Tri-9 Fearless Friday Football predictions: Week 8

Apex is on its bye week.

Game of the week

Holly Springs (4-3, 3-1) at Fuquay-Varina (6-0, 3-0)

 

There won't be many passes in this one. These two rivals play almost the exact same way — trying to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and use an option attack that relies heavily on a star fullback. Even though I expected Holly Springs to be a playoff team this year, nobody could've expected them to be eligible for the playoffs this early. The Golden Hawks haven't scored more than 28 points this year, but have done the right things necessary to win and stay in ball games. Last week's final-second upset of Panther Creek was the third time this year CONSECUTIVE week the Golden Hawks had won in the 61 seconds (47-yard touchdown pass with 1:01 left, 55-yard fumble return against Cary with :58, 22-yard FG against Panther Creek with :00). They'll need that confidence boost needed going to Bengal Stadium and playing in front of the raucous "Orange Crush" student section. The Bengals are extremely talented, but have suffered injuries to seven different starters (and when considering some starts two or more positions, it comes out more like 10-11) in its last two games. Last week's 21-13 win over Apex was about 20 points closer than it looked like it would be going in. Against Cary, Holly Springs played its mirror image and gave up 14 points but 152 yards to the Imps' primary back. Can the Golden Hawks have the same 'bend-but-don't-break' results against Fuquay? Not so long as Cory Hunter (1,244 yards, 16 TD's)  is running. Not to mention the excellent play from quarterback Eric Crouch — I mean Nate Budde (630 yards, 11 TD's) — who gives the Bengals an extra element they didn't have last season. I have a lot of respect for Holly Springs and that program in general. But the Bengals are for real this year. If anyone knocks off Fuquay this year, I think it'll have to be either on the road or in the playoffs.

Final verdict: Fuquay-Varina by 13

Athens Drive (4-2, 2-1) at Cary (4-3, 2-2)

How fitting that a game taking place right off Jim Valvano Drive will include three future N.C. State players? However, a little luster has been taken off this match-up since Cary moved Fre'Shad Hunter to offensive line. I hoped to see Hunter go against the massive Rob Crisp (also headed to NCSU) in a battle of one of the country's top defensive ends and one of the nation's top offensive lineman — but there won't be much of that Friday (so please stop yelling "Let's Go Fre'Shad!!" when the Imps are on defense -- he's #72 now). Athens has yet to translate how good they've looked on paper to the playing field (needing an extra point to beat Lee, losing by 20 to Middle Creek). Cary, led by a defense that's been stingy even without Hunter, should pose a big test for junior running back Kyree Green (1,022 yards rushing, 7.4 per carry). Athens is completing just 48 percent of its passes, and Pete Singer — the third NCSU commit — has been playing more offense with hopes of sparking the passing game. His 4.5-speed has come in handy as he had two TD receptions against Lee. In the end, I think with three running backs already over 350 yards this year, the Imps will do enough damage on the ground against Athens (see loss to Enloe) to win the game. By controlling the clock more, they'll force Athens to turn to the air, which takes the ball out of Green's hands and plays right into Cary's.

Final verdict: Cary by 9

Middle Creek (5-1, 3-0) at Lee County (2-5, 1-3)

Another week, another loss by fewer than five points for the Yellow Jackets. Give Lee County two touchdowns worth of points, and they're sitting at 5-2, 4-0. How crazy would that be? Lee had a great opportunity to get back in the win column, but a last-second field goal sailed wide against Athens. Lee appeared to have some good things going in the passing game as Carson Wilson threw for four TD's and 201 yards on 20-for-25 passing. I think the Mustangs, who are coming off a bye week, put that to bed quickly. However, Middle Creek would be unwise to think going into Paul Gay Stadium and coming out with a win would be easy — particularly after its close call with Holly Springs a few weeks back. Garrett Leatham will try to post huge numbers as he has all year (1,478 yards, 14 TD's), and the Mustangs should — key word being "should" — win this one easily..

Final verdict: Middle Creek by 18

Green Hope (0-7, 0-3) at Panther Creek (3-3, 1-2)

Brett Favre beat the Packers on Monday. Now Kameron Bryant gets his shot. Bryant transferred to Panther Creek from Green Hope after being named to the Tri-Eight honorable mention list as a sophomore quarterback. The junior surely hasn't regretted the decision now that he's one of the area's top passers with no shortage of weapons on offense. I worry some about Panther Creek's defense. They've allowed season-high point totals to Apex (22) and Fuquay-Varina (52) in two of the past three weeks. Green Hope is capable of putting up points in the passing game, as shown in last week's loss to Cary. Quarterback Will Nassif threw for 201 yards — 183 of them going to wideout Blake Scott. If Green Hope collects more than three scores, PC will be in need of some help to make it through the rest of its schedule. Green Hope's losing streak has now reached 23. But don't worry Falcon fans, you're far from the state record — 59 straight losses by the now-defunct Gumberry High. 

Final verdict: Panther Creek by 21