Kai’s Five: 5 Ways To Help Decide Which Game To Go To Week One

Week one is upon us this football season! (Yes, I know Wayne Christian and the other private schools kicked off last Friday, but the real night is here. Shout out to the Eagles on a 28-7 win over GRACE Christian of Raleigh, though.) The Friday night lights are back on! If you’re a lover of high school football, and not a parent of a student athlete, it may be hard to pick a game — but I got you covered! Let’s go!

TOPIC 1: BOX OFFICE OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

Box office offensive players are the ones who sell the tickets, get the likes and get people talking. This part of the list is for guys who play ONLY offense. Here are five players in the WJG Area that are worth the price of admission.

1. Clayton senior QB Aiden Smalls — Don’t think you can start a list like this without NC State commit Aiden Smalls. Smalls plays QB for Clayton, but will play wideout for the Wolfpack. It’s easy to see why Dave Doeren likes Smalls. Fast, stops and starts easily and doesn’t go down without a fight. At the QB spot, it looks too easy for Smalls at times. Last year, he threw for 1948 yards and 24 touchdowns with 1006 yards and 12 touchdowns. 
2. Cleveland junior RB Kaleb Ferrell — I’ve been big on Kaleb Ferrell since I saw him dominate at Swift Creek as an 8th grader. Ferrell runs low with long strides. His running style plus Cleveland’s always-prolific offense, makes for an exciting proposition this season. Ferrell had 992 yards on the ground and caught 13 passes for 194 yards and totaled up 10 TDs as a sophomore. With Cleveland having a new QB, I expect the Rams to lean on 27.
3. Eastern Wayne senior WR Charlie Thomas — Charlie Thomas is the only player on this list (I believe) that has made Sportscenter Top 10! Thomas is known for his prowess on the basketball court uses those same skills on the football field. His long arms and great leaping ability give him a wide catch radius. Pair that with his strong hands and tenacious style of play and he’s a big time jump ball threat. Thomas put up 31 catches, 529 yards and 9 TDS last season. 
4. North Johnston senior QB Kaleb Pone — The heart and soul of the Panthers, Pone had a monster year last season to lead North Johnston to their first winning season since 2016. Pone got it done through the air and on the ground as he totaled over 1000 yards in both categories. Pone had over 2600 yards and 28 TDs last season. Pone has an uphill battle this season with Traquin Watson, last season’s top weapon, graduated. Still though, Pone’s speed and ability to make the right throws will be the very determination of the Panthers’ success this season.
5. Clayton senior WR Deangelo Ruffin Jr — Deangelo Ruffin Jr’s transfer from Cleveland to Clayton was a big one for the Comets. Ruffin Jr. put up 55 catches for 969 yards and 13 TDs last season — including 5 catches for 137 yards for 3 TDs against his new teammates. Ruffin Jr.’s ability to always be open and secure the catch will be a big asset for Clayton. 

TOPIC 2: BOX OFFICE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

These are the players that pop when you turn on the tape. They win the championships. These are the five biggest draws on the defensive side of the ball ONLY.

1. Clayton senior DB Akedran Crumel — Akedran Crumel flies all over the field making big plays. Jocosports.com’s Randy Capps called him one of the best corners he’s seen in the last 10 plus years in covering preps. He’s received offers from multiple Power 4 programs. Crumel notched 34 tackles, 1 sack and 4 interceptions last year: 
2. Cleveland senior DE/LB Cameron Melvin  — A powerful marble of defensive versatility, Cameron Melvin is a real game-plan wrecker.  At 6-feet and 240 pounds, Melvin is effective at the point of attack with his hand in the ground or standing up and tallies up the tackle for losses each week. Melvin finished last season with 94 tackles, 8 sacks, 4 caused fumbles and 41 TFLs. 
3. Clayton senior DL Keyshawn Stancil — Clemson commit Keyshawn Stancil is a disruptor at the line of scrimmage. Offensive line often find their gear shift in reverse when Stancil is around. Stancil led the Comets in sacks and caused fumbles with 9 and 3 respectively to go with 63 tackles.
4. Aycock junior LB MarShaun McCullen — MarShaun McCullen got a good schooling from three year starters Jasaan Williams and Antwain Grantham last season, but will now have to fill those shoes as they have graduated. McCullen looked more than ready last season as he put up 66 tackles, led the team in sacks with 9 and also got a pick. I expect even more this season from the 6-foot, 229 pound junior.
5. Rosewood junior LB Aldinio Previl — Another young man I’ve been high on since their middle school days. Aldinio Previl was a monster for Dillard carrying the ball, but at Rosewood he has become the guy who beats on ball carriers. Previl tied for the team lead in tackles at 129 last season. Previl also had two interceptions and a caused fumble. 

TOPIC 3: BOX OFFICE UTILITY PLAYERS

These are the guys who mean everything to their teams as they are difference makers on both sides of the ball. 

1. Princeton sophomore RB/DB Teo McPhatter — Another kid who I was high on in middle school, Teo McPhatter is the game changer for Princeton. Not only can the young man carry the offense on the ground, but he can throw it and guard the other team’s best receiver. McPhatter is generational talent for Princeton as you rarely see this type of talent mixed with this type of work ethic. McPhatter put up over 2400 yards and 28 TDs between his ability to run, pass, catch and return as a freshman last year. Add in 3 interceptions and one caused fumble on the defensive side as well.
2. Eastern Wayne senior QB/LB Izeiah Oates — Izeiah Oates is to Eastern Wayne what the brain is to the body. Oates led the team in passing and rushing, is the top returning tackler and interceptor. The Warriors will go as Oates goes.
3. Princeton senior RB/LB Austin Lewallen — Austin Lewallen is the Thunder to McPhatter’s lightening in the backfield. Lewallen plays with pads tho and finished runs with no problems. Lewallen ran for over 1000 yards last season for the second year in a row. 
4. Rosewood senior RB/LB Bryson Hobbs — Bryson Hobbs from Rosewood had a nice junior campaign with 900 rushing yards and 74 tackles. The 6-foot, 197 pound running back uses his long frame to snake through tiny openings in the offensive line. Look for Hobbs to finish his Friday night career well.
5. Goldsboro senior OL/DL Jaden McClary — Goldsboro senior Jaden McClary is the heart and soul for the Cougars. An absolute unit on both the offensive and defensive line. The state champion wrestler knows how to get leverage and uses it well on the gridiron. McClary also punts, kicks off and kicks field goal for the Cougars as well.

TOPIC 4: BEST PLACES TO FILM

This is for the media members out there who may not have a clue where to go film. This is my list of favorite places to film. This list is based on parking, how easy it is to get to the field, field quality in all conditions, lighting and space to film on the sidelines, along with some miscellaneous other perks.

1. Princeton High — Turf! Turf! Turf! No but seriously, Princeton has the best combination of all factors. Two sided parking so it’s easy to find a spot and get out quickly. It’s never hard to get on the sidelines. The lighting is beautiful on 95% of the field (the end sone by the scoreboard could use some work). It’s always easy to maneuver on the sidelines and find a place to film. Throw in the occasion when I can get a slice of Crick’s Pizza on the way out and you’ve got a top notched field to film.
2. Clayton High — Turffffffffff! I’m a big fan of turf. Soft, doesn’t get too wet, just perfect. Throw in the best lighting and environment in the WJG and this place makes it tough to be beat. But, the parking can leave you sitting in the parking lot for over an hour. I often just sit down in my car and let my video export and post rather than fight with the crowd. Also, it can be hard trying to weave through the, what seems like millions of, teens in the crowd to get field access. Still, a great venue to record a game from. The bowl around the field makes you feel like you’re filming the gladiators in the coliseum. 
3. Rosewood High — Environment carries this small venue. It’s intimate at Rosewood. You can hear the fans behind you talking junk. The cow bells. The fans seem engaged. Always plenty of room to film on the sidelines. Real grass so the field condition can vary. Lighting can be spotty. But an awesome place to check out some small town football.
4. Greene Central High — Another environment favorite. Again, cowbells. Fans engaged. The announcer calling the shots. And head coach Jay Wilson is usually great for a soundbite or anecdote on the sideline. Field normally in great condition even when wet. Lighting definitely has some dead spots. But you get some good points on parking as the lot normally gets empty in a timely manner.
5. West Johnston High — This fifth one was a tough call. It could’ve easily went to Cleveland or Aycock or Eastern Wayne or even Smithfield-Selma. But I went with West Johnston for a very important reason: the band! The band at West Johnston in my opinion is the best one I’ve heard in recent years. They play to the game. And keep the environment lively. Plus West has really nice field quality and can generally find a spot on the sidelines. Parking and ease of the sideline aren’t the greatest, but a great place to take in a football game at.

TOPIC 5: BEST GAMES THIS WEEK

Here are some of the week’s top matchups to take place this week.

1. Clayton vs Wilson Prep — This is our game of the week! Clayton, a 7-A contender, will take on 1-A favorite Wilson Prep. The two have never faced off. The matchup gets extra spicy when you consider Wilson Prep’s best player, Jordan Hamm, transferred to Clayton in the offseason. I believe Wilson Prep will hang tough but he overwhelmed by Clayton’s depth. Give me the Comets, 38-16.
2. Rosewood at Aycock — Wouldn’t be the start of football season without the good ole Little River Rivalry! The Golden Falcons has owned the matchup traditionally as they are 15-1 in the MaxPreps era, with the lone loss coming in 2021. But with Aycock losing plenty, this game could get interesting. I see a close contest in this one. Give me Aycock, 28-20, in a squeaker.
3. South Johnston at Smithfield-Selma — This has usually been a conference game, but will just be a rivalry for the next four years. The Spartans have been down for the majority of the MaxPreps era, but their most wins in the MaxPreps era have come against South and West Johnston. But last year was a 35-7 thumping in the Trojans’ favor. I expect a tighter ball game this time around with South coming out on top, 27-14. 
4. Cleveland at Pinecrest — This is a matchup between two teams who won 10 games last season at the 4-A classification. But I don’t think it will be as close as everyone believes it may be. As much as Cleveland has lost, it seems like Pinecrest has lost even more. Both teams have plenty of pedigree, but I like the cut of Cleveland’s jib a bit more, give me the Rams in a statement game, 42-30. 
5. Goldsboro at Eastern Wayne — The Wayne County Classic returns to Goldsboro High this year, but the game has been far from a classic the last four years. The Warriors have traditionally dominated the rivalry on the gridiron as they have won 14 of the 20 during the MaxPreps era. The Cougars last win came in 2019 when the “Miracle on New Hope” happened. Since then, the Warriors have won the last four. But I’ve been high on Goldsboro this offseason. They’ve got Corinthian Waters coming in from Eastern Wayne Middle plus a good class from Dillard. I’m not sure what to make of Goldsboro yet, but I think this game will be a big litmus test to see if Goldsboro can be a good team this year. Regardless, give me the Warriors 37-14.

In case you haven’t figured out which game to go to yet. Here’s the rest of the slate and my predictions:

Greene Central vs North Lenoir, GC 24-12

Spring Creek at Union, U 32-12

Southern Wayne vs James Kenan, JK 36-8

Wayne Christian at Bear Grass Charter, WC 21-18

Princeton vs Ayden-Grifton, P 42-32

North Johnston vs Beddingfield, NJ 36-32

Corinth Holders at North Brunswick, CH 18-6

ALA Johnston vs Lejeune, ALA 36-14

West Johnston at South Garner, SG 22-7

Thank you for reading this column and/or watching this podcast. I plan to drop these weekly on Friday. If you would like to advertise here or on the podcast or through any of WJG Sports’ ventures please email us at Wjgsports@gmail.com. 

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