North Carolina Football Association (NCFA)

Mathematically going into week 10 Asheville was not yet eliminated from the playoffs, but it sure seemed like it.  They had struggled over the past 3 weeks to put themselves at 3-6.  But if they could turn things around and finish 6-6 tied with Gastonia at 6-6 then they would have a chance at the wild card spot.  The first obstacle was was to beat Charlotte who has been playing in spurts as one of the better teams in the league.  Just last week they went to Rocky Mount and won 20-10 to keep their playoff hopes alive and unlike Asheville who is struggling with an aging team Charlotte is young and anxious to win.  Ashevill did not by any means dominate this game, but they did what was needed in the 4th quarter to notch a win and move into week 11 one game closer to .500.  Erik Waters had a solid game 11/19 for 128yds, but as he has for much of the season struggled to really get any offense going.  Marshall Moss as well struggled 23 carries for 63yds with 1TD does not represent the sluggish day he had.  The only real standout on offense was HB Brett Stinson who had 4 carries for 72yds and has shown all season an ability to break big plays.  The real key to this win though came from the defense who picked Royce Scott twice, once was a Chris Carlson game winner with 2:44 left in the game.  Sitting in good position to put the game away Carlson intercepted a Scott pass on the 8yd line and returned it 92yds for the game winning touchdown.  Next week Asheville has to travel to Salisbury where they should see an end to their season, but they will be trying as best they can to keep themselves close to Gastonia for their big week 12 matchup.

Charlotte had lost both games to Gastonia this season and came into week 10 with a must win situation.  If they lost the best they could finish would be tied with Gastonia at 6-6 and Gastonia would take the tie breaker.  Everything looked set for the win up 10-7 with under 3 minutes in the game deep in Asheville territory when Chris Carlson picked off Royce Scott at the 8 and went all 92yds for a touchdown.  Scott hadn't had a bad game, 29/48 for 320yds with 2Ints, but such a mistake that late in the game erased all memories of the 300+ yds he threw.  Perhaps the big question on the day is why Kelving Ingram 10 carries for 61yds and a TD and Tony Sessions 4 carries for 23yds didn't see the ball more.  Scott has never been seen as a big time passer but the entire game seemed to be riding on his shoulders in this one.  He got good support from TE Cash Johnson 9reception for 84yds and WR Troy Good 6 recemptions for 75yds, but in the end the weight seemed too much for Scott to handle.  A good solid game from the Charlotte defense went for naught as Charlotte watched their playoff hopes go down.  Charlotte hosts Kinston next week where they can play spoiler to the Eagles bid to make the playoffs.