This week Around the Rock, three high schools participated in away games while the McMichael Phoenix enjoyed a bye week. None of those games were within five touchdowns, as the Morehead Panthers lost to T.W. Andrews, 0-37, the Reidsville Rams bested West Stokes, 49-8, and the Rockingham Cougars shut out High Point Central, 39-0.
Morehead is now in a tough 0-8 position heading into a bye week. They only have two games left, as they will face the 2-5 North Forsyth Vikings at home before finishing off their season with a tough county rivalry game against Reidsville, the powerhouse twenty-two time state champions.
With Reidsville’s forty-one point win over the West Stokes Wildcats, they improve to 6-1 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. Since their lone loss of the season to Eastern Alamance, they have outscored their opponents by an average of twenty-six points. Their final three games will be up against Walkertown, T.W. Andrews, and Morehead.
Rockingham’s impressive blowout over High Point Central was a must-win, as their next two games will be very difficult. This was a gimme that they needed to win, and they took care of business. Now sitting at 5-2 and 3-1 in 3A competition, they’ll host the undefeated Dudley Panthers, who are one of the best in the state. Then, the Cougars will battle the Northeast Guilford, who is 5-2, before capping off the regular season up against Atkins.
McMichael, who is now 4-3 overall, 3-0 at home, and 2-1 in conference competition, got a chance to rest their legs this week. Next week, they take on the aforementioned West Stokes. Considering the fact that McMichael lost to Reidsville by two possessions, whereas West Stokes lost by six possessions, they can take down this 5-2 team. Then, they’ll face Walkertown and T.W. Andrews as the season closes. The Phoenix season will close with three very winnable games that could get them in good playoff position.
It looks like Rockingham County will be sending Reidsville, Rockingham, and McMichael to the postseason this year, while Morehead will continue to develop their young core. The fortunes truly are looking good for the Rams, Cougars, and Phoenix, and we can definitely look forward to the next few weeks of meaningful games as we march to the playoffs.