Lee County – Harnett Central Preview

The Lee County Yellow Jackets (8-0, 2-0) will go on the road this Friday night to face Harnett Central (5-3, 1-1) in a Tri-County 3A Conference matchup.    The Yellow Jackets come into the Friday night game ranked #5 in the state 3A poll and leading the conference in scoring, scoring defense, total offense and total defense.     Lee County is scoring 43.8 ppg, allowing 11.8 ppg with a scoring margin of +32.0 ppg.   The Trojans are scoring 19.6 ppg, allowing 16.5 ppg and a scoring margin of +3.1.

When Harnett Central Has the Ball

The Trojans offensive numbers has been balanced in regard to running/passing but Harnett Central has been challenged to put up a lot of points offensively so far this year.   The Harnett Central offense will face is toughest challenge this Friday night against a Lee defense that has been stingy on the ground (allowing 70.5 ypg) and will limit the time that QB Jaden Bryant will have to throw.    Bryant threw for 171 yards against Union Pines in the conference opener and will have to have similar or better numbers for the Trojans to have a shot at this one.

When Lee County Has the Ball

The Harnett Central defense is 2nd in the league in scoring defense – giving up 16.5 ppg – but will see the best offense they face this season on Friday night.    Lee County has over 3000 yards of total offense through 8 games and been balanced in running and passing.    Colin Johnson is the league’s top QB in regard to yardage and QB ratings and is backed up by running backs AJ Boulware and Larry Baldwin.   Ten different receivers have caught passes for Lee County this season and Johnson sees the field well enough to spread it around.

Intangibles

Harnett central will get this one at home and that may well be the only intangible advantage we can find for the Trojans.    Lee County is +12 in turnover margin this season and the Trojans will need a positive turnover night against Lee County to stay in this one.     Lee County is going for their 13^th consecutive Tri-County Conference win and their 32^nd straight regular season win.