CAP-7 CONFERNCE FOOTBALL
Wakefield's Connor Mitch (left) and Millbrook's Trey McFarland might be first-year varsity starters, but the duo has shown all the poise and ability to be stars for their respective teams.
Both quarterbacks have stellar defenses helping them ease into their new leadership positions.
Stellar defenses headline Wakefield/Millbrook match-up
What a difference a year makes.
A season removed from having two of Wake County's most high-powered offenses, the Millbrook and Wakefield football teams enter Friday's match-up with a decidedly different look this fall. A more defensive look, for sure.
The Wolverines, allowing just 12.5 points a game, haven't surrendered more than two touchdowns in a game in a month.
Likewise, the Wildcats have flexed defensive muscle this fall, allowing more than 20 points just once.
For Wakefield defensive lineman Will Butler, his squad's success isn't based on scheme so much — though the Wolverines' switch to a 3-3 front this season appears effective — but rather athleticism.
"What's different between this year and last year? I just look around at our defense and I see so many more athletes," the junior explained. Linemen Matt Yovanovich, Moises Ramirez and Butler are quick at the point of attack, and the Wolverines' linebacking corps, led by Darius Brown, can keep up with most ball carriers.
Millbrook defensive end Marcus Plummer credits his squads defensive backs for setting the tone, led by Jarrick Feaster.
"Our defense backs aren't allowing any receivers to get open," the Wildcat explained. "And our linebackers do a great job of filling holes, and making tackles.
"I really don't think we've had anyone play well against us so far."
Although Millbrook and Wakefield have played impressive defensively, the squads are heading in opposite directions during the past month.
After opening up 2-0, the Wildcats (3-3) have stumbled losing three of four. On the other side, Wakefield (4-2) bounced back from a lackluster loss to Holly Springs in week 2, recording wins in three of its next four contests.
For two teams not expected to contend for a Cap-7 Conference title earlier this season, Friday's game could be the perfect place to stage a championship run.
Here are some other topics to think about before kickoff.
Where are the Wildcats heading into Friday?
After last week's disappointing loss to Broughton, Plummer and the Millbrook football team know there are doubters out there.
But the Wildcats believe they have better performances in store.
"We want to show people we are better than what happened last Friday," Plummer said.
Turnovers and injuries have been the Wildcats' biggest obstacle this season.
Millbrook QB Trey McFarland missed two games following a concussion against East Wake.
But the junior is back, giving the Wildcats a multi-dimensional threat opponents need to respect. With McFarland behind center, it also allows Michael Thornton and Scott Gray to go back to their normal wideout positions, where the duo can cause plenty of harm.
Just a sophomore, running back Keith Marshall has displayed a knack for the big play, breaking off scoring runs of 94- and 54-yards in consecutive weeks.
While Millbrook's offense has the weapons, too often they have been their own worst enemy.
In each of the past two weeks — two winnable games against Southern Durham and Broughton — the Wildcats have accounted for seven first-half turnovers and a safety.
It is hard to win when you can't hold onto the ball.
"We are always shooting ourselves in the foot," Plummer said. "But we have been working to fix that."
According to the defensive end, the Wildcats have had its No. 1 units scrimmage each other in practice, and its brought a new level of intensity to their preparation.
Plummer predicted linebacker Austin Merritt could be on the verge of a breakout game.
Asked what the Wildcats' mindset was heading into Friday, the senior explained simply, "To win."
Feaster knows the Wildcats need a win to get back momentum, and build momentum.
"People are talking about us losing last week, and there's a lot of people doubting us," he said. " We just have to go out there prove everybody wrong."
Where are the Wolverines heading into Friday?
The Wolverines should be riding high given a dominating 32-6 performance over Sanderson last week.
The victory also comes on the heels of a hard-fought 14-7 loss at Greensboro, and an inspired 28-7 comeback over Durham Riverside. The Wolverines are playing their best ball right now.
But coach J.D. Dinwiddie is still looking for the complete-game, four-quarter effort.
And Butler knows the Wolverines will need that to defeat the Wildcats. The Wildcats can't be overlooked because of their recent two-game slide.
"It's homecoming for them, and you know they are going to be fired up," the junior said. "We are going to have to bring our 'A' game for this one."
Butler explained to several Wolverines, the Millbrook/Wakefield match is the biggest rivalry of the year — even more fierce than Wakefield/WF-R.
And recent history shows its been an evenly-matched fight as the squads have split their last two meetings, with the Wolverines' winning a 33-31 thriller in 2008.
But the Wolverines enter its 2009 contest with a vastly improved running game, Butler explained.
Although sophomore Courtney Crews is likely out with a wrist injury, Wakefield has a trio of capable runners. And Denzel Brown, Terrance Scott and Mychal Jones provide the Wolverines with a dimension the squad lacked last year.
"If you look at our running back positions, we didn't have a lot back there last year," Butler said. "But now we have three of four guys who can get the job done."
The Wolverines have shown the ability to strike quick on offense this year, converting an opponent's turnover or punt into fast points.
In last week's first quarter against Sanderson, QB Connor Mitch connected on TD passes on the Wolverines' first play of a possession.
Wide receiver Nigel King — who missed Wakefield's first four games — appears in mid-season form anyway, hauling in TD passes in each of this first two games back.
Butler explained there are several options in the receiving corps, including tight end Jake Lenox. "I think once he gets his confidence up,he will be a good threat, too," Butler said.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Friday.
