held at Heritage High, while Wake Forest-Rolesville High School is remodeled. Avoiding legendary Trentini Stadium should be a positive for the Wolverines.
Millbrook at Sanderson — Friday, Oct. 9
While we're on the topic of rivalry games, few match-ups will be as intense as this north Raleigh "border" war.
If you don't remember last year's outcome, the Wildcats hung a 42-0 pasting on an injury-plagued Sanderson squad. (Though don't think Millbrook was rubbing it in, they were posting big numbers against everyone last year, scoring less than 30 points just twice in 2008.)
Both team's look drastically different from last year's versions.
The Spartans feature a new coach — Tony Lewis — with new schemes on both sides of the ball. While Millbrook has the same coaching staff, led by Clarence Inscore, nearly 80 percent of the 2008 offense is gone.
Expect the 2009 game to have more drama than the 2008 match-up. Really, how could it not?
Leesville Road vs. Broughton — Friday, Oct. 2
How can I put the Pride's match-up with 1-4 Broughton on the list? Easy. The Capitals came into Leesville's house last year and throttled the Pride 35-14.
When asked about the game in the summer, Leesville safety Ryan Mangum called it an "embarrassing" loss.
This year's squad hasn't forgotten that game, and they will be looking to make a statement.
I'm glad I'm won't be wearing purple Oct. 2.
Leesville Road at Millbrook — Friday, Oct. 23
Speaking of revenge games, this match-up should have everything you are looking for.
These two well-established programs have plenty in common — long-tenured staffs, athletic junior QBs, offensive-minded attacks. And most importantly, both teams have a propensity for being in the discussion for a Cap-7 title.
But with all their similarities, there is one notable difference.
The Pride are riding a three-game winning streak in the series.
In 2008, Leesville won 24-0.
In 2007, Leesville won 38-35.
And in 2006, Leesville won 28-3.
Say what you want about the relevance of a game three years ago — yes, most of the players were in middle school in 2006 — but Millbrook should be chomping at the bit pull out the victory.
