The Rivalry Week Playoff Shake Up + Championship Week Preview

The Rivalry Week Playoff Shake Up + Championship Week Preview

By: Zack Adams

11/30/17

The final week of the College Football regular season can be dubbed as “Rivalry Week”. All of the local in-state rivalries battle it our for different, yet unusual trophies, belts, statues, and good ‘ole bragging rights. With the 2018 College Football Playoff looming, teams who are in the top four are defending their spots while the couple of teams on the outside looking in are vying to continue to win football games and hope for upsets in the top four and on this “Rivalry Week”, two of the top four teams went down.

The Iron Bowl “upset”?

The then 11-0 Alabama Crimson Tide traveled to Jordan-Hare Stadium to battle in state rival, Auburn. Auburn came into the Iron Bowl at 9-2, only two losses were to #2 Clemson (6-14) and LSU (23-27). This game was winner take all. Whoever won, takes the SEC West and will face Georgia next Saturday in Atlanta. With that being said, Auburn earned their second win over the #1 team in the country, second in three weeks, by downing Alabama 26-14. Jarrett Stidham and Kerryon Johnson had themselves a game for the Tigers. Stidham threw for 237 yards on the day, while Johnson ran 30 times, totaling 104 yards and a touchdown. The Auburn defense shut down Jalen Hurts and the Alabama offense. The Tigers out possessed the Crimson Tide by 13 minutes, and that’s not normal for a Nick Saban coached team. Now does Alabama’s loss shake up the Playoff rankings? Auburn came into the 2017 Iron Bowl ranked #6 while Alabama stood at the top of the committee's’ rankings at one. With Auburn now advancing to the SEC Championship game Saturday in Atlanta (saying they do not get in the top four this week), will get another chance to impress the committee later this week. As for Alabama, they do not get that chance. With a weak SOS (strength of schedule) for the Crimson Tide, are 30+ point victories over SEC bottom feeders enough to keep the in?

What turnover chain? *PITT probably..?*

It was truly a “Black Friday” or a “Thanksgiving Hangover” for Miami fans Friday afternoon. The #2 ranked Hurricanes brought a 10-0 record into Heinz Field to face Pittsburgh, a 4-7 team playing in their “bowl game” so they came in with absolutely nothing to lose. With that being said, Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers came to play and Mark Richt’s Hurricanes were either jet lagged, still full from Thanksgiving dinner, or something; because Miami did not look like the #2 team in the country on Friday. The Canes offense looked stagnant, being held to only 45 yards on the ground to go along with Malik Rosier’s 44% passing day. The turnover chain was only broke out once on Saturday, which has been a huge spark DC’s Manny Diaz’ defense. Pittsburgh has had quarterback trouble this year. Going through USC transfer Max Browne (season ending shoulder injury) and Ben DiNucci’s passing struggles forced Narduzzi to name freshman Kenny Pickett the starter for Week 13, and he performed. Pickett threw for 193 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 13 times for 60 yards and two scores. Pickett’s three total touchdowns, including his 22 yard scamper with 3:03 to play led PITT to hand Miami their first loss of the season. Another note, coming into this game, Malik Rosier had not lost a game as a college starter (11-0) until last Friday. Going into Saturday’s ACC Championship game in Charlotte (see preview below), Rosier will be 11-1 in his career as a Hurricanes starter.

This Past Week in the ACC

Friday 11/24/17:

#2 Miami (FL) 14 (10-1) Pittsburgh 24 (5-7)

#25 Virginia Tech 10 (9-3) Virginia 0 (6-6)

Saturday 11/25/17:

Louisville 44 (8-4) Kentucky 17 (7-5)

Florida State 38 (5-6) Florida 22 (4-7)

#7 Georgia 38 (11-1) Georgia Tech 7 (5-6)

Boston College 42 (7-5) Syracuse 14 (4-8)

Duke 31 (6-6) Wake Forest 23 (7-5)

North Carolina 21 (3-9) NC State 33 (8-4)

#3 Clemson 34 (11-1) #24 South Carolina 10 (8-4)

Weekend Headlines/Notes:

• Down goes Miami… does it weaken ACC Championship hype at all?
• Virginia Tech shuts out Virginia and holds them to five, yes FIVE rushing yards
• Duke is going bowling! 31-23 comeback win in Winston-Salem allows the Blue Devils to go bowling for the fifth time in six years
• Lamar Jackson accounts for 372 total yards in revenge game, and win at Kentucky
• Is Boston College legit? Have now won five of their last six
• Clemson steamrolls South Carolina behind two Hunter Renfrow touchdowns
• The ACC goes 3-1 vs SEC opponents this year on “Rivalry Week” (has not lost ACC vs SEC weekend since 2013)

Conference Championship Previews

PAC-12:

Stanford traveled to USC in the second week of the season and got pounded by the Trojans, 42-24. This Friday, the two meet again and this time, it’s at Levi’s Stadium where the Pac-12 Championship will be on the line. It’ll be a new look Stanford Cardinal team than it was in Week 2. KJ Costello is now Stanford’s starting quarterback after he started the season as the third string guy, replaced both Keller Chryst and Ryan Burns in the UCLA game earlier this season and started the rest of the way. Costello has thrown for 1,169 yards to go along with 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on the season. Heisman favorite, Bryce Love only rushed for 160 yards against SC’s defense in the second week of the season. Love has found the end zone 16 times on the season and has had a 300+ yard performer this season (vs Arizona State). A week ago against Notre Dame’s solid rush defense, Love totaled 125 yards on 20 carries. It’s Love’s last chance to impress Heisman voters Friday and do it on a national stage so the Wake Forest High School grad will look to do so in Santa Clara Friday. USC quarterback Sam Darnold started off the season slow, throwing eight interceptions in his first five games but has settled in and been gaining his draft stock back. Darnold has thrown for 3,462 yards on the seasons with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Not only will Love be an impact on the ground for Stanford, but USC has a weapon of their own. Junior back Ronald Jones II. Jones II has ran for 1,346 yards to go along with 16 touchdowns. A College Football Playoff spot may not be on the line, but it’ll be a fun one Friday out West when #21 Stanford battles #11 USC.

Friday (12/1/17) at 8:00 on ESPN

Levi’s Stadium… Santa Clara, CA

Line: USC -4.0

BIG 12:

Jerry’s World will get a treat Saturday afternoon. It’ll be the first Big 12 Football Championship game since 2010 (Oklahoma beat Nebraska 23-20) when #12 TCU meets #4 Oklahoma. The Sooners will be defending a Playoff spot Saturday so they’ll look to have another big day from Heisman front runner, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is having a sensational senior season in Norman. He has thrown for 4,097 yards, 37 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. In the Sooners 38-20 win over TCU on Nov. 11, Mayfield totaled 333 yards to go along with 3 touchdown passes.

Rodney Anderson is also having a great year in the ground for the Sooners. Anderson has rushed for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. But if anyone has an answer for Baker Mayfield and their name is not Deshaun Watson, it’s got to be Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill. Hill has thrown for 2,604 yards and has 19 touchdowns on the season. Like Mayfield, Hill has only thrown 5 interceptions on the season. Hill did not play his best game on Nov. 11th so he will look to bounce back Saturday and crush Mayfield and the Sooners’ College Football Playoff hopes.

Saturday (12/2/17) at 12:30 on FOX

AT&T Stadium… Arlington, Texas

Line: Oklahoma -7.0

SEC:

The last time Georgia and Auburn stepped on the field at the same time, it was at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 11. Auburn pounded the then #1 Bulldogs, 40-17. Jarrett Stidham tossed three touchdowns on 214 yards. Kerryon Johnson out rushed Georgia as a whole team by himself, 167 yards to 46 yards. But in the Iron Bowl last Saturday, Johnson injured his right shoulder in the second half. Auburn expects the back, who has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing on the season (1276 total yards), would be a huge loss for the Tiger offense. Freshman Jake Fromm has been tested a lot this season. Saturday will be the fourth time Fromm has met a ranked this season and this will be the third time on the road (neutral site in this case). On the bright side for Fromm, the SEC Championship game will be played in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which is an hour and a half from Athens. Fromm replaced Jacob Eason (who started all of last year) in the opener, 31-10 win over Appalachian State, after Eason sprained his left knee. Nick Chubb has a bigger and better offensive line that an year ago that have helped him also eclipse 1,000 yards on the season (1098) to go along with 13 touchdowns. Both teams with a win, can clinch a berth in the 2018 College Football Playoff. Can Georgia get revenge and do so, or will Auburn beat another top ten team and extend their five game win streak?

Saturday (12/2/17) at 4:00 on CBS

Mercedes-Benz Stadium… Atlanta, Georgia

Line: Auburn -2.5

ACC:

With Miami’s loss on the road to Pittsburgh last Friday, a lot less is on the line in the 2017 Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship game. A week ago, both Miami and Clemson were sitting at two and three respectively. Pittsburgh downed the Canes 24-14 to drop them five spots to #7 this week. Alabama and Miami’s losses jumped Clemson up to number one following the 34-10 thrashing of in state rival, South Carolina on the road. Since Clemson’s 27-24 loss at Syracuse (without Kelly Bryant for most of that game), the Tigers are outscoring opponents 188-68 in the five games since that Friday night defeat. The talk of the offseason was “Who and how would Clemson replace one of their all time great quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson?”. The answer, junior Kelly Bryant. Bryant was the backup to Watson in both seasons the Tigers went to the College Football Playoff National Championship, obviously winning the title last year beating Alabama, 35-31. Kelly Bryant has thrown for 2,426 yards and has scored 22 total touchdowns (12 passing, 10 rushing). With Bryant, Clemson has used the “three headed monster” montra on the ground. Bryant, Travis Etienne, and Tavien Feaster has combined for 1,996 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. With Wayne Gallman also departing following the National Championship victory, this is a huge plus as well for the Tiger offense. Miami ran the table up until the loss a week ago. A lot of adversity came with the loss of Mark Walton, who underwent ankle surgery after the Hurricanes 24-20 victory over Florida State. Travis Homer has stepped up in his place running for 861 yards and seven scores. Like Bryant, Malik Rosier had to replace a veteran starter, Brad Kaaya. Rosier has scored 30 total touchdowns (25 pass, 5 rush) this season to go along with 2,807 through the air. His favorite target, senior Braxton Berrios. Berrios has caught 45 passes for 583 yards and he has caught nine of Rosier’s 25 passing touchdowns. Miami’s “turnover chain” has been broke out 26 times on the season. Manny Diaz and his defense have been playing on a whole different level this season. Will Venables on the other hand, also has the Clemson defense playing great and maybe even better than a season ago when they won the National Championship. The last time these two met, Clemson pounded the Canes 58-0 in 2015. Can Miami avenge that loss and further shake up the Playoff, or will Clemson stay hot and do away with Mark Richt and the Hurricanes? We’ll find out Saturday night in prime time in Charlotte.

Saturday (12/2/17) at 8:00 on ABC
Bank of America Stadium.... Charlotte, NC
Line: Clemson -9.5

BIG TEN:

Both the Buckeyes and Badgers have a chance to make the 2018 College Football Playoff but they must get the job done in Indianapolis Saturday night to earn that birth. Wisconsin comes into the Big 10 Championship undefeated. Ohio State’s only Big 10 defeat came at the hands of Iowa, who beat the Buckeyes 55-24 in Iowa City. Wisconsin downed the Hawkeyes 38-14 on Nov. 11. That 31 point defeat is why many critics say that even with a Big 10 Championship victory, Ohio State should still be left out of the Top 4. Both teams successful seasons have primarily came down to the run game. Both team’s leading rushers are freshmen. Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 1,806 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season for Wisconsin, while J.K. Dobbins has not “been kidding”, J.K., just kidding, had to include that one but he has ran for 1,190 and seven touchdowns himself. Through the air, both J.T. Barrett and Austin Hornibrook have struggled at different points this season. The two teams starters have combined for 20 interceptions. With Wisconsin’s Big 10 West being “weaker” than the Buckeyes’ East, many think Ohio State can come in and possibly do what they did in “The Horseshoe” on Nov. 11 vs Michigan State and also beat the Badgers by six scores (OSU 45-3). A lot will be on the line for sure Saturday. Ohio State have found their way into all three previous College Football Playoffs. A win Saturday and a potential birth will make the Buckeyes the only team to have qualified for all four of the Playoffs since Alabama lost Saturday.

Saturday (12/2/17) at 8:00 on FOX
Lucas Oil Stadium.... Indianapolis, IN
Line: Wisconsin +6.5

That’s a wrap on “Rivalry Week”. Now it’s time to see who will defend or earn their spot in the 2017 College Football Playoff in this weekend’s conference championship games. Thanks for reading!

Corinth Holders and Princeton split Varisty doubleheader

Corinth Holders and Princeton split Varisty doubleheader

11/28/17

By: Zack Adams

Corinth Holders (4A) took the 35 minute bus ride to 1A county foe, Princeton Tuesday night. Both Princeton varsity squads were coming off losses at home to Midway Monday night. Corinth Holders varisty squads each came in at 0-2 but with the split, one of the teams in purple and gold stepped off the court at Deacon Jones Gymnasium the victory.

Corinth Holders @ Princeton GBB:

Corinth Holders (1-2) picked up their first varisty win of the season Tuesday, 44-28, over Princeton (2-3). Junior guard Mikalya Thompson scorched the Bulldog defense in the first half scoring 14 points, including a personal 8-0 run late in the second quarter. She finished with 14 while adding four rebounds and 3 assist. Freshman Crawford Ramsey chimmed in on scoring, finishing with 10 points to go along with six rebounds. The Pirates pulled away in the third quarter after only being up 7 at the half (26-19) by Pirates guard Deonna Adams scoring all of her six points in this frame and by outscoring Princeton 11-4. For Princeton, senior Emily Ricks hit double figures as she scored 10 and grabbed five rebounds. A "moral victory" for Coach Wooten's Bulldogs had to be out rebounding the bigger and taller Pirates, winning that rebound battle 28-26. The two teams will square off December 6th in Wendell as Princeton will look to avenge this 16 point defeat and will look to find a way to shut down the Pirates' runs, which they went on three 6+ point runs, next Wednesday when the two meet again.

Corinth Holders @ Princeton BBB:

Big Sean said it best. "Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back." After falling 75-64 Monday to Midway, that had to be the motto for Ryan Woodard and the Princeton Bulldogs (2-3). Tonight, Princeton downed Corinth Holders (0-3), 58-55. Ryan Woodard finished with a double-double for the Bulldogs, having 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Not only did Woodard do it from the floor, he shot a perfect 5/5 from the foul line and he came up clutch by scoring 9/20 in the fourth. Woodard would get help. Princeton started slow as 10 of their first 15 points (shot 20/30 on the night from the charity stripe) came from the foul line but both Lamarr Wilkins and Garrett Klein would add 11 each to the scoring. Klein drained two big threes in the third which would prove to be huge down the stretch. Warren Ramsey led the Pirates in scoring for the third straight game, this time scoring 16 points on three made threes. Ramsey now averages 17.6 a game on the season. Freshman Sam Tilton did add a spark off the bench for Coach Davis and the Pirates. Tilton scored 12 points total in the ballgame, 10 of which coming in the second quarter on 2/3 shooting from three point range. Speaking of three point range, like the saying goes, "you can either live or die by the three." and for the Pirates tonight, they died by the three. Corinth Holders shot 27% from three point distance on the evening (9/33) and the final shot (see link below) was the tell all story from how the night went shooting for the guys in black and purple. Very frustrating night for the Pirates but like Princeton did Tuesday, Corinth Holders will have a chance to bounce back and down a rival for their first win of the season later this week.

Speaking of future opponents, Princeton has another home game Friday with a varsity double header against rival, North Johnston. Corinth Holders will be back in action on the road Friday with a Quad at Clayton. Varsity Girls are scheduled to tip off at 6:30 and Varsity Boys to follow at 8:00 but with Quad's, you just never know. Full coverage of that one will be coming Friday on both my Twitter (@xzadamsx) where I'll be live tweeting stats and updates and following the varisty games, another story on this blog. Thanks for reading!

LINK TO FINAL SHOT OF BOYS GAME:

https://twitter.com/xzadamsx/status/935692451876098048

Kavon Ward scores 35 in Smithfield-Selma’s 10 point victory over Corinth Holders

Corinth Holders @ Smithfield-Selma Game Recaps

11/21/17

By: Zack Adams

Smithfield-Selma took both games of the varsity double header tonight in both Smithfield-Selma’s and Corinth Holders’ final game before Thanksgiving/Fall break. Both the Spartans and Pirates used to be Two Rivers 3A conference rivals, this time meeting in non conference action following the reclassifications that took place this past summer.

Girls Basketball:

Corinth Holders 50 Smithfield-Selma 53

It became chippy late between the Pirates and Spartans, but Smithfield-Selma (1-1, game v Hobbton not reported) pulled out the three point victory over Corinth Holders (0-2). The Lady Spartans were sparked behind 32 points off the bench, led by Leane Poyet with 12 andJalyn Reddick with 10. Smithfield-Selma outscored Corinth Holders 32-18 off the bench, which ultimately was the catalyst to the three point victory. Corinth Holders junior guard Mikayla Thompson missed Friday’s 47-42 loss to Franklinton with a left ankle injury which she suffered in the Louisburg scrimmage a week prior to the season. Thompson returned tonight and she scored 10 points off the bench for Coach Lee and the Pirates. Shanan Hester also had 10 for the Pirates, six of which came in the first half. The goal for Corinth Holders on the defensive end was to shut down the Spartans senior point guard, Logan Lee. Lee averaged 17.5 PPG a year ago, averaging 12.5 for her career and she torched the Pirates a year ago with one 22 point outing and two 20 point performances against the Pirates so sophomore guard Deonna Adams was in a box and one against Lee and only held her to six points on the evening. Smithfield-Selma will travel to Hobbton next Tuesday for the second game in the team’s home and home matchups this season. Corinth Holders goes on the road once again next Tuesday as they’ll travel to Princeton.

Boys Basketball:

Corinth Holders 71 Smithfield-Selma 81

It’s Kavon Ward’s world and we are all just living in it. Smithfield-Selma’s (2-1) senior guard scored 35 tonight, on 13 of 17 shooting from the field, six of eight from three. 22 of his 35 came in the first half as he single handily equaled Corinth Holders (0-2) first half total in points (43-22 SSS at halftime). To go along with Ward’s 35, junior backcourt mate, Anthony Council added 15 and wing Terrance Altman scored 10 and grabbed 8 rebounds. Corinth Holders won the second half, 48-38 and were led by Warren Ramsey’s 22 points and three boards. Ramsey shot 5/12 beyond the arc and 17 of his 22 came in half number two. Junior Cameron Walden bounced back from his six point performance last Friday in the Pirates 64-55 loss to Franklinton with a near double-double, 21 points and 9 rebounds. The big question mark for Corinth Holders going forward will be three point shooting (shot 6/22 this evening) and coming out strong in the first half. In both games this season, the Pirates have been out scored by a combined, 77-45 at halftime while out scoring opponents 81-68 in the second half. Smithfield-Selma will travel to Hobbton following fall break (Tuesday), the teams met last Friday where the Spartans won 63-40. Corinth Holders hits the road for the third time this season Tuesday as well to meet 1A county foe, Princeton, who are currently 1-1 on the season.

Coverage of both the Corinth Holders girls and boys varsity games vs Princeton next Tuesday will be posted live during the game with quarter by quarter tweets on my account, @xzadamsx, then stories to follow! Thanks for reading!

Corinth Holders and Rolesville battle it out in the final week of the HS Football regular season

Corinth Holders @ Rolesville Preview
By: Zack Adams

11-3-17

7:00 @ Rolesville High School

Corinth Holders (3-6)

         vs

Rolesville (3-7)

Regardless of tonight’s result, both the Pirates and Rams seasons will be coming to a close. Corinth Holders (3-6, 1-3 NAC-VI) were blown out in the second half a week ago by Knightdale, 42-19, behinds two scores from Knights wide receiver Josh Davidson. Rolesville (3-7, 1-3 NAC-VI) traveled to Heritage last week and like many, were thrashed by Coach Washington and the Huskies, 55-6. With both teams on the outside looking in of the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs, a win tonight is all about finishing the season on a high note and sending off your seniors, or the Class of 2018, out on top to conclude their high school careers.

Stat Leaders:

CHHS *no stats available*

Passing - Landen Leiser (Sr)

Rushing - Lamont Weathers (Sr)

Receiving - Sam Carlson (Sr)

RHS

Passing - Rasron Amon 9/30 268 yds 2 TD INT

Rushing - Kishawn Bobbitt 18 carries 149 yds

Receiving - Cameron Moore 11 rec 208 yds

Familiar Foe

Corinth Holders’ quarterback Landen Leiser is a transfer from Clayton, former conference rival of Rolesville. The Rams defense should be familiar with Leiser, even though the last time Leiser played against Rolesville was his sophomore year due to injury last season (missing their meeting on October 28th of 2016 where Rolesville won 13-7). In the 2015 meeting, Rolesville got the road win over Clayton, 23-14. Leiser finished 12/28 223 yds 2 TD with an INT. Even though the Pirates are not pass heavy, Leiser will be going against a Rams defense who have struggled against the pass this season against teams like Heritage, with Gunnar Holmberg, or Garner, with Nolan McLean; Leiser should look to have a field day with the Rolesville secondary to conclude his high school football career tonight.

Conference Bragging Rights

The new NAC-VI has not been too “kind” to the Pirates and Rams. Both teams come into tonight’s contest at 1-3 on the year and are both vying for fourth place in the conference. The three schools above them: Wake Forest, Heritage, and Knightdale, will more than likely be playing past Week 12 into the Playoffs. Tonight is all about bragging rights, who concludes their season with a victory? Who picks up their fourth victory? The answer to both of those questions will be answered this evening.

Pirates Running Attack

The Pirates will look to establish the run game once again tonight. With Mike Darden no longer available for the Pirates, seniors Seamus Brennan and Lamont Weathers takeover the running back duties for Coach Williams and the Pirates. Two weeks ago in Corinth’s 21-7 victory over Wakefield, Seamus Brennan found paydirt three times on the road on October 20th. On senior night last week, Lamont Weathers scored twice for the Pirates vs Knightdale. Rolesville has struggled to stop the run in conference play. In the Rams 42-6 loss to Wake Forest, the Cougars ran for 120 yards and scored four touchdowns. A week ago against Heritage, Ricky Person ran for 200 yards and two scores. Heritage totaled 241 yards as a team. So Weathers and Brennan look to add to the now two week skid for Rolesville’s rush defense and put up big numbers in the final games of their high schools careers.

Can the Pirates stop Kishawn Bobbitt?

The Rams needed players to replace the 2015 duo of quarterback Carnaji Andrews and receiver Colby Cooper. Kishawn Bobbitt has been that guy this season for the Rams out of the backfield. Leading Rolesville in rush and all purpose yards on the season. Like Rolesville, the Corinth Holders defense has struggled to stop the run. Ricky Person (Heritage) ran 23 times for 243 yards and found the end zone three times. Devon Lawrence (Wake Forest) ran 4 times for 62 yards with two scores when he faced the Pirates. If the last five weeks have meant anything in branding this Pirates defense, it's that number one running backs navigate through the front seven and explode for touchdowns against Corinth Holders. That's what Kishawn Bobbitt hopes to do this evening.

It's Week 12 and both Corinth Holders and Rolesville will more than likely not see the field again until next fall after tonight. Kickoff is set for 7:00 at Rolesville High for the final game of the season for these two sides. A lot of pride is to play for tonight and you don't want to miss it.