1A State Playoffs Preview: Robbinsville vs W-S Prep
TeamFYNSports April 14, 2021 No Comments on 1A State Playoffs Preview: Robbinsville vs W-S Prep 410
It’s FINALLY playoff time here in North Carolina. The brackets have been set and matchups announced, so let’s do a quick run through of what to expect from the first round matchup between the number 2 seed Robbinsville Black Knights and the number 7 seed Winston-Salem Prep Phoenix.
Winston-Salem Prep
Winston-Salem Prep comes into the playoffs as the number 7 seed. They are 5-2 on the year, with losses to 3rd ranked East Surry and 8th ranked Mount Airy. By far the two best teams that they have played this year, and they didn’t put up much of a fight. Robbinsville is right up there with East Surry and Mount Airy, as they are ranked 5th in the State.
If W-S Prep wants to be the Cinderella story of this year’s playoffs, they are going to have to lean heavy on their air-raid offense.
Being in the SMC- a run first conference- Robbinsville has not seen the kind of passing attack the Phoenix are bringing. Junior W-S Prep QB Tim Davis can make plays both through the air and on the ground. He averages 300 yards passing per game and has eclipsed the 2,000 total yard passing mark already this year. He has also thrown for 21 touchdowns and ran for nearly 500 yards and 5 TDs. Another important note is that even though he has nearly 200 attempts on the year, he’s only thrown 4 interceptions.
#8 Tresean Stewart is Davis’ favorite target. Stewart leads the team in rushing and receiving yards. He’s averaging over 200 all purpose yards per game (90 rushing, 115 receiving) and is a definite threat in the backfield since you don’t know where they are going to line him up.
On the defensive side of things, W-S Prep is going to try to create problems for Black Knight QB Nathan Collins. The Phoenix defense is led by #3 Zaire Patterson. Patterson has nearly 50 tackles on the year, and he is always in the backfield. He’s accumulated 12.5 Tackles for loss already this year.
Robbinsville
Okay, we’ve talked about how W-S Prep is bringing this new air-raid offense and how the Balck Knights may struggle against it, which they might. But we are still talking about the defending state champs here. You don’t complete 2 back to back dominant undefeated regular seasons and then not prepare for a first round opponent. Don’t expect Robbinsville to be shocked when W-S Prep starts throwing the ball around. I know the Black Knights coaching staff has studied and prepped all week for this one, and they’ve got some things in place to try to shut down the passing game.
In my opinion, all Robbinsville needs to do to win is play their game. Get your QB Nathan Collins and RB Lex Hooper going on the ground early and punish the Phoenix defense by simply holding on to the ball. Robbinsville needs to implement the same game plan they had against Murphy in the SMC Champiomship game last week. Hold on to the football and limit the opposing offenses big plays and you’ll win this game easily. I’m not saying it’s going to be a cakewalk here for Robbinsville. W-S Prep could very well come out and shock the Knights. But as long as Robbinsville plays their game and stays with the same mountain football mentality they’ve had for the past decade, then I expect the Knights to roll here.
Number of Fans Allowed at Football Games Increased to 30%
Business February 24, 2021
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the cap on fans at sporting events would be increased.
The new order does not go into effect until Friday at 5 P.M. so this Thursdays games will still be under the 100 spectator rule.
Outdoor sports are allowed to have a maximum of 30% of the venues capacity, so even though we wont see stadiums filled, we will see an exponential increase in fans.
Indoor venues are also allowed a maximum of 30% capacity, but that is capped at 250 people no matter if 30% of the venue exceeds that number.
2,000 people is my best guess on what local area stadiums can hold. 30% of 2,000 is 600, so you can bounce that number around in your head when considering about how many fans will be allowed inside games.
At least this way all the parents of the kids will get to attend. We are taking steps in the right direction, and we can only hope that things will get back to normal sooner than later.
NCHSAA: More Fans Could Be Allowed At Football Games
TeamFYNSports February 16, 2021
Photo from MHS Athletics on Facebook
NCHSAA- Que Tucker, the North Carolina Athletic Association Commissioner, sent out a letter today in which she talked about the limits placed on spectators at outdoor sporting events.
North Carolina High Schools currently are required to limit spectators to 100 people at all outdoor sporting events thanks to NC Governor Roy Coopers executive order that was put in place over COVID-19 concerns.
The executive order is set to end on February 28th, so it ultimately depends on whether or not the Governor extends that order or makes amends to it.
There is currently a parent organized petition being sent around calling for more spectators to be allowed at outdoor events, and the petition has garnered more than 35,000 signatures. The petition if you wish to sign can be found here: https://chng.it/MH4TZCV49W
In the letter sent to North Carolina member schools, Tucker said:
Coinciding with the high school football season’s official start, much attention has been paid to football contests’ seating limitations, as indicated in Governor Cooper’s Executive Order for outdoor stadiums. It has been suggested that the NCHSAA isn’t doing its part to “put pressure” on Governor Cooper and Dr. Cohen! That is unlikely to happen, as it has never been the philosophy of the NCHSAA to pressure people with more authority and more expertise in some issues. Would the NCHSAA like more people in the stands? Absolutely! But to be clear, we want that when it is safe and conducive to do so.
For those who are less aware, the NCHSAA has been at the table with DHHS, when appropriate, to share our thoughts and make suggestions relative to amateur and youth sports guidelines. We have weighed in on seating limitations, beginning with volleyball and basketball. Likewise, we have been invited to do so for outdoor venues as we approach the February end of this current Executive Order! Just maybe the numbers will change.
Maybe the numbers limiting fans and parents to attend their kids sporting events will change. It would be a shame if they didn’t. 15 minutes down the road in Georgia and Tennessee, North Carolina sat and watched idly as GHSA and TSSAA football seasons came and went without a hitch. Now that the season is finally here in North Carolina, we may not even be able to watch a game except through a live stream.
Hopefully the powers at be see how passionate fans are about wanting to watch their teams play, and can come up with a safe way to let more than 100 people attend a game.
NCHSAA 1a Preseason Football Rankings
Business February 4, 2021
Football season is right around the corner in North Carolina. What a weird season it will be with games starting at the end of February.
The FYN Sports team has sat down and compiled our North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1A Football Rankings.
We took into account how the teams finished last year, the players that they had returning, and the strength of schedule that they will be playing. It is a shortened 7 game schedule for all North Carolina teams, so that was also taken into account.
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East Surry
East Surry throttled Tarboro in the Big 1A State Championship 56-28 last year. They lost a few seniors to college and one impact player who early enrolled since the season was moved, but they also return two division 1 guys and a handful of D2-D3 talent. We’ve got them going into the season ranked at Number 1 for a reason.
Photo From East Surry Athletics Facebook Page
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Tarboro
Tarboro advanced to the Big 1A State Championship last year and lost to the aforementioned East Surry Cardinals. That was the only blemish on their schedule last year, and the first loss the Vikings had suffered since 2016! In 2017 and 2018 they won back-to-back State Championships. I have heard rumors of Tarboro being in Little 1A or Big 1A. Same with a few other teams on this list. I would expect Tarboro to compete in either classification.
Photo From @TarboroFotball on Twitter
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Robbinsville
Photo From RHS Digital Media on Facebook
The kings of the Smoky Mountain Conference last year, overcoming “big brother’ Murphy twice. They beat Northampton 45-14 in the Little 1A State Championship. They are losing their main offensive weapon and star running back to graduation, but the Black Knights will look to reload as always. Coach Dee Walsh has the Knights competing for a title every year it seems. The Black Knights will look to repeat as State Champions by first winning the SMC again this year, a task some say is harder than winning the State title.
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Murphy
10-3 overall record last year, with 2 of those losses coming against defending Little 1A State Champions and Conference rival, Robbinsville. In the third round of the State Playoffs last year, they fell to Robbinsville 24-13 after previously losing to the Black Knights 17-14 at home in the regular season. Coach David Gentry definitely cannot be happy losing to that team across the County Line twice, and seeing them hoist the State Title means the Bulldogs will be out for blood this year. Circle Murphy @ Robbinsville on your calendar!
Photo courtesy of Stacey Posey
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John A. Holmes (Edenton)
The John A. Holmes Aces were rolling last year until they ran into Tarboro in the regional championship in Big 1A. 12-1 with a defense that allowed 7 or fewer points in games last year, I think that they will pose a threat to make a run at the Title, especially if Tarboro moves down and East Surry has lost more talent than it seems.
Photo From Edenton Aces Facebook page
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Mountain Island Charter
Photo from Irishsportsdaily.com
Southern Piedmont Conference Champs last year. Lost to East Surry in the Elite 8 in Big 1A. A high powered offense that scored 50 or more in 6 games last and has quite a few Juniors returning on the offensive side of the ball. The Raptors are building something and have finally made it over the hump with last years’ 11-3 season.
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Mitchell
Mitchell is the first team on this list where playing in February (and the weather that Febrary brings) could really hurt them. The Mountaineers are no stranger to bad weather in the winter months, and with the way this COVID season will work, they can’t afford any games lost due to inclement weather. Last year, they lost to East Surry in the Big 1A Regional Championship game. Look for them to have another good year, and perhaps find themselves back down in Little 1A.
Photo From sprucepinechevy.com
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Swain County
Last year, the Maroon Devils lost to Mitchell in the 2nd round of the Big 1A State Championships. In the regular season, they unfortunately faced Murphy and Robbinsville in back-to-back weeks on their schedule, where they fell to Murphy 15-14 and then were gassed by Robbinsville 43-6. It may be weird to see a team that finished third in their Conference ranked in the Top 10 in the State, but you have to remember what conference they play in, and the fact that these guys just seem to be able to compete year-in and year-out regardless. The Veer is a hard thing to beat in High School football.
Photo From Swain Pride on Facebook
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Northampton County
A cinderella story in last years Little 1A State Playoffs, they upset both Rosewood and North Edgecomb to advance to the State Championship before eventually falling to Robbinsville. 11-2 in 2017, then again in 2018 and the number 1 seed entering the playoffs where they lost to Rosewood in the third round. Northampton has produced a pretty good run of football teams here recently and I expect this year to be no different.
Photo from RRSpin.com
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Rosewood
The Eagles lost to Northampton 26-20 in the 3rd round of Little 1a playoffs in 2019. They went 11-2 and were the Carolina Conference Champions. In their lone regular season loss, they found themselves in a pretty tight one with 3A/4A C.B. Aycock. With a lot of returners and a good coaching staff, Rosewood is set to make waves yet again.
Photo from HUDL
NCHSAA 1a Preseason Football Rankings
Business February 4, 2021
Football season is right around the corner in North Carolina. What a weird season it will be with games starting at the end of February.
The FYN Sports team has sat down and compiled our North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1A Football Rankings.
We took into account how the teams finished last year, the players that they had returning, and the strength of schedule that they will be playing. It is a shortened 7 game schedule for all North Carolina teams, so that was also taken into account.
-
East Surry
East Surry throttled Tarboro in the Big 1A State Championship 56-28 last year. They lost a few seniors to college and one impact player who early enrolled since the season was moved, but they also return two division 1 guys and a handful of D2-D3 talent. We’ve got them going into the season ranked at Number 1 for a reason.
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Tarboro
Tarboro advanced to the Big 1A State Championship last year and lost to the aforementioned East Surry Cardinals. That was the only blemish on their schedule last year, and the first loss the Vikings had suffered since 2016! In 2017 and 2018 they won back-to-back State Championships. I have heard rumors of Tarboro being in Little 1A or Big 1A. Same with a few other teams on this list. I would expect Tarboro to compete in either classification.
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Robbinsville
The kings of the Smoky Mountain Conference last year, overcoming “big brother’ Murphy twice. They beat Northampton 45-14 in the Little 1A State Championship. They are losing their main offensive weapon and star running back to graduation, but the Black Knights will look to reload as always. Coach Dee Walsh has the Knights competing for a title every year it seems. The Black Knights will look to repeat as State Champions by first winning the SMC again this year, a task some say is harder than winning the State title.
-
Murphy
10-3 overall record last year, with 2 of those losses coming against defending Little 1A State Champions and Conference rival, Robbinsville. In the third round of the State Playoffs last year, they fell to Robbinsville 24-13 after previously losing to the Black Knights 17-14 at home in the regular season. Coach David Gentry definitely cannot be happy losing to that team across the County Line twice, and seeing them hoist the State Title means the Bulldogs will be out for blood this year. Circle Murphy @ Robbinsville on your calendar!
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John A. Holmes
The John A. Holmes Aces were rolling last year until they ran into Tarboro in the regional championship in Big 1A. 12-1 with a defense that allowed 7 or fewer points in games last year, I think that they will pose a threat to make a run at the Title, especially if Tarboro moves down and East Surry has lost more talent than it seems.
-
Mountain Island Charter
Southern Piedmont Conference Champs last year. Lost to East Surry in the Elite 8 in Big 1A. A high powered offense that scored 50 or more in 6 games last and has quite a few Juniors returning on the offensive side of the ball. The Raptors are building something and have finally made it over the hump with last years’ 11-3 season.
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Mitchell
Mitchell is the first team on this list where playing in February (and the weather that Febrary brings) could really hurt them. The Mountaineers are no stranger to bad weather in the winter months, and with the way this COVID season will work, they can’t afford any games lost due to inclement weather. Last year, they lost to East Surry in the Big 1A Regional Championship game. Look for them to have another good year, and perhaps find themselves back down in Little 1A.
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Swain County
Last year, the Maroon Devils lost to Mitchell in the 2nd round of the Big 1A State Championships. In the regular season, they unfortunately faced Murphy and Robbinsville in back-to-back weeks on their schedule, where they fell to Murphy 15-14 and then were gassed by Robbinsville 43-6. It may be weird to see a team that finished third in their Conference ranked in the Top 10 in the State, but you have to remember what conference they play in, and the fact that these guys just seem to be able to compete year-in and year-out regardless. The Veer is a hard thing to beat in High School football.
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Northampton County
A cinderella story in last years Little 1A State Playoffs, they upset both Rosewood and North Edgecomb to advance to the State Championship before eventually falling to Robbinsville. 11-2 in 2017, then again in 2018 and the number 1 seed entering the playoffs where they lost to Rosewood in the third round. Northampton has produced a pretty good run of football teams here recently and I expect this year to be no different.
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Rosewood
The Eagles lost to Northampton 26-20 in the 3rd round of Little 1a playoffs in 2019. They went 11-2 and were the Carolina Conference Champions. In their lone regular season loss, they found themselves in a pretty tight one with 3A/4A C.B. Aycock. With a lot of returners and a good coaching staff, Rosewood is set to make waves yet again.