Warriors enter Black Friday undefeated for only the fourth time

East Gaston and South Point are like most rivals in that it’s a big deal whenever they hook up, no matter the records.

Even when it’s an undefeated team against a winless team.

The only peculiarity this time: South Point (0-2) is the school with the lesser record.

The eastern Gaston County rivals will meet for the 39th time tonight at East Gaston, and it will mark only the eighth time the Warriors (2-0) entered with a superior winning percentage (that includes 2006 when South Point won its first four games but forfeited each of them).

To break it down further, East Gaston is undefeated entering the rivalry for only the fourth time. In 1972, the Warriors started 2-0, then tied South Point 0-0. In 1983, East Gaston won its opener, then defeated South Point 21-14. And in 2003, the Warriors won their first four games, only to fall big, 35-7, at South Point the next week.

Looking at the big picture, South Point leads the series 27-9-2 after pulling out a 21-16 wipe-your-brow victory a year ago. East Gaston is trying to beat the Red Raiders for the first time since 2006.

“We always say around here East Gaston is going to play as hard against us as they play against anybody,” South Point coach John Devine said.

It would be inaccurate to say the Red Raiders stumble into Arrowhead Stadium tonight. The first loss came by a score of 22-7 against a very good Clover, S.C., team that South Point has never defeated. And the second loss went to overtime as Lincolnton, who many believe could make a deep 2A playoff run, snuck out a 43-42 shootout.

Still, the slow start in the win column is hardly what the defending 3AA state champs envisioned a few weeks ago.

“We’re pretty hungry,” Devine said. “I think this crowd will be ready to play. We’re doing all we can to get our guys ready and try to keep a positive outlook on it. You’ve just got to keep playing hard. Good things will happen if you keep playing hard and keep a positive attitude.”

East Gaston pulled off one of the Week 1 shockers by defeating Hunter Huss 10-7. Hunter Huss proceeded to thrash Bessemer City 48-6 the following week. The Warriors followed up their first win with a 29-0 rout of North Gaston and haven’t given up a point in their last seven quarters.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.