Week 2: MTCS @ Moore County
Above .500? We Think So
: : Jeremy Smith, Jay Brunner : :8.31.2010: :

The Cougars are coming off an impressive 32-0 win over Watertown and now head back on the road. The destination this week is Lynchburg, where they will open District play at Moore County. The Cougars got the best of the Raiders last year in a 30-7 thrashing at Throneberry Stadium. It was R.J. Miller's first game back from an illness and he put on a record performance, rushing for 246 yards on 21 carries and really exciting the crowd every time he touched the ball.

The Raiders are coming off a 4-6 season in which they missed the playoffs. Coach Steve Matthews departed for the offensive coordinator position at Siegel, so in comes Scott Smith. Smith led Ezell Harding to a state title in 2001.

The fastest player on the team, Hunter Case, was projected to be the starter at QB, but stats from last week's loss to Cornersville show that Case threw only three passes, while Justin Durm went 3/12 for 41 yards and three interceptions. Case did rush the ball 8 eight times for 48 yards. It is unclear what forced him into such a limited role, but if he's injured and can't go this Friday, then his presence will definitely be missed.

Asa Bowman left the action early in the second quarter last week with an ankle injury. A Tuesday doctor's visit will shed more light on the severity. WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Doctors have diagnosed Bowman with a high ankle sprain. His status is questionable for this Friday. R.J. Miller left the game yet again and didn't return, due to what sources close to the situation deemed a concussion. Hopefully these two playmakers can get back on the field because they're vital pieces to what the Cougars can and will do in 2010.

Montrelle Berry, who was the go to guy on the ground last season, has graduated, but the Raiders still have Daniel McGee. McGee, however, only had four carries for seven yards on Friday. The leading Raider rushers were Case and J.P. Evans with 36 yards on 15 carries.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

HUNTER CASE: Even though he may be injured, if he is playing and starting at QB, as is still expected, then he can definitely be dangerous. He's extremely athletic and has a great throwing arm.

J.P. EVANS: He had the most carries for the team last week with 15, even though he only averaged 2.4 yards per carry against Cornersville.

DANIEL McGEE: He was the number two guy on the ground in '09 behind Berry, but only had four carries last week. Despite that fact, expect him to be used and to be a factor in the Raider offense.

Here are some key stats from last season's win over Moore County:

R.J. Miller: 21 carries, 246 yards, 2 TD

Stephen Brent: 11 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD

MTCS Defense: allowed 247 yards, but only 7 points

BIG STAT: Through two games in 2009 the Cougars had been outscored by a combined 72-3. This season the Cougars are outscoring their opponents 32-14.

The Cougars have to be feeling good after the Week 1 shutout win and now have a great chance to push their record above .500 for the season. The Raiders were outmatched in every way in 2009 and the Cougars look even better this season.

PREDICTIONS

Jeremy Smith - The Cougars won in a runaway last season and they're even better this year. The Raiders lost several players to graduation so don't look for this one to be close even if Miller and Bowman don't play. Cougars win 42-14.

Jay Brunner- Coach Smith will have the Raiders ready for MTCS this year. However, comparing the talent on each roster sheds light on some startling gaps between these two teams. As fans saw last week, the Cougar depth chart can burn you from top to bottom, and the Raiders may have trouble keeping up. It will be close early, but look for MTCS to pull away in the second half. Cougars win 38-10.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm this Friday at Moore County High School. See you there as the Cougars look to push their record to 2-1 and get a win in their first District game.