Starmount is on a eight-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Mount Airy is on a eight-game streak of away wins (also dating back to last season): one of those streaks is about to end. The Starmount Rams will host the Mount Airy Granite Bears at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Mount Airy's offense is going to have their work cut out for them on Saturday: Starmount hadn't allowed a single point the last four times they've hit the field. Starmount breezed by Alleghany on the road to the tune of 49-0 on Friday. Given the Rams' advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina football rankings (they are ranked 125th, while the Trojans are ranked 294th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Luke Collins was his usual excellent self, throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns while completing 84.6% of his passes, and also rushing for 35 yards and a touchdown. He also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, making five total tackles and defending a pass in addition to snagging an interception which he returned for a touchdown. Kinston Crater was another key player, gaining 80 total yards and a touchdown.
Starmount wouldn't let Alleghany keep a hold of the ball as they managed to force two fumbles. Starmount can thank Brayden Cass and Sam Shore for forcing both of them.
Meanwhile, Mount Airy got themselves on the board against North Stokes on Friday, but North Stokes never followed suit. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat the Vikings 55-0 at home. That looming 55-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Granite Bears yet this season.
It was another big night for Taeshon Martin, who rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries. His rushing production has been exceptional recently as that marked his fifth straight game with at least 116 rushing yards dating back to last season. The team also got some help courtesy of DJ Joyce, who rushed for 44 yards and two touchdowns.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Mount Airy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 316 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 206 rushing yards in 21 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.
Mount Airy's defense made their presence known, laying out the QB four times. Joyce was particularly dangerous to the passing game, picking up two sackshimself.
Starmount's victory bumped their record up to 4-0. As for Mount Airy, their win bumped their record up to 5-0.
Saturday's game might be decided in the on the ground. Starmount has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 238 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mount Airy struggles in that department as they've been averaging 350.8. It's looking like Saturday's match might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Starmount took a serious blow against Mount Airy in their previous matchup back in September of 2023, falling 47-15. Thankfully for Starmount, Tyler Mason (who rushed for 152 yards and four touchdowns on only 14 carries) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
