West Stanly (5-0) at Forest Hills (3-3)
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Series Record: Forest Hills 34-9-1
Last Meeting: 2018 (W. Stan. 55-48)
Notes: The Colts’ Rocky River Conference opener Friday on the road pits the undefeated Colts against a Jackets team West has beaten two of the last three seasons.

Last year’s match up set a record for West for the largest combined score in a game (103 points).

The aptly-named Forest Hills QB, Cannon Davis, has thrown for 883 yards (82-of-151) and 8 TDs with nine picks this season.

West head coach Brett Morton said the Jackets are clicking more offensively at this point in the season and are more experience and some size on the offensive line.

Defensively, Morton said Forest Hills has some aggressive safeties and speed up front.
West’s offense has put up big numbers this season, averaging 44.6 points per game. Jordan Poole leads the county in rushing yards (982) and has 13 TDs on the ground while QB Jordan Manshack has thrown for 553 yards and 4 TDs.

The Colts’ defense has allowed 46 points after allowing 113 through five weeks last season. Gavin Hudson leads West with 63 tackles while the Colts have 14 sacks as a team and picked off five passes.

North Moore (1-4, 0-1 YVC)at South Stanly (3-3, 1-1 YVC)
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Series Record: South Stanly 23-11
Last Meeting: 2018 (S. Stanly 33-0)
Notes: The Bulls return Friday for homecoming festivities after a 47-point loss to North Rowan, the worst margin of defeat for South since last year’s playoff loss to eventual state champion Tarboro.

This week, South faces a Mustang team whose strength defensively comes from the line. Two of North Moore’s lineman (Bradon Thompson and Juan Hernandez) are around the 300-pound mark.

South head coach Ryan Ochier said the Mustangs are aggressive and physical on defense but added the Bulls are faster and deeper than North Moore.

“Our skill positions outweigh their talent,” Ochier said.

North Stanly (2-4, 1-0 YVC) at South Davidson (0-6, 0-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Series Record: 9-1 North Stanly
Last Meeting: 2018 (N. Stanly 55-0)
Notes: The Comets face an improved Wildcats team despite its record. South Davidson came within two yards of beating South Stanly earlier this season.

North head coach Scott Crisco said the Wildcats are improved from last year running a ball-control offense which consumes a lot of time.

“We need to take advantage of the offensive series we get,” Crisco said.

Last week’s win over Chatham Central gave the Comets a boost in practice this week, Crisco added, not just from the win but having success on offense, defense and special teams.

(Sports Editor’s Note: The following was incorrect in the original headline of the preview but was correct in the standings in the print edition. Albemarle will be at home Friday against North Rowan.)

North Rowan (4-3, 2-0 YVC) at Albemarle (2-4, 2-0 YVC)
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Series Record: N. Rowan 8-7
Last Meeting: 2018 (N. Rowan 40-7)
Notes: The Bulldogs face one of the hottest teams in the YVC Friday night in Spencer.

North Rowan opened 0-3 but have won four in a row and outscored teams 160-32 over the Cavaliers’ current four-game win streak.

“(The Cavaliers) are a very talented overcoming a slow start to their season like ourselves,” Albemarle head coach Richard Davis said, referring to Albemarle having won two in a row after opening with four straight losses.

Davis also said the Cavaliers are like sharks with blood in the water once the team builds a little momentum.