Five things to know as Polk County travels to East Surry in the first round of the state 3A playoffs.
Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. The game will be aired on NFHS Network.
East Surry is seeded 13th in 3A West, while Polk County is seeded 20th. The winner will travel next week to face fourth-seeded North Stanly.
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Last week: East Surry lost 54-13 to Mount Airy; Polk County fell 37-21 to Hendersonville.
KIGER CARRIES THE LOAD: East Surry’s rushing attack is led by sophomore Nathan Kiger, who has topped 1,000 yards this season.
Kiger has carried 119 times for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Sophomore Jon Hutchens provides a complement with 115 carries for 559 yards and four scores.
The Cardinals average 337 yards per game, which will test a Polk County defense that has played its two best games of the season the past two weeks.
DAVIS THROUGH THE AIR: East Surry junior quarterback J.B. Davis has been productive in the passing game, completing 84 of 167 attempts for 1,182 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Davis posted a career-high 193 yards against Mount Airy in last week’s regular-season finale.
Senior Braxton Davis – a 6-3, 230-pound tight end boasting an 80-inch wingspan and the brother of the quarterback – has been his top target with 30 catches for 400 yards.
SANCHEZ SETS RECORD: Polk County senior Loreynzo Sanchez enters the playoff opener with 1,783 yards rushing and 23 total touchdowns, 21 of those on the ground.
Sanchez’s 259 carries this season have set a new school record, breaking the old mark of 200 set by Jamal Tanner in 2015. He’s coming off a season-low 83 yards rushing against Hendersonville, but his ability to carry the offense will be crucial for the Wolverines’ playoff hopes.
WOLVERINE NOTES: Junior Styler Blackwell enters the playoff opener with 89 tackles and could reach 100 with a strong performance. He’s coming off a career-high six catches for 128 yards against Hendersonville, including a spectacular 43-yard touchdown where he fought through multiple tacklers.
Senior Zalen McCraw is third on the team with 44 tackles and has been an emotional leader for a defense that has improved significantly in recent weeks. Senior Nolan Simpson is second with 53 tackles and has been steady in pass coverage.
Senior kicker Blake Anderson has been a weapon on special teams, averaging kickoffs to the 8-yard line with seven touchbacks. He’s also averaging 36.1 yards per punt with a long of 50 and is 24-of-27 on extra points.
FINISHING STRONG: East Surry won four of its final six games after an 0-4 start to the season that included losses to Statesville, Starmount, Murphy and Walkertown. The Cardinals have had only one game this season decided by a touchdown or less and just three decided by 13 points or less.
The Cardinals reeled off wins over North Forsyth, Surry Central, North Surry and Forbush during that stretch, though they also suffered defeats to West Stokes and Mount Airy. The 4-6 finish marked East Surry’s first losing regular-season record since 2012.
