Breaking down the North Piedmont 3A

Coaches around Iredell County said all throughout the offseason that winning the 10-team North Piedmont 3A would be no easy task.

Turns out that was exactly right.

Here we are four games into the nine-game schedule, the time where usually one or two teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not so in this league.

East Rowan, Mooresville, Northwest Cabarrus, Statesville, West Iredell and West Rowan are all 3-1 in conference play.

Obviously, any of the six teams has the talent and ability to win the conference, but let's take a look at which team is in the best shape and the big matches each week.

Easiest schedule remaining: West Rowan
The Falcons' remaining five opponents currently have an 8-12 record, and they have three nearly gimmies against Carson (0-4), Lake Norman (1-3) and South Rowan (1-3).

Easiest schedule remaining out of county schools: West Iredell
The Warriors still have North Iredell and Carson (0-8 in NPC) on the schedule. They’ll play three teams currently at 3-1, but get two of them at home.

Hardest schedule remaining: Statesville
The Greyhounds’ remaining five opponents are 12-8, although Statesville does have a few key games at home. All of Statesville's conference wins have come against sub-.500 teams.

County school in the best position: West Iredell
By defeating defending conference champion West Rowan last week, the Warriors should have a leg up on the other two county schools. West Rowan might still be the best team in the conference, and I think the Falcons have a good chance to win the rest of their games. If the Warriors win out, they’ll be tied with West Rowan and will hold the tiebreaker.

Biggest games (by week) the rest of the year
October 5: Northwest Cabarrus at Statesville
This is the only conference game between two teams with winning records during this week. After losing a heartbreaker at home to West Rowan two weeks ago, Statesville gets another shot with a big home game.

October 12: Mooresville at Statesville/West Iredell at Northwest Cabarrus (tie)
Huge week in the NPC –East Rowan will also play at West Rowan. These games could be elimination games in the NPC race for the Greyhounds and Mooresville (who will still have West Rowan left).

October 19: Statesville at West Iredell
This will conclude a brutal three-game stretch for the Hounds.

October 26: Mooresville at West Iredell
Should be a good one when Mooresville's run-it-right-at-you offense takes on West's spread-out-the-field squad.

November 3: West Rowan at Mooresville
If West Rowan and Mooresville both go undefeated until this point, this game will decide the conference champion. Even if one team has lost again, they’ll have a great shot to play the spoiler role and perhaps still clinch a share of the conference crown.