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The three-headed monster atop the Piedmont Triad 4-A standings will take one hit Friday when Glenn hosts High Point Central in a battle of 7-1 teams hoping to catch Ragsdale in the season's final two weeks.

Both Glenn and Central are 3-0 in conference play (a half-game behind 4-0 Ragsdale), both are riding six-game win streaks, and both's only loss came to a team that is still undefeated. And if that's not enough intrigue for you, they went to overtime last year with Central prevailing 9-6 on a Drew Adams touchdown pass to Ricky Dowdy. Neither is flashy, but each has played well to its strengths. Glenn has won with a consistent offense that has scored between 21 and 34 points since a 17-6 loss to West Forsyth on Aug. 29.

"We're not a fancy team," Cline said. "It's all about controlling the ball, winning field position and not giving up big plays. We said before the season started, we've got to do the little things and not beat ourselves."

The Bobcats have had more than their share of close calls — five wins by a touchdown or less, including one-point wins over Northwest Guilford and Parkland — but "I'm not apologizing," Cline said. "Every one has been a hard-fought victory. Our kids just seem to bow their neck at the most crucial time when their backs are against the wall."

Central is a week behind Glenn on the schedule, so Bison head coach Wayne Jones has seen the Bobcats on film each of the last two weeks.

"They look like a Dickie Cline-coached team," said Jones. "They're a well-coached bunch, they run the ball real well and they execute. They're an athletic group like we are."

The Bison have won seven straight since dropping their opener to now 8-0 Reynolds, and they've done it, as expected, with defense. Central has three three-year starters in Evan Aguilar, Akeem Langham and Jimmy Moorman and four more second-year returnees. That group allowed a stout 19 points a game last season, but has squeezed that number even further this year to just more than 10 a contest.

"Those guys have played together a while," Jones said. "They've just become a better defensive unit this year."

Expect more than a few patches of Ragsdale blue in the crowd. The Tigers (9-0) are off this week, host Glenn next Friday and are at Central to finish the season. The Tigers have yet to allow a point in conference play, but they've still got two hurdles to clear in their quest for a second straight undefeated regular season.

WILLIS PICKS PIRATES: Southwest Guilford wide receiver Airyn Willis has verbally committed to East Carolina.

A 6-foot-2 junior, Willis has put together one of the most robust offensive seasons in the county despite playing on a team that has struggled so mightily to move the ball of late that it tried handing the quarterback reins to him two weeks ago. Willis moved back to wideout last week against Glenn and caught seven passes for 115 yards and Southwest's only two touchdowns.

The Pirates were the first school to extend an offer to Willis earlier this month.

NIGHTHAWKS IN CHARLOTTE: Northern Guilford quarterback Rocco Scarfone and wide receiver Keenan Allen will take part in the Carolina Panthers' High School Football Challenge at halftime of this Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills. The on-field passing contest pits one school each from North and South Carolina and involves throws for distance and accuracy.

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com