Fuquay-Varina's Cory Hunter (37) ran for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' 21-19 win Thursday at Holly Springs.
Nov 13, 2008
The Tri-Eight has been looked down upon by the rest of the Triangle this season as the "down" conference, but they have a chance for redemption in the playoffs.
After appearing for weeks that the conference may only get three teams in the playoffs, the Tri-Eight ended up putting in five teams - Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Middle Creek, Cary and Athens Drive.
How many will there be left after the first round?
In most tournaments, a No. 16 win in the first round isn't even considered to be in the realm of possibility, but Terry Sanford comes in as a dangerous team, and if Fuquay-Varina takes them lightly, the Bulldogs may come away with the major upset.
Terry Sanford scores points in every game, but their defense is their weakness. Using players like Kyle Canfield and Cory Hunter, Fuquay-Varina should be able to break big plays against this Terry Sanford squad, but the Fuquay-Varina defense must come ready to play. The Bulldogs have a big-sized quarterback with a strong arm, but he can also take the ball on the ground.
To advance, Fuquay needs to continue doing what they've been doing. If they can string together some wins, they'll make believers.
This is probably the best game out of the Tri-Eight Conference this week. Two teams with good quarterbacks, two teams with good running backs. What will it come down to?
Probably defense.
Which team can stop the other just enough times to give their offense an advantage? And which team scores first? These are the things to look for in this one.
To read more, check out the article "West Johnston will be 'looking in the mirror' in 1st round."
Anthony Barbour is the only Middle Creek coach to lead the Mustangs to a playoff victory, and on Friday night he'll be coaching against them.
Middle Creek must stop the running game if they plan on winning this one. Smithfield-Selma is a one dimensional team, they don't pass the ball, but they can sure run it. D.J. Bunn and Justin Dixon are stud players, and defenses have a hard time bringing them down.
The Mustangs haven't had the same type of competition Smithfield-Selma has played either. The Spartans have played teams like West Johnston and Southeast Raleigh, beating the Wildcats. Smithfield-Selma also beat Chapel Hill earlier in the season.
Can the Middle Creek defense contain the Smithfield-Selma running game? We'll find out.
This one is going to be a rough one for Athens Drive. Will the Jags be able to keep up with this very athletic Southern Durham team? Probably not.
Southern Durham just needs to do what they've done all season. Score points, and play defense. The Spartans will have the edge in all areas of the game, but they shouldn't sleep on Athens Drive.
The Jaguars would love for the Spartans to come into the game disrespecting them, looking forward to a possible second round match-up with Hillside.
This will probably be a big Southern Durham win in the end, but Athens Drive should be happy that they made the playoffs as an at-large bid after losing the third place draw.
These two teams met once already this season, and Southeast Raleigh came away with the seemingly easy win, but Cary didn't let it get too far out of control.
The Imps are playing a new style of football - ball control football. Cary wants to shorten the game, they want to keep their defense off the field, and they want to force the Southeast Raleigh defense to play as much and as long as possible.
It's not secret what Cary is going to do. The Imps are going to run it. They're going to take it on the ground. Seldom will they pass the ball,
Southeast Raleigh will have the advantage here. The Bulldogs are deeper, faster and more athletic. Their offense is also capable of putting up more points.
The key for Cary will be to keep the game within seven points. The Imps won't be able to come from behind to win this one.
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