Week 0 Game of the Week: Emerald at Ninety Six
IT’S. FOOTBALL. TIME. We have waited patiently for nearly nine–NINE–months for high school football season and it is finally here! And to kick off football season on the Lakelands we have the game we have had 13 of the past 15 seasons – the Emerald Vikings and the Ninety Six Wildcats.
The Vikings hold a 16-12 advantage all-time against the Wildcats. The teams, former region foes, have battled to narrow margins of victory the past two seasons. In 2022, the Vikings held off a second half surge from the Wildcats to win 25-28 at Wilson Campbell Stadium. Last season, it was the Wildcats hanging on for a 28-27 victory amidst a highly controversial call at the goalline.
The Vikings have much to prove on offense with first-time starter Eli Swancey under center. Swancey, while a fantastic athlete, has yet to take a snap in a meaningful game since he was eight years old. He will, however, have plenty of weapons at his disposal. The Vikings have a couple of bruising running backs capable of running inside and Swancey will be looking to get the ball in the hands of senior Key Holloway and newcomer Armahd Key.
The Vikings offense will have to move the ball against a Ninety Six defense that is a year better and a year stronger. New co-defensive coordinator Chase Duncan brings a jolt of enthusiasm and he, along with co-defensive coordinator Tripp Henderson, have revamped a Wildcats defense that was pretty good for the most part in 2023.
The impact of the addition of Kam Langford to the Emerald defense cannot be overstated and the senior plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He and the rest of the Vikings defense will need to stay disciplined against a Wildcats offense that will feature a heavy dose of Zayvion King at running back. King piled up over 1,200 yards on the ground last season and found paydirt 18 times for Ninety Six.
King’s availability will be critical for the Wildcats, as he has been resting a shoulder injury for the past few weeks. However, if King is unable to play, the Wildcats have a stable of backs that can handle the load, including Gabe Hackett, Kayden Payne and Joe Moore.
Leading the Wildcats at quarterback is junior Carver Davis. Davis started five games last season at quarterback for the Wildcats, leading them to a 4-1 record while under center. Davis’ performance will be a huge deciding factor in the Wildcats success, not only in this game, but throughout the season as well. Carver will be protected by an offensive line that returns four of five starters from last year and is led by All-Lakelands guard Austin Wertz.
Prediction: The line on this game is Wildcats -2. On paper, the margin feels like it may be even slimmer than two points. Be sure that Coach DuBose and crew will have a gameplan for King and the Vikings will have their hands plenty full stopping #8. The real question will be can the VIkings offense move the ball against a WIldcats defense that will have a nasty pass rush led by Nathan McCary. Ultimately, the VIkings Offense will struggle to move the ball against a solid front seven for the WIldcats and King will do enough to carry his team to victory.
Final score: Wildcats 24, Vikings 21.