High School Football Preview: Parkland v. Carver

On Friday, Sept. 14, the Parkland Mustangs will travel to face the Carver Yellow Jackets in what is shaping up to be a blowout game.

Parkland has started its season 4-0, while Carver has struggled in the early going, managing an 0-5 record.

Most recently, Parkland defeated Marvin Ridge, the No. 21 team in North Carolina per Max Preps, in an overtime thriller. Parkland won the shootout 43-42, and they should carry momentum from this upset into their upcoming game against Carver.

Parkland’s twitter account reported that Marvin Ridge kicked a game-tying 50-yard field goal as time expired, sending the game into overtime. Marvin Ridge then scored a touchdown on its first overtime possession.

Parkland then took a serious risk in overtime by attempting a two-point conversion, and the risk paid off, as Parkland converted, sealing a walk-off, upset victory.

Carver did not fare as well over the weekend, falling 60-0 to the East Forsyth Eagles. The Eagles essentially ended the game in the first quarter by scoring 33 points, and by halftime they had pushed their lead to 53-0.

Fortunately for the Yellow Jackets, the Eagles took their foot off the gas and ran out the clock in the second half. In short, the final score could have looked much worse.

The Mustangs offense should continue its run of dominance, as their unit has scored 182 points across four games, and the Yellow Jackets’ defense has allowed a total of 249 points between their first five games.

Carver’s offensive PPG sits at a paltry 3.6, so Parkland’s defensive unit, led by senior West Virginia commit Lee Kpogba at outside linebacker, should not struggle to contain a dreadful Carver offensive unit.

In 2017, Parkland comfortably defeated Carver 34-12 in September, but they ended the season with a 6-6 record. If the Mustangs wants to improve on their 2017 record, defeating Carver will be an important stepping stone.