KIPP P is on a ten-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), while Wilson Prep is on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Pride will host the Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
KIPP P is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They breezed past Sallie B. Howard to the tune of 48-7. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Pride's considerable advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina football rankings (they are ranked 129th, while the Eagles are ranked 355th).
Josiah Esperance had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries. His longest rush was for an impressive 66 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. The team also got some help courtesy of Tamaues Person, who rushed for 90 yards and one TD on only eight carries.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: KIPP P was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 333 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Sallie B. Howard only rushed for 104.
Meanwhile, Wilson Prep made easy work of Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy on Friday and carried off a 64-40 victory.
KIPP P better keep an eye on Travon Usher. He was instrumental in Wilson Prep's win, rushing for 224 yards and four scores while picking up 8.6 yards per carry. Usher also put in work on the defensive side of the ball, picking up a sack and making three total tackles (2.0 for loss). Tyquan Whitaker made the highlight reel by snagging an interception and taking it all the way to the house.
Wilson Prep didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Brandon Bruno and Whitaker. Another thorn in Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy's side was Zalik Cannady, who picked up a sack and made five total tackles (2.0 for loss).
KIPP P's win bumped their record up to 11-0. As for Wilson Prep, they now have a winning record of 6-5.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. KIPP P has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 224.4 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Wilson Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging 318.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
KIPP P was dealt a bruising 36-8 loss at the hands of Wilson Prep in their previous meeting back in November of 2024. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Usher, who rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns, and also threw for 115 yards on eight of 12 attempts. Now that the Pride know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? There's only one way to find out.
