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Conference play begins in both the Western Foothills and Catawba Valley conferences this week.  

East Lincoln plays at Hickory in what some say will likely be the game to decide the WFAC championship.  Both teams are 3-0 and both have scored a lot of points against opponents.  Hickory beat Hibriten 35-14, Newton-Conover 56-36, and Cox Mill 35-15.  

Lincolnton held East to 28 points (28-14) two weeks ago, but the Mustangs scored 57 at Stuart Cramer while holding their opponents scoreless.  They allowed just one TD in a 39-8 win at Forestview.

If you subscribe to NFHS Network ($11.99/month; $79.99/yr plus tax), you can watch the East Lincoln at Hickory game there (https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/)

NFHS will also carry the North Lincoln @ Statesville game.  

While the Knights lost their first game of the season in overtime at West Lincoln (21-20), they won at Lincolnton (also 21-20) and put on an offensive show against East Rutherford last week, winning 56-21. The Greyhounds also started the season slow.  They lost to Alexander Central 13-6 and to Lake Norman 14-13 before beating South Iredell 22-15. 

Lincolnton is still looking for its first win after three losses (South Point 35-21, North Lincoln 21-20, East Lincoln 28-14) and they're hosting what many believe is the 'team to beat' in the Catawba Valley Conference, Bunker Hill. The Bears are 3-0 (Freedom 42-8, St. Stephens 49-7, Hickory Hawks [homeschooled, etc.] 45-6).  

While Bunker Hill has scored over 40 points in each game, it's noteworthy that the teams they beat are all weak (Freedom is the only one of them to win a game so far).  Each of those teams has given up four or more TDs in every game, usually more.  If the Wolves are to turn their season around, this is the time to start.

West Lincoln is also 3-0 after that close win over North and two laughers over Cherryville (68-7) and Foard (49-20). The Rebels have a tought opponent at Bandys.  The Trojans are also 3-0 (St. Stephens 35-0, Foard 49-6, South Caldwell 45-14).  They are picked by as many or more than those who like Bunker Hill as the likely conference champs this season.  West, of course, has a strong running attack and a great defense--which they'll need against a balanced Trojans offense.  

You can hear the LHS game on WLON Radio (1050AM, 107.5FM).  The West Lincoln @ Bandys game will be on WNNC Radio (1230AM, 101.3FM and online at https://wnncradio.com/football/.  It will also be on KTC Broadcasting's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRpUzsZXcswYgH89t-CePog)

Maiden plays at East Burke this week.

Cherryville visits Shelby.

Burns hosts Highland Tech.

Crest visits Ashbrook

You can hear the Cherryville @ Shelby game on WCSL Radio (1590AM, 92.9FM) and online at http://www.ktcbroadcasting.com/.

WOHS (1390AM, 101.5FM) will have the Crest @ Ashbrook game, also online at http://www.ktcbroadcasting.com/.

The Burns game will be on the KTC Broadcasting YouTube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRpUzsZXcswYgH89t-CePog)

Fred T. Foard will try again for a first win of the season at North Iredell. That game will be on the NFHS Network (paid subscription)

Other games this week:

North Gaston @ Forestview

Kings Mtn. @ Hunter Huss

Stuart Cramer @ South Point

Newton-Conover @ West Caldwell

St. Stephens @ West Iredell

Bessemer City @ Thomas Jefferson

Pine Lake Prep @ Mtn. Island Charter

In JV games Thursday, Statesville beat North Lincoln's JVs 34-29; Hickory's JVs downed East Lincoln 36-32, East JV QB Junior Beam scored three TDs.  We didn't receive any info or score from the LHS or Fred T. Foard JV games.

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