Spartans to face run-first Rockets

The Mount Tabor football team gave Coach Laymarr Marshall what he wanted -- the chance to have practice on Thanksgiving Day.

Tonight, the Spartans might want some hand-warmers.

By outlasting rival Reynolds 26-22 in a dramatic game last week, Mount Tabor (10-3) advanced to the NCHSAA 4-A quarterfinals and a game at Asheville Reynolds (11-2). Kickoff will be at 7:30, and today's forecast for Asheville includes morning snow showers, wind and a low temperature near 30.

Marshall said that his player should be back down to earth.

"I think last week's game took so much energy out of us that we were humbled to beat Reynolds," Marshall said. "I don't think we are flying too high. We knew it was a great game and could have gone either way. We are thankful for moving on, and we are fulfilling one of our goals."

A.C. Reynolds -- a 24-14 loser to West Forsyth in its season-opener -- has won seven straight since a 35-24 loss to Asheville on Oct. 2. The Rockets have a rushing-oriented offense, and back Joey Papay (1,023 yards, 18 touchdowns) and quarterback Caleb Pressley (617 yards, 10 touchdowns) do most of the work.

"They are physical, disciplined, and they don't do a tremendous amount of things," Marshall said. "The things they do, they do well. They run the football with several guys. They are a spread power team. The quarterback is real crafty. He is not a burner, but he can run and run with power, and he is shifty. He can move around enough to find receivers downfield."

Pressley has completed 100 of 180 passes for 1,331 yards and eight touchdowns, with seven interceptions.

"They pick their spots to throw, but they can be very effective when they do throw," Marshall said. "They spread the field most of the time, but they have a dangerous power set that they run with success every game. We have seen them, and more so then any team we have played, this team has trickery.

"They have some stuff up their sleeve, especially in the kicking game. We have seen them kick extra points two times on film. They usually go for two. They have trick plays and gadgets, so we have to be on our toes."

The Spartans' strength for the first part of the season was its defensive line, but the offense has started to catch up. Quarterback Brad Morton has passed for close to 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and has picked up the offense with his running ability. D.J. McCain, a senior running back, has rushed for 1,586 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Willie Asheford is the most dangerous receiver, with more than 700 yards and nine touchdowns.

But the defensive line remains a strength with juniors Chris Manns and Mat Turner. Manns (6-1, 285) has more than 70 tackles, including 38 for lost yards, and Turner has 11 sacks and 33 tackles for losses in only nine games.

The Spartans can also fall back on a speed advantage, Marshall said.

"They won't play the game with the same speed as R.J. Reynolds," Marshall said. "I think we have faced more speed than they have in our league, and we will take advantage of our speed. We have to adjust to a different style game. They will be at home on FieldTurf.

"The temperature is supposed to be 32 at kickoff, and that's not with the wind chill, so it's going to be cold. But it's also supposed to be dry, which is good. We think we have a good chance if we take care of the ball and break even in the kicking game, if not win it."

mlinker@wsjournal.com.

727-7324

NCHSAA playoffs

Friday's third round

(All games Friday at 7:30)

Class 4-AA East

No. 5 Fuquay-Varina (11-2) at No. 1 Wake Forest Rolesville (13-0)

No. 7 Lumberton (9-4) at No. 3 Fayetteville Britt (12-1)

Class 4-AA West

No. 12 East Mecklenburg (8-5) at No. 1 Matthews Butler (13-0)

No. 6 Charlotte Independence (12-1) at No. 2 Richmond Senior (12-1)

Class 4-A East

No. 5 Wilmington New Hanover (9-3) at No. 1 Southern Durham (12-1)

No. 3 Apex Middle Creek (12-1) at No. 2 Harnett Central (13-0)

Class 4-A West

No. 8 Mount Tabor (10-3) at No. 4 Asheville Reynolds (11-2)

No. 3 Ragsdale (13-0) at No. 2 G'boro Dudley (12-1)

Class 3-AA East

No. 12 Fay. Byrd (9-4) at No. 1 South Johnston (12-1)

No. 11 Southern Nash (9-3) at No. 2 Gray's Creek (11-2)

Class 3-AA West

No. 12 Anson (9-4) at No. 1 Northern Guilford (12-1)

No. 7 Belmont South Point (11-2) at No. 3 Kannapolis Brown (10-2)

Class 3-A East

No. 5 Eastern Alamance (12-1) at No. 1 Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons (13-0)

No. 3 Havelock (12-1) at No. 2 Hertford (13-0)

Class 3-A West

No. 4 Waynesville Tuscola (11-1-1) at No. 1 Lenoir Hibriten (13-0)

No. 3 Asheville (11-0-1) at No. 2 West Rowan (13-0)

Class 2-AA East

No. 9 Kinston (10-2) at No. 5 Pittsboro Northwood (12-1)

No. 3 Reidsville (13-0) at No. 2 SW Edgecombe (13-0)

Class 2-AA West

No. 8 Salisbury (9-4) at No. 5 Canton Pisgah (10-4)

No. 7 Newton-Conover (12-1) at No. 3 East Lincoln (11-2)

Class 2-A East

No. 5 Jordan-Matthews (10-2) at No. 1 East Bladen (13-0)

No. 7 Whiteville (9-3) at No. 6 Tarboro (12-1)

Class 2-A West

No. 9 Lexington (7-6) at No. 4 Thomasville (9-4)

No. 6 Lincolnton (10-3) at No. 2 Burnsville Mtn. Heritage (11-2)

Class 1-AA East

No. 4 Pender (11-1) at No. 1 SW Onslow (13-0)

No. 14 Rocky Point Trask (6-7) at No. 2 Goldsboro (11-2)

Class 1-AA West

No. 4 Swain County (9-3) at No. 1 Albemarle (13-0)

No. 7 West Montgomery (10-3) at No. 3 Hendersonville (11-2)

Class 1-A East

No. 9 Plymouth (9-4) at. No. 4 Wallace-Rose Hill (10-2)

No. 7 North Edgecombe (8-4) at No. 6 Jones (9-4)

Class 1-A West

No. 4 Princeton (10-3) at No. 1 Mount Airy (13-0)

No. 3 Robbinsville (10-2) vs. No. 2 Elkin (11-2)