Knightdale @ Corinth Holders Preview
Knightdale (4-5)
vs
Corinth Holders (3-5)
7:00 ~ 10/27/17
A big NAC-VI game will be going down Friday night in Wendell. Knightdale (4-5, 1-2 NAC-VI) travels to Wendell to play Corinth Holders (3-5, 1-2 NAC-VI) where a possible 4A State Playoff spot will be on the line. A week ago, the Ricky Person-less Heritage Huskies blanked Knightdale, 28-0. The Huskies totaled 415 yards of total offense on the Knights, as oppose Knightdale’s 186. Corinth Holders stayed perfect on the road with their 21-7 victory over Wakefield. Pirates running back/linebacker Seamus Brennan found paydirt three times for Corinth a week ago. The first meeting between these two schools on the gridiron will mean a lot for who earn a 4A State Playoff berth. Who will grab their second NAC-VI victory of the season? We’ll find out Friday in Wendell.
Team Leaders:
Knightdale:
Passing - Kenny McCray (Sr) 33/59 410 yds 0 TD 5 INT
Rushing - Lewis Richardson (Fr) 141 att 910 yds 5 TD
Receiving - Josh Davidson (Sr) 12 rec 172 yds
Corinth Holders: *no stats available*
Passing - Landen Leiser (Sr)
Rushing - Sean Fields (Jr)
Receiving - Sam Carlson (Sr)
Can the Knights’ Freshman back find paydirt on the road?
Knightdale has finally found their running back. Lewis Richardson, a freshman, is head coach Anthony Timmons “go to guy” on the ground. A year ago, the Knights finished 2-9 and struggled to pass the ball, but especially run the ball. Richardson averages 114 yards per game, and 6.5 yards per carry on the season. In a 31-28 overtime loss to Athens Drive at home, Richardson found the end zone a career high, three times for 152 yards. Richardson’s best game (for rushing yards) was a week prior in a 23-21 win over Broughton where he ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson running the ball becomes key for the Pirates defense due to the fact that they’ve struggled to stop the run this season. Against team’s top rushers in games they have lost, here’s how the Pirates have stacked up:
South Johnston - Heze Bailey 127 carries 645 yards 6 TD -- 11 carries 38 yards
Clayton - Trevaun Richardson 142 carries 992 yards 19 TD -- 15 carries 39 yards TD
Cleveland - Tyson Dew 212 carries 1430 yards 15 TD -- 24 carries 114 yards 2 TD
Heritage - Ricky Person 163 carries 1673 yards 28 TD -- 23 carries 243 yards 3 TD
Wake Forest - Devon Lawrence 102 carries 762 yards 19 TD -- 4 carries 62 yards 2 TD
A big key for the Pirates is to limit Lewis Richardson’s yards and scores, and not add another number one running back to this five man list.
Pirates, walking the plank?
Following losses to Heritage and Wake Forest, the Pirates seem to be on a downhill spiral. Corinth Holders’ leading rusher, Mike Darden is no longer on the team which leaves junior Sean Fields and senior Seamus Brennan to carry the load for Corinth’s offense. Landen Leiser’s targets to pass to are also dwindling. The Pirates are not a pass heavy offense, but when they do pass tonight and possibly next week vs Rolesville, they’ll be without leading receiver Cole Canterbury due to a concussion. 2 big losses for the Pirates offense, can someone step up and lead the Pirates to their first home victory of the season?
2 Transfers at Quarterback
Both the Knights and Pirates have transfers starting at quarterback. Knightdale senior Kenny McCray transferred from fellow 4A school, Millbrook. McCray passed for 762 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 11 games last year for the Wildcats. Landen Leiser, Corinth Holders’ quarterback, transferred from county rival, Clayton. Clayton moved from 4A down to 3A with this year’s new classifications so staying in 4A as a member of the Pirates as oppose to Comets have been little change for Leiser. In two seasons starting at Clayton, Leiser threw for 3,116 yards with 35 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Both McCray and Leiser transferred from 4A schools, but the NAC-VI is a whole different “animal” with two of the North Carolina’s best, Wake Forest and Heritage, sitting at the top of the standings. It’s been a struggle for both quarterbacks this season, which will most benefit their team tonight and pick up their second conference victory of the season?
Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs?
Jim Mora will not be walking the sidelines Friday for either Knightdale or Corinth Holders, but a win for either side will further boost their playoff resumes. Knightdale has competed with two 4A caliber playoff teams this season, Athens Drive and Fuquay-Varina. The Knights fell 31-28 to the Jaguars in OT and dropped a 17-14 decision at home to the Bengals. The Knights held Heritage to 28 points a week ago, tying the Huskies season low (vs Sanderson, 28-7), but Heritage did not have NC State commit Ricky Person on the field a week ago. Two of Corinth Holders three wins have came against then winless opponents. Smithfield-Selma, who is now 1-8, fell to the Pirates 46-3 and the Pirates grabbed their third road win of the season last week at now 0-9 Wakefield, 21-7. No matter the “strength of schedule” or wins vs high caliber opponents, the Pirates’ three wins have all came on the road this season. All five losses have came to Playoff teams at both the 3A and 4A classifications. South Johnston (13-12), Clayton (42-7), Cleveland (34-27), Heritage (48-8), and Wake Forest (54-13). Tonight’s result will without a doubt make or break one team’s playoff case. Whose “bubble” will burst tonight in Wendell”? Come out to Corinth Holders High School tonight for a big one. The opening kickoff is set for 7:00.
