Every offense in 2009 looks good against Asheville and Rocky Mount was no different in their week three match-up. Jon Query looked good going 17/31 with 221yds 2TDs and 1Int. But Darryl Grace was the big standout with 89yds on 15 carries. The only real bad spot for Rocky Mount was Shane Bach who only had 1 reception on 8 throw toos. The defense struggled to contain Asheville like all teams have this season, but in the end they did enough limiting Asheville's scoring more than their yardage. Wildon Clark and Stuart Rembert both had 10 tackles.
Asheville loses another close game, this time though they didn't make the mistakes that have hurt them so badly in their previous games. Erik Waters looked great 30/44 285yds 1TD and Brett Stinson though he struggled off and on was effective 41yds and 1TD on 17 carries. Chuck Alton was the only real standout on the Tourists with 6 tackles 1 interception and 1 knockdown. The defense as a whole struggled as they have in every game this season.
Rocky Mount is off to Wilson next week and Asheville will get a true test of their offense as they travel to Charlotte.
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Raleigh's offense has struggled all season and this game was no different, but their defense stepped up, took control of this game and when they had too the offense did what they needed and scored points. The defense forced four turnovers which lead to 17 points and the offense threw in one 60yd TD reception for good measure. Even though the offense struggled, only 5 first downs, they seemed much better with Christian Woodson at the helm than they had in previous weeks with Marcus Musson. For one thing Woodson threw for over 50% going 10/19 for 146yds 1TD. For another they didn't turn the ball over and they didn't blow opportunities given to them by the defense. The defense was solid across the board with no big standout player, though Charles Ralph raised some eyebrows with his 3 tackles and 2 sacks.
Wilson had decided to give Jeff Gray a start this week, even though Derrick Smith had lead them to a 2-0 start. Smith has struggled on the road and the decision was made to see what Gray could bring to the Tobs. His numbers were somewhat impressive, 32/58 for 359yds and 1TD. But add to that a fumble and two interceptions and the experiment seems like it may have costs the Tobs a chance at victory against a struggling Raleigh team. The Tobs defense looked great completely stifling Raleigh's offense. Like Raleigh they had no real standouts just a good blend of solid play.
Wilson hosts Rocky Mount next week while Raleigh hosts Burlington.
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Kelvin Ingram was brought into Winston-Salem to take pressure off of James Martin and give Brandon Brown more time to grow as a running back. So far he is doing better than they had hoped. His role in this game is a great example of what he has been able to do for the Twins. At the start of the game the Twins were struggling to move the ball either on the ground or in the air. Suddenly Ingram became James Martin's primary target and the offense just seemed to open up. Ingram would end the game with 6 catches for 48yds on 6 throw toos. He also helped with key runs when they needed them, like the one that setup their first touchdown. He ended the game with 46yds on 15 carries. These are not huge numbers, but it is the kind of play the Twins have been missing for the past couple of years, and have never had since James Martin has been on board. Martin is looking better each week, this week he was 21/35 for 262yds and 1 fumble. He has to learn to hold onto the ball better, but he is finally showing his coaches what kind of arm he has and a lot of this has to do with the balance that Kelvin Ingram has brought to the team. The defense is playing much better this season as well. They completely shut Maurice Bloom down in this game holding him to 12yds on 17 carries, and Nate Mustoe only completed 41% of his passes. Alonzon Kaufman was the big standout in the game with 3 tackles and 4 sacks.
Durham didn't necessarily look bad in this game, but they certainly didn't look good. They struggled to move the ball at all in the first half and could never get Maurice Bloom going. Nate Mustoe struggled as well 12/29 181yds 1TD. They travel to Greensboro next week and will need to get their running game back if they hope to win games. Nate Mustoe has the potential to help them win, but he cannot win games on his own. Their defensive line played well in this game, but their secondary was picked apart by Martin. Don't be surprised if there's a shakeup in the defensive backfield if things don't improve next week.
Winston-Salem travels to Salisbury next week. They don't expect to win, but they are hoping to show that they can at least stay in the game with the Popes.
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