The Central Cabarrus Vikings will challenge the Freedom Patriots at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
Central Cabarrus is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They breezed past Southeast Guilford to the tune of 38-10. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Vikings.
Damonte James
| 10/24/25 vs West Cabarrus | 3 |
| 09/19/25 @ Hickory Ridge | 3 |
| 11/07/25 @ Southeast Guilford | 2 |
| 10/30/25 @ Harding University | 2 |
| 10/17/25 @ Berry | 2 |
| + 6 more games |
Damonte James was his usual excellent self, rushing for 244 yards and two scores while picking up 12.2 yards per carry, and also picking up 52 receiving yards. He is becoming a predictor of Central Cabarrus' success: when he posts at least two rushing touchdowns the team is 5-2 (and 0-4 when he doesn't). Tiy'Rhen Ward was another key back, rushing for 62 yards and one TD on only eight carries.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Central Cabarrus was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 362 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 204 rushing yards in six consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Freedom never let their opponents score two weeks ago. They took their contest with ease, bagging a 41-0 victory over McDowell. The Patriots might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by 22 points or more this season.
Central Cabarrus better keep an eye on Kaden Davis. He was instrumental in Freedom's win, throwing for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes, and also rushing for 55 yards and one score on only six carries. Kobe Johnson was in the mix too, providing the Patriots with two TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Freedom's defense and their four sacks. In that department, Nevan Thao was the leader with two.
Central Cabarrus' record is now 5-6. As for Freedom, their record now sits at 9-1.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Central Cabarrus has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 237.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Freedom struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 188.9 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Central Cabarrus ended up a good deal behind Freedom when the teams last played back in September of 2022, losing 46-29. Thankfully for the Vikings, Bg Hampton (who rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 10.5 yards per carry) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
