Football Game Preview: Hickory Red Tornadoes vs. Crest Chargers + How To Watch

The Hickory Red Tornadoes will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Crest Chargers at 7:00 p.m. Hickory knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 31 points or more in their past 12 matchups -- so hopefully Crest likes a good challenge.

Hickory is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They came out on top against Jay M. Robinson by a score of 36-29. 36 seems to be a good number for the Red Tornadoes as the squad scooped up a victory with the same number of points in their previous game.

Rocket Brice

Receiving Yards

11/28/25 @ Jay M. Robinson	131
10/31/25 vs Bandys	98
08/29/25 vs Alexander Central	64
09/05/25 vs Bunker Hill	37
10/03/25 vs Maiden	36

Hickory got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Jaheem Jenkins out in front who rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins has been hot recently, having posted two or more rushing touchdowns the last four times he's played. Rocket Brice also helped out with an impressive 131 receiving yards.

Hickory didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Dorrian Medley and Brice.

South Point typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday Crest proved too difficult a challenge. They took down the Red Raiders 28-14. The game was the first time the Chargers have beaten the Red Raiders on their field since August 17, 2018.

Hickory better keep an eye on Michael Edwards. He was instrumental in Crest's win, rushing for 93 yards and a pair of scores. Another rusher making a difference was Jason Black, who gained 100 total yards and a touchdown.

Crest has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won eight of their last nine games. That's provided a nice bump to their 11-2 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 7.7 points on average over those games. As for Hickory, their record is now 12-1.

Thursday's contest might be decided on the ground. Hickory has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 173.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Crest struggles in that department as they've been averaging 163.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Thursday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Hickory strolled past Crest in their previous meeting back in November of 2024 by a score of 63-48. Do the Red Tornadoes have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Chargers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.