It’ll be in a different venue and with a scrambled schedule, but high school football will return to Burke County when Freedom hosts Northwestern 3A/4A Conference opponent Alexander Central this Friday at Patton High School in Â鶹´«Ã½.
The Patriots were supposed to start NWC play at Hibriten on Oct. 4 and host the Cougars for Senior Night at FHS on Nov. 1, but the impact of Hurricane Helene has changed all of that. Instead, with Freedom’s stadium on the mend after significant flooding and all conference games for Week 7 postponed, the Patriots will entertain Alexander Central on the other side of town on Friday.
The Patriots lead Alexander Central 29-8 all-time, but fell 35-7 to end the season in Taylorsville last fall.
The last time Freedom (3-2) was on the field, it played arguably its best game of the season with a 63-13 nonconference thrashing of visiting Chase on Sept. 20. Junior quarterback Kaden Davis accounted for six touchdowns against the Trojans, finishing 7 of 9 for 234 yards and three TDs to Kobe Johnson (53 yards), Tiras Walker (66) and Justice Dominguez (61) while also cashing in on three short rushing touchdowns of 1, 6 and 1 yards as part of a 72-yard night on the ground. Cam Brown (15 and 5 yards) and Ian Clark (26) also had rushing TDs for FHS.
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Alexander Central finished the nonconference portion of its schedule with a 2-3 record, winning versus Wilkes Central 54-14 and at North Iredell 28-19 while losing versus Statesville 36-21, at Burns 28-7 and versus Sun Valley 42-10.
ACHS is led by junior rushers Jeremiah Whitaker (51-479-4) and Sawyer Chapman-Mays (59-232-5). Senior quarterback Wade Queen has completed 20 of 42 passes for 230 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions while running 28 times for 154 yards and two scores. His favorite target is senior Garison Millsaps (6-115-1).
Prediction: Freedom.
East Burke (1-3, 0-1) at Bunker Hill (4-1, 2-0)
The Cavaliers will travel to Claremont for a Catawba Valley 2A Conference game following the two-week, hurricane-imposed break while the Bears were able to play last week, winning 35-21 at league foe West Lincoln.
Bunker Hill leads the series 9-2, including a 28-6 victory in Icard one season ago.
EBHS was last on the field for its CVAC-opener at Maiden on Sept. 20, a 43-6 loss. The Cavs are led by running backs Zayne Newman (63-161-1) and Darren Hammons (20-137-1), quarterback Carter Bennett (29 of 65, 243 yards, TD) and receiver Cannon Morrison (6-60-1).
The Bears’ offense is more robust, led by senior running back Jason Willis Jr. (92-934-13). Junior quarterback Eli Davis-Helms has completed 29 of 50 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns to a receiving corps led by senior Jaylan Willis (17-267-2), who also has rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
Prediction: Bunker Hill.
Draughn’s plan uncertain
As of press time, the Wildcats (3-2, 1-0 Western Highlands 1A/2A Conf.) were uncertain to resume play in a conference whose communities were hit very hard by the storm. Coach Chris Powell said his team might play Madison on Friday, but nothing was confirmed.
DHS’ original schedule called for a trip to Marshall this week.