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Nick Stevens

Nick's Triangle Top Ten: Week 1

By Nick Stevens
Aug 24, 2008

Nick Stevens, High School OT

Nick Stevens, High School OT

Well, after a week of some surprises, I've done some tweaking to my Triangle Top Ten.

1. Wake Forest-Rolesville (1) - What can I say? They scored 71-points, they allowed 14. This is the best team in the Triangle, and one of the most complete in the state.

  • LAST GAME: Win vs. Riverside, 71-14.
  • NEXT GAME: vs. East Wake

2. Millbrook (4) - The Wildcats' win over the Trojans was convincing. Hardly anyone beats Garner at home, and no one shuts them out. In fact, it was the first time this has happened to Nelson Smith. Another complete team out of the Cap Seven.

  • LAST GAME: Win @ Garner, 34-0
  • NEXT GAME: vs. Knightdale

3. Southeast Raleigh (3) - Good comeback win over New Hanover. The Bulldogs still need to get some more experience, but they're on the right track. I think this is the best team in the Greater Neuse River Conference.

  • LAST GAME: Win @. New Hanover, 27-20
  • NEXT GAME: vs. Northern Vance

4. Southern Durham (2) - The loss to Mount Tabor dropped Southern two spots, but I think this is still a very good team. Mount Tabor is going to be a very good team this year as well, and someone has to lose (unless you're Richmond and New Bern).

  • LAST GAME: Loss @ Mount Tabor, 37-26
  • NEXT GAME: vs. Hertford County

5. Hillside (8) - I think I may have underestimated this team. We knew Hillside was very good in the backfield, but their supporting cast was my concern. Concerned no more, this is a team capable of winning the conference.

  • LAST GAME: Win vs. Southern Vance, 35-0
  • NEXT GAME: @ Warren County

6. Apex (6) - Quality win over Holly Springs. Apex will be good offensively, but lets watch their defense...

  • LAST GAME: Win vs. Holly Springs, 35-24
  • NEXT GAME: vs. Broughton

7. Jordan (7) - The Falcons are on the verge of moving up the poll. Jordan got a quality road win at North Davidson, and they will go on the road again Friday to Green Hope.

  • LAST GAME: Win @ North Davidson, 21-17
  • NEXT GAME: @ Green Hope

8. Broughton (9) - The Caps went to Cary and made a statement. Broughton is not the same Broughton they were last year, and head coach Chris Martin is ready to compete for a conference title.

  • LAST GAME: Win @ Cary, 42-21
  • NEXT GAME: @ Apex

9. Northern Durham (NR) - Another convincing win from the opening week. Northern Durham handed it to Middle Creek, scoring 33 unanswered points to win big. How the Knights do in the next three weeks will tell a lot about this team.

  • LAST GAME: Win vs. Middle Creek, 41-15
  • NEXT GAME: @ Grimsley

10. Garner (5) - Despite their big loss to Millbrook, I still think Garner belongs in the Triangle Top Ten. The Trojans will be much more balanced on offense when Josh Brooks returns, and I think they're misfortune in turnovers and penalties will be ironed out by Nelson Smith in practice this week.

  • LAST GAME: Loss vs. Millbrook, 34-0
  • NEXT GAME: @ Middle Creek
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COMMENTS

21 Comments


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They're called last-minute picks for a reason... They'll be up tonight since we have Thursday night games.
Nick Stevens
August 27, 2008 7:26 p.m.
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Where's this weeks picks, Nicks?
humbay62
August 27, 2008 4:02 p.m.
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Southern Cal,

I don't want to speak for them, but I think they are considering not only the constant coaching changes, but also the fact that Wakefield is 11-12 over the prior 2 seasons. And remember, the non-conference schedule isn't that great for Wakefield. Now the conference schedule, that's insane.

We'll see how they do this year. Just to put their GH win in perspective, Wakefield beat GH 32-0 last season. Obviously that doesn't translate over season-by-season perfectly, but it is something to think about. Wakefield is a team to watch.
Nick Stevens
August 27, 2008 12:48 p.m.
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I'm trying to understand why Wakefield is viewed so lowly. Is it because of the coaching carousel? They had a poor start of the game against Green Hope with 4 turnovers and 2 touchdowns called back in the first half. Wilkinson had a rough start, but shows alot of promise. The fact that he is a good runner makes him a dual threat. To have that bad of a game and still win by 21 says something.
Southern Cal
August 27, 2008 11:17 a.m.
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I knwo, WFR will roll over everyone in the Cap 7. They will beat every team they play in conference and won't play a strong enough team until the state championship, or maybe not even then! They will roll on everyone, so maybe the Cap 7 teams should just forfiet thier games with them... not hardly!
humbay62
August 26, 2008 10:16 p.m.
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Yeah, the overall streak was 77 games... not to bad. No one can figure out the last time they were shut out at home. The year 1983 has been tossed around, but we can't confirm it.

That would be 25 YEARS!!!!!!!
Nick Stevens
August 26, 2008 9:02 a.m.
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Nick, I remember Garner being shut out 45-0 by Wilmington Laney in the 2001 Playoffs, but that was in Wilmington (I was there). I don't recall their last shut out at home. It's been a long time, prob over 20 years
VikingTom
August 26, 2008 6:29 a.m.
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WAKEFIELD!!!??? please!!!! we gone destroy wakefield. they our rivals. aint no way we losin to them. they beat a not that good green hope. the cap 7 is goin to be between WFR, millbrook, an broughton. leesville might do a lil something. but in the end them cougars gone make it a 3peat
mississippiboy47
August 25, 2008 9:21 p.m.
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I'll take your word for it, Nick. I stand by my saying that Leesville has a D that will demand respect! Panther Creek scored all thier points in the second half, so do you know why?? I'm not hating WFR? I have called thier program one of the best in the state! I don't see them rolling over Broughton, Millbrook, Leesville and it now looks like Wakefield! This cap7 is unbelievable!! Is Panther Creek any good this year?
humbay62
August 25, 2008 8:20 p.m.
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melofan,

There's no doubt in my mind that Jordan is a very good team this year. But keep in mind... This is probably the best year we have seen in the Triangle in some time! There are A LOT of really good teams in this area.

I will be at the Green Hope-Jordan game Friday night. So I'll get to see them first hand for the first time.

Come by and say hey... We'll be out there from 3-7 broadcasting live!
Nick Stevens
August 25, 2008 7:27 p.m.
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