Prep notebook: Forestview QB questionable, East Lincoln to open stadium
GASTONIA — Forestview quarterback Calvin Johnson’s status for Friday’s game will likely be up in the air until gametime, coach Chris Medlin said Wednesday.
Johnson suffered a shoulder sprain during last week’s 7-6 win at East Rutherford and has taken it easy at practice this week as a precautionary measure, Medlin said.
“It’s just sore,” Medlin said. “It’s a matter of how it feels Friday.”
If the 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore can’t play in this week’s home game against Clover, S.C., Andrew Buckner will start in his place. Buckner, also a sophomore, led the Jaguars on the game-winning drive late in last week’s game.
On that drive, Buckner delivered a crushing block that sprung Octavious Wallace for a huge gain.
“I think that excited the kids,” Medlin said.
Forestview also played the full game last week without two-way lineman Jamar Kendrick, who dislocated an ankle in the season-opening loss to Nation Ford, S.C.
“Hopefully he’ll back next week or so,” Medlin said.
Forestview has lost five straight to Clover, including a 28-16 defeat last year. Forestview’s only win in the six-game series was a 27-20 victory in 2004.
Mustangs return home
East Lincoln will play host to Oak Ridge Military on Friday despite ongoing stadium construction, head coach Mike Byus said Wednesday.
Portable toilets and concessions will be necessary, though, as crews put the finishing touches on a $970,000 project that began June 17. The project includes a new track, concession stand, bathrooms and handicap-accessible features.
Although the stadium is ready to host a game, the team still hasn’t moved back into the field house, Byus said. Byus hopes the project is closer to completion by the time the Mustangs play host to East Gaston on Sept. 10.
Byus is more concerned about his team’s opponent this week. Oak Ridge, located near Kernersville, defeated West Brunswick 42-0 two weeks ago and features four to five Division I recruits, Byus said.
“When I got the DVD, I thought it was messed up. I thought it was in fast forward,” Byus joked.
County rivalry heats up
Among Friday’s top matchups is an eastern Gaston County rivalry between South Point and East Gaston. The home-standing Warriors are off to a 2-0 start while the defending state champion Red Raiders are a surprising 0-2.
South Point has won three straight in the series but barely held on for a 21-16 home victory last year.
Friday’s other top matchups include an old rivalry between Maiden and Lincolnton (a pair of high-scoring teams off to 2-0 starts) and a Cleveland County showdown between Kings Mountain and Burns. Kings Mountain won its opener against Q Foundation last week while Burns dropped to 0-1 with a loss to Crest.
You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.
