Week 1 of the NCHSAA football season has arrived , and so has the bulletin board material for the locker rooms.
The first four weeks of the season will feature nonconference games before play begins in the All American and United 8 conferences. Pine Forest and Seventy-First are looking to four-peat as league champions.
JAMBOREE RECAP: First impressions, top performers from 2024 Cumberland County Football Jamboree
STAY UPDATED: Live updates, scores & highlights from Week 1 of high school football around Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE'S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Here’s a look at games including Cumberland County teams, and our picks for the opening week of the 2024 season.
Cape Fear at Pine Forest
Kicking off the season's coverage for the 910Preps Game of the Week, Pine Forest returns as the three-time AAC champs, but they can never seem to get over the hump against Cape Fear. Over the last 10 matchups dating back to 2013, the Colts are 9-1 over the course of those games including a 47-6 shellacking over the Trojans in last season's opener with four touchdowns from Jeremiah Melvin. And with a sturdy, experienced defense, the score may be closer than last year's but the result likely will not.
The pick: Cape Fear
Douglas Byrd at Red Springs
Douglas Byrd comes into this year's matchup looking for it's first win since the 2022 football season. Last season, they fell by a touchdown, but gave up 385 rushing yards to the Red Devils' Jackelsin Mack who returns looking to do the same.
The pick: Red Springs
Gray's Creek at E.E. Smith
Gray's Creek got off to a fast start against the Golden Bulls at home to lead 22-0 at the half. But the game nearly slipped away from the Bears after a monstrous second half from E.E. Smith. Under Coach Jon Sherman, the Bears are historically run-heavy, and the newly coached Te'vell Williams' Golden Bulls showed they are a run-stopping team in the Cumberland County Jamboree with a stout front seven. If they can get things going with freshman quarterback Quinton Nelson, an upset could brew to kick start the Te'vell Williams era at the 1800.
The pick: E.E. Smith
Jack Britt at Hoke County
Hoke gave Jack Britt all that they could handle in last year's opener in the Boneyard in a 7-0 win from a fourth-quarter score through the air from Hoke's Brandon Saunders, who is back behind center. However, with Gavin Stokes at quarterback for the Bucs and his two trusted wideouts, Jaleel Parker, and Javonte Brooks, Jack Britt will likely get the victory this year.
The pick: Jack Britt
Richmond Senior at Seventy-First
In a Week 1 heavyweight bout from two storied football programs, the Fayetteville fans are expected to get a treat — mainly in favor of Seventy-First. The Falcons are returning the three-man juggernaut in DeAndre Nance, Donavan Frederick, and Jayson Franklin who were the requisites for success in last year's 3A East title. In last year's 41-13 win in Rockingham, Frederick set the tone with two early scores. Expect him to get going early and do more of the same in Friday night's matchup.
The pick: Seventy-First
Radio: Sunny 94.3 FM/Mid-South Sports
South View at Overhills
The Tigers got all of their scoring in last season's opener from now-Shaw University running back Christian Rutledge in the blowout win. This year, they'll rely on the talent from their core Tyriq Clarida, Bobby Soles, and Rashad Dockery for answers, and likely return to Hope Mills with a win.
The pick: South View
Terry Sanford at Topsail
With a new quarterback behind center, Jacob Moore, the Bulldogs are looking to build on it's momentum that was left on the field in last year's NCHSAA playoffs as the lowest seed in the state to advance. In last season's 41-20 win over Topsail, Gaven Kraut and Asa Robinson stepped up big and were the impact players for Terry Sanford down the stretch. Expect them to make big plays again this year with the help of Izaiah Williams.
The pick: Terry Sanford
Radio: 640 AM
Westover at Seaforth
Westover has won their last three season-openers, and facing Seaforth could be a good momentum boost for the youthful Wolverines to open the year. The Wolverines are the first Fayetteville-area team to travel to Pittsboro and face the Hawks of Seaforth since the school's inception in 2021. Westover is young, but the talent is on display, especially on the defensive side of the football. Expect an easy win to kick off the Wolverines season.
The pick: Westover
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville-area high school football predictions for Week 1 of the 2024 season
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