The annual Optimist Bowl is tonight with Southern Vance High School visiting Northern Vance High School for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Live analysis and play by play coverage begins on WIZS 1450 AM at 6:45. You can also listen by going to WIZS.com or with the free Tunein Radio App on your smartphone or tablet.
Jeff Jenkins announces the Grid Iron Report on Tuesdays and Fridays on WIZS. It’s part of “Sports Mayhem” with Kemp Collins at 1 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Scouting Report on Southern Vance from Jeff Jenkins:
Although their record stands at 0-2, The Raiders Offense has been effective from the beginning, scoring 22 against a strong Ravenscroft squad in their opener, and 48 against Webb last week, but without yet chalking up a win. Scoring on the ground and through the air has been pretty even. Against Ravenscroft, Southern quarterback Corey Twitty, Jr. passed for 2 TDs, both to Zamari Ellis; and Malik Boyd ran for the third score. Tyrese Henderson and Shammond Lyons both ran for 2 pt conversions. Twitty led all rushing with 105 yards (although 15 yards were called back on penalties) and Shammond Lyons ran for 94 yards (but had a 39 yard run called back).
Against Webb last week, Malik Boyd led the Raiders rushing with 159 yards on 13 carries and scored twice; Tyrese Henderson gained 100 yards and scored a TD and a 2 pt. conversion; and Lyons ran for a TD and a conversion. Twitty passed for 89 yards, including 2 touchdowns, both to Shammond Lyons. Then when Twitty was knocked out of the game early in the second half, Lyons took over at quarterback and threw a TD pass to Ellis in overtime. Lyons also attempted the essential 2 pt conversion run in overtime and was stopped short.
And so, the Raiders have scored a very respectable 35 points per game; but their defense has not been nearly as effective, allowing 46 per game.
Scouting Report on Northern Vance from Jeff Jenkins:
Thanks to the last altogether unfortunate contest with Warren County, The Vikings’ numbers are not as impressive as the Raiders. Northern Vance stands at 1-1, after Northern scoring 42 points against East Chapel Hill, and then 5 against Warren, giving them a modest 23 ½ point average – about the same as they had at the end of last season. On the other hand, the Viking defense was consistently excellent, chalking up shut-outs in both games. (Keep in mind that Warren County scored it’s 7 points against the Viking offense – on a fumble recovery and run-back).