#{"type":"NFHSLiveVideo","preprocess":false,"preprocessed":false,"preprocessedHtml":null,"nfhsLiveVideo":{"contestId":"8aef3c04-167b-44b1-8540-9abdce38ec83","isPregame":true,"poSiteAttributionModel":2}}#
The Albemarle Bulldogs will venture away from home to take on the Union Academy Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Union Academy took a loss in their last matchup and will be looking to turn the tables on Albemarle, who comes in off a win.
Albemarle took a loss when they played away from home last Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They blew past Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy 41-14. Considering the Bulldogs have won three games by more than 26 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Aj Butler
| 10/10/25 vs Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy | 161 |
| 08/22/25 @ College Prep & Leadership Academy | 121 |
| 09/19/25 vs Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy | 93 |
| 08/29/25 vs North Wake S | 88 |
| 09/05/25 vs West Stanly | 69 |
| + 2 more games |
Aj Butler had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. He has become a key player for Albemarle: the team is 3-1 when he posts at least 80 rushing yards, but 0-3 otherwise. Kenneth Harper got in on the action as well, converting a pick into a touchdown.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Albemarle was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 247 rushing yards. They are a perfect 3-0 when they've run for more than 200 yards.
Meanwhile, Union Academy was just a hair shy of victory on Friday and fell 28-27 to Mountain Island Charter. The loss continues a trend for the Cardinals in their meetings with the Raptors: they've now lost seven in a row.
Albemarle will need to focus on slowing down Nico Mendoza, one of several Union Academy players who made an impact when they last played. He threw for 200 yards and three TDs. Union Academy's leading receiver Jaequan Timmons was Mendoza's top target yet again, picking up 80 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
Even if they lost, Union Academy's defense still kept up the pressure with 6.5 sacks. Jordan Smith was particularly dangerous to the passing game, picking up four himself. Union Academy got some further help from John Souza: he picked up 0.5 sacks and made ten total tackles (2.0 for loss).
Union Academy now has a losing record of 3-4. As for Albemarle, with the victory, they broke their four-game losing streak and moved their record to 3-4.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Albemarle has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 165.9 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Union Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 157.3 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Albemarle beat Union Academy 7-0 in their previous matchup back in October of 2024. Will the Bulldogs repeat their success, or do the Cardinals have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
