The Freedom Patriots will take on the Central Cabarrus Vikings at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Central Cabarrus will challenge a team with plenty of momentum: Freedom extended their winning streak to four two weeks ago. The Patriots really took it to McDowell for the full four quarters, racking up a 41-0 win. Considering the Patriots have won seven contests by more than 21 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
It was another big night for Kaden Davis, who threw for 175 yards and two TDs while completing 80% of his passes, and also rushed for 55 yards and one touchdown on only six carries. Freedom's leading receiver Juju Dominguez was Davis' top target yet again, picking up 61 receiving yards, while also rushing for 66 yards.
Freedom's run defense was locked in: McDowell could only muster 3.1 yards per carry. The team can thank Nevan Thao for the heroic effort on defense: he. Freedom didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 9.8.
Freedom's defense didn't let Danny Charles Brown, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for four sacks. In that department, Thao was the leader with two.
Meanwhile, two teams were on the hunt for playoff glory, but only Central Cabarrus walked away with it. They breezed past the Falcons to the tune of 38-10 on Friday.
Freedom better keep an eye on Damonte James. He was instrumental in Central Cabarrus' win, rushing for 244 yards and a pair of scores while picking up 12.2 yards per carry, and also picking up 52 receiving yards. James is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 102 every time he's taken the field this season. Tiy'Rhen Ward was another key player, rushing for 62 yards and one touchdown on only eight carries.
Freedom's victory bumped their record up to 9-1. As for Central Cabarrus, their win bumped their record up to 5-6.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Freedom has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 188.9 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Central Cabarrus struggles in that department as they've been averaging 237.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Freedom strolled past Central Cabarrus when the teams last played back in September of 2022 by a score of 46-29. Do the Patriots have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Vikings turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
