The Big Game: West Johnston (1-0) at South Johnston (1-0)

Last Year: South Johnston, 31-10

It would seem that all signs headed to Ronald Avery Stadium on Friday night point to a trip to Fortyville (that's the land where teams who score 40 points a night live) for one, maybe even both teams.

West and South put up 41 and 55, respectively, last Friday night. Both sides gave up a decent amount of yardage (but not points, a combined 20) also last week.

But if you look at the series history, it doesn't seem to be in the cards. Why? In the short history of the rivalry, the two teams have hit the 40-point mark just once each - the unforgettable Nov. 5, 2004 match up that saw West outscore South, 63-43, while rushing for 628 yards.

West Johnston also rolled up 39 points in the teams' second of two meetings in 2003, but on average, the winner has put up an average of just over 35 points. (Take that aforementioned 2004 meeting out of the equation and average final score of the series, for the record is: 30.2 to 15.8.)

Here's not counting out a good old 1980s Jets-Dolphins or early 1990s State-Duke, 45-42er, but I wouldn't bet on it. There have been plenty of signs pointing to one of those in this series in previous years and it's happened just once so far.

Another thing to look at is rushing yardage. It's simple, at any level, you run the ball well, you win. It's been the same in this series. The team with the better rushing total holds a 5-2 lead in the series.

One of those dissenting two games (where the team with the smaller amount of rushing yardage prevailed) was South Johnston's pass-aided 20-13 win in 2006. And that win took a goal line stand in the final seconds by the Trojans to secure the victory.

Both teams showed they can tote the rock last week, combining for more than a third of a mile in rushing yardage (601 yards to be exact). The ground game battle will probably win here as well.

So what's the ideal formula for a win tonight?

Give me the team with 250 yards rushing, 30 points on the board and less than a couple of turnovers.

For the record, the South vs. West series by the years:

2007: South Johnston 31, West Johnston 10

2006: South Johnston 20, West Johnston 13

2005: West Johnston 29, South Johnston 20

2004, Game 1: West Johnston 19, South Johnston 18

2004, Game 2: West Johnston 63, South Johnston 43

2003, Game 1: West Johnston 39, South Johnston 20

2003, Game 2: South Johnston 33, West Johnston 14

Note: One of the games in 2003 and 2004 were both previously scheduled non-conference games, before West ended up in the same conference with South: the now defunct Big Eight South 3-A.

Around the County

Nash Central (0-1) at Smithfield-Selma (1-0)

Last Year: Smithfield-Selma, 19-7

The Spartans started to find their defensive identity in last year's meeting with the Bulldogs. Apparently it didn't take that long to find it this year as SSS shutout Triton in its opener. Another solid outing in their home opener would make a promising trend for the Spartans.

Clayton (0-1) at C.B. Aycock (0-1)

Last Year: Clayton, 3-0

The Comets were done in by their turnovers last week but found some offensive consistency in the fourth quarter of a 25-19 loss to Sanderson. Aycock was unable to find the end zone against 2-A power Bunn last week. Don't look for a ton of points in this one either.

North Lenoir (1-0) at North Johnston (0-1)

Last Year: North Johnston 30, North Lenoir 13 The Panthers came within a two-point conversion victory of a thrilling opening night win, meanwhile, North Lenoir got an exciting win, downing Richlands, 48-34, in a shootout. The Panthers had a big night on the ground last year against the Hawks, rushing for more than 270 yards. Looks like another high-scoring battle could be in the cards.

Princeton (0-1) at North Moore (0-0)

Last Year: North Moore, 14-0

The Bulldogs couldn't crack through on the scoreboard last year against the Mustangs despite moving the ball. Princeton had a little success moving the ball at times on South Johnston last week. The Dawgs will need to find more yards and the points that go along with them to get their first win of the season on the road.

Note: all games begin at 7:30 p.m.