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Reidsville's average margin of victory this season is 41 points, making the Rams about as prolific per game as the Cleveland Browns offense has been through the first half of the season. On the verge of their third consecutive undefeated regular season, motivation still never seems to be an issue for the two-time defending state champions.

"Our coaches do a good job scaring our guys to death thinking they're playing the best team in the state every week," coach Doug Robertson said. "Getting them to believe that somehow, it is a challenge sometimes. This week, when they see 8-2, they don't need a lot of motivation there."

The opponent is question is Providence Grove, the second-year Randolph County school that can earn a share of the Mid-State 2-A Conference title if it can do what no other team has done this season: beat the Rams.

The Patriots, led by former Grimsley head coach Todd Shuping and his son, quarterback Richard Shuping, have lost only to Pittsboro Northwood (9-1) and Jordan-Matthews (8-2) after going 5-7 in their first season.

But they're still a decided underdog against the wood chipper that is Reidsville, which has won all but one of its games by 33 points or more in Robertson's first season after taking over for Jimmy Teague. Robertson's transition has been made easier by the fact that all but one member of the coaching staff returned, including offensive coordinator and 18-year veteran Earl Bates.

"I tell my players, you can't be an individual, you've got to be a good teammate. That's the way I look at my role," Robertson said. "I'm just one piece. I do make the final decisions, yes, but it's not an ego thing for me. It's just that I have to do it."

The Rams' success has been largely driven by the improved line play of Jamie Jackson, Gabriel Hildebrand and Bryron Johnson, the defense of Marcus Paschal, Steve Williams and Ryan Broadnax and the equally steady and spectacular play of quarterbacks Tyrell Houghton and Lavert Butchee. Reidsville owns 17 state titles but has never won three in a row, a hurdle they're keeping in mind as they go for their 43rd straight win tonight.

"I get asked every year if I get tired of it, and I just laugh," Robertson said. "You never get tired of them, because it's so hard to get them. No matter how it looks, it's not easy."

TIGERS' SUCCESS A FAMILY AFFAIR: Ragsdale doesn't put player names on the backs of its jerseys, but they'd be pretty easy to recycle if the Tigers did. Quarterback Luke Heavner is the second Heavner to start under center for the Tigers in three seasons, following older brother Matt, who's now at Davidson. Luke has already thrown for 15 touchdowns in his junior season, and is on pace with Matt's production as a senior when he was named conference offensive player of the year.

Ragsdale's quarterback in between the Heavners was Tim Romer, whose younger brother Pete is now a junior wide receiver who scored a 7-yard touchdown Friday against Glenn. A third Romer brother, Erik, is a freshman wide receiver and the best athlete of the bunch, coach Tommy Norwood said.

"I'd take about 10 more of them," Norwood said.

PURSLEY HITS 200: They start to blur together at some point, but Northeast Guilford coach Tommy Pursley still remembers his first victory some two decades ago. "It's a long time," he said with a laugh.

Pursley, who has yet to suffer a losing season in 17 years at Northeast, reached career win No. 200 with a 29-12 victory at North Forsyth last week.

"It just means I've been coaching a long time," Pursley said. "I guess you don't see as many coaches now with the sticktoitiveness or the endurance to do it this long."

The Rams started 2-3, but those losses were to 9-1 Northern Guilford, 10-0 Reidsville and 8-2 Page. Northeast has won five straight since then and can win the North State 3-A Conference title outright with a home win tonight against Ledford, which surprised Southern Guilford last week.

"We've still got our work cut out for us," Pursley said.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: High Point Christian's fledgling football program has been accepted into the Carolina Piedmont Football Conference when it begins varsity play in 2010. The Cougars, who improved their JV record from 3-5 to 5-2 this season, will be the eighth member of a conference that includes Arden Christ School, Forsyth Country Day and Northside Christian.

"Our young men have worked extremely hard to get to this point and the school has supported our efforts in every possible way," Cougars coach Steve Lechner said.

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