Fayetteville-area high school football predictions for Week 2 of the 2024 season

Week 2 of the NCHSAA football season has arrived , and it's time for more bulletin board material.

Six Fayetteville-area teams will hit the road this week, with two being in-county to face familiar foes.

As United 8 and All American conference play is set to kick off in just two weeks, the season is beginning to heat up, and we'll start to know who the teams are.

The Fayetteville Observer looked at all 11 games this week, including NCISAA D-II runners-up and the only private school football team Trinity Christian, and made predictions based on physical and statistical factors.

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2024 SEASON COVERAGE: High school football in Fayetteville: Complete coverage from the 2024 season

WEEK 1 POWER RANKINGS: 910Preps Power Rankings: How do Fayetteville-area high school teams stack against each other after Week 1?

Here’s a look at games, including Cumberland County teams, and our picks for the second week of the 2024 season.

Terry Sanford at Scotland

The Bulldogs will highlight Week 2 with the 910Preps Game of the Week and stop in Laurinburg before heading home for the first time in Week 3. Junior QB Jacob Moore scored six touchdowns last week; five rushing scores in the first half, and one through the air in the second in a barnburner at Topsail. They took a loss last year at Scotland after a slow start and gave up 300 rushing yards in the game between running back tandem Zay Jones and Corheim Hasty. With Jones departing from the Fighting Scots and Hasty being the sole threat, if Terry Sanford's run defense can contain the attack, they'll be successful due to their scorching offensive weapons.

The pick: Terry Sanford

Radio: WFNC 640 AM

Jack Britt at East Forsyth

The Buccaneers were tested in the second half against Hoke County last week, but sealed the deal with a game-winning interception. They travel to Kernersville this week to take on the Eagles, and it won't be an easy task but it will prepare them for a tough United 8 schedule. If East Forsyth is its high-scoring self, it'll be a long night for the Buccaneer defense.

The pick: East Forsyth

Westover at Smithfield-Selma

Westover pulled out a defensively sound win last week at Seaforth and will likely do the same against the Spartans. Last season, the Wolverines put up 40 points on the vulnerable Smithfield-Selma defense behind a 438 total-yard performance and eight sacks on defense. Expect the Wolverines to go back home with a win to go 2-0 into Week 3.

The pick: Westover

E.E. Smith at Douglas Byrd

Douglas Byrd went on the road in Week 1 and put up 40 points in a convincing win against Red Springs for their first victory since October 2022. E.E. Smith won last year's matchup for their only nonconference win, but things look different this season. The Eagles have an experienced core and seem to have found their identity, and with that momentum, they are expected to take advantage of the Golden Bulls' inexperienced squad.

The pick: Douglas Byrd

Red Springs at Gray's Creek

The Bears took advantage of E.E. Smith's young core last week for a 49-point effort and are looking to keep up that momentum against the Red Devils at home. Gray's Creek's rushing attack is nothing to sleep on, and Red Springs is in peril in that area, giving up 305 yards on the ground against Douglas Byrd. Looking to sharpen up and gain more reps before heading into conference play, Gray's Creek should win this one comfortably.

The pick: Gray's Creek

Pine Forest at Seventy-First

While Seventy-First captured a hard-earned win against Richmond last week, Pine Forest is coming off a 44-point shutout to Cape Fear at home in a game where it had issues producing offense. That could be the biggest issue traveling across town to Loyd E. Auman Field to battle high-scoring, hard-hitting Falcons. The high-powered defense for the Falcons may have struggled in the third quarter, giving up 21 points after halftime, but they'll continue their dominant groove against the Trojans and likely go into the bye week with a win.

The pick: Seventy-First

Radio: Sunny 94.3 FM

Hoke County at South View

The Tigers struggled to put up points last week against Overhills but did a decent job of limiting points in the second half, only giving up one score in the fourth quarter. While the defense isn't the concern for Coach Rodney Brewington's squad, if the offense can't pick up the pace and put points on the board to outscore Brandon Saunders and company, the Tigers could drop to 0-2 for the first time since the 2022 season where they began 0-4.

The pick: Hoke County

North Wake at Trinity Christian

Trinity Christian had a bounce-back week against Metrolina Christian after taking a blowout loss to the NCISAA juggernauts Providence Day in Week 1. Senior quarterback Elijiah Oehlke and athlete Xayden Watson have both found their groove, and Dontario Austin has commanded control in the middle. As they host for the first time this season, the Crusaders will likely take control and win comfortably in their house.

The pick: Trinity Christian

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville-area high school football predictions for Week 2 of the 2024 season