Game Picks Presented By WeUp Athletic Group

Laieke Abebe needs two more wins to clinch the crown as the best picker after winning his seventh straight last week. 

The Game Picks are presented by WeUp Athletic Group. We before Me. WeUp Athletic Group offers skill development and mentoring to local athletes at an affordable price. To schedule your workout, contact Nic Oats at 919-980-6036.

Spring Creek vs. Bear Grass Charter — WJG Sports Game Of The Week

Kai: “The final game of the season for the Gators is a rematch of a game earlier this season that Bear Grass Charter won 36-30 on a last second touchdown pass. I think the energy of Chomp City will invigorate the Gators. 32-30 SC.”

Laieke: “Spring Creek has been through a tough season, but they’ve shown a blueprint on how to handle being an independent football program. It came down to the final play the last time these two teams played. The Gators will hang tough once again, but I think Bear Grass wins in a similar fashion tonight. 23-16 BGC

Bethel Christian at Halifax Academy: NCISAA D2 8-man state championship game— Strika’s Game Of The Week

Kai: “Eli Harris has ran through every team that has tried to stop him. Bethel is back at full strength, but I think this is the Vikings’ year! 56-48 HA.”

Laieke: “Something tells me that despite how great Halifax Academy has been this year, BCA is going to do something special. They have their full team back, but they have to contain Eli Harris, the Vikings 2,000 yard rusher. The Trojans will also have to keep it low scoring on the road in a tough environment. After everything they’ve gone through, it would be some story if the Trojans pull it off and I just have a feeling on this one.” 28-22 BCA

Farmville Central at Beddingfield

Kai: “The Bruins are a good team, and the Jaguars are not. 42-8 B.”

Laieke: “Jaguars will fight, but the struggles continue.” 46-0 B

D.H. Conley at Eastern Wayne

Kai: “D.H. Conley is hot and is looking at clinching a piece of the conference crown, and no matter what Desmond Vaughn, JJ Murray or Nick Barrett do they will not be stopped.” 57-14 DHC

Laieke: “Went to Vikings practice this week and they’re laser focused on these last two weeks. After this game, they have the big one against South Central and they know how last years game ended.” 54-6 DHC

Rosewood at North Duplin

Kai: “11-8-19…that’s all we’re waiting on and North Duplin will not ruin it.” 48-7 R

Laieke: “Give me November 8th already.” 50-6 R

Southern Wayne vs New Bern

Kai: “New Bern has a ton of weapons and executed pretty flawless usually. The Torrey Nowell effect continues.” 61-16 NB

Laieke: “New Bern continues to cruise against the Saints.” 58-7 NB

South Central at J.H. Rose

Kai: “What a game between two teams who need wins. South Central needs a win to avoid 5th place. Rose needs a win to help its cause to make the playoffs. Think Rose gets the much needed win in a shootout.” 48-40 JHR

Laieke: “Both teams can put up a lot of points in a hurry, but the Rampants should take this one and move to .500 on the year. That would be a great turnaround after starting 2-5 against a tough schedule.” 42-33 JHR

Ayden-Grifton at Greene Central

Kai: “A loss this week pretty much ends Greene Central’s playoff hopes. Ayden-Grifton is rolling while it seems like the Rams are limping in to this game.” 26-0 AG

Laieke: “The Chargers will continue their roll against a struggling Greene Central offense.” 35-8 AG

Washington at West Craven

Kai: “The 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference championship game between the two most consistent teams this season. But I don’t think West Craven is nearly talented enough to keep this one close.” 38-16 W

Laieke: “Washington completes an incredible conference slate by winning the title in Vanceboro.” 39-13 W

Northside vs Tarboro

Kai: “Tarboro will Tarboro at a high level.” 56-0 T

Laieke: “Northside has played well, but the Tarboro rampage through the Coastal Plains 1-A will continue.” 53-0 T

Southside vs Riverside

Kai: “Both teams need this one for the playoffs. Riverside is the more talented team and should win this one.” 42-26 R

Laieke: “This might be the biggest bubble team matchup in North Carolina this week. Both the Knights and the Seahawks need this game. I think coach Carrow and the Seahawks win in the final minutes.” 27-26 S

Arendell Parrott vs Faith Christian

Kai: “The Matt Beamon revenge tour continues.” 42-28 APA

Laieke: “APA remembers what Faith Christian did to them in the playoffs last season. I think the Patriots use Wilkes Thomas and Trey McLawhorn to their advantage.” 35-20 APA

North Pitt vs Nash Central

Kai: “North Pitt is hot! I’m rolling with them!” 28-26 NP

Laieke: “The Panthers could put themselves in a position to have a shot at one of the final playoff seeds.” 30-27 NP

North Johnston vs Southwest Edgecombe

Kai: “SouthWest Edgecombe is the superior team in every way.” 42-0 SWE

Laieke: “North Johnston couldn’t get the game they needed last week against North Pitt and it doesn’t get any easier against the Cougars this week.” 48-0 SWE

Princeton at Lakewood

Kai: “November 8th! November 8th! November 8th! One last tuneup for the Bulldogs.” 50-13 

Laieke: “One more win will set up the big one next week. Kai has already claimed that as next weeks WJG Sports game of the week.” 51-6 P

Clayton at Smithfield-Selma

Kai: “SSS has good athletes, but not enough of them. Clayton has more than enough.” 52-9 C

Laieke: “Clayton is going to take their frustration out on SSS after a tough game against Cleveland last week.” 53-6 C

Corinth Holders vs Knightdale

Kai: “Corinth Holders is dealing with injuries and playing against ultra talented football teams.” 26-14 K

Laieke: “Corinth Holders is hanging onto a playoff spot, so this is a must win game for the Pirates. Unfortunately, I think the Knights find a way, but it comes down to the last possession.” 25-20 K

South Johnston vs East Wake

Kai: “East Wake got a win against West Johnston last week, but South Johnston is different. Trojans get back to .500.” 48-0 SJ

Laieke: “It looks like South Johnston should be the three seed out of the GRNC as long as they take care of business.” 40-14 SJ

Goldsboro at Midway

Kai: “I used the transitive property on this one. James Kenan lost to Goldsboro by eight points, making Goldsboro eight points better than James Kenan. James Kenan also lost to Midway, but by 30 points. So if Midway is 30 points better than James Kenan and Goldsboro is eights points better then Midway is 22 points better than Goldsboro. #Math #DoTheKnowledge #StayInSchoolKids” 50-28 M

Laieke: “A Goldsboro loss in this game isn’t the end of the world, but they’d really need the East Duplin game next week. I think the Midway offense proves to be too much.” 46-30 M

North Lenoir at Kinston: Jimmy Smith Cup

Kai: “North Lenoir has been playing with my emotions all season! Kinston should win this, but because I picked them then North Lenoir will win because underdog mentality. Let’s see what happens.” 28-0 K

Laieke: “Something tells me Kinston has heard a lot from their county rivals. It should be a close, low scoring game and the Vikings might have to make way with very few offensive possessions. It’s their senior night, so Kinston will find a way to sneak by.” 23-19 K

Cleveland at West Johnston 

Kai: “Cleveland is ready for the playoffs and won’t let a rivalry game side track then. They’ll take care of business.” 56-8 C

Laieke: “Cleveland should clinch at least a share of the GRNC title tonight.” 57-7 C