Impact Pre-Season Sweet 16 poll: 2A

Class-2A
1. East Rutherford (2003 2A Champ)
2. West Wilkes
3. Owen
4. West Henderson
5. South Columbus
6. Mount Pleasant
7. Forbush
8. North Henderson
9. Ledford
10. Western Guilford
11. North Pitt
12. Western Alamance
13. South Brunswick
14. Northwood
15. Clinton
16. Randleman
- East Columbus (2003 2A Runner Up)

 

East Rutherford lost Marcus Covington to Louisberg JC from last year's team. The P/OF player was a key part of their championship run. That's the good news for the other 2A teams in the state. The bad news is that Chad Flack is returning for his senior campaign.

East Rutherford has won at least 20 games for over 10 years now. They have built a dynasty and figure to just re-load one more time.

There are plenty of quality challengers behind them this year. ER may be hard pressed to repeat as champs. West Henderson (though they definitely haven't "fallen from grace") lost a lot off of a quality team last year. West Wilkes and Forbush will beat up on each other and get battle ready. This one is "too close to call". I'm glad I wasn't doing the rankings.

 

Losing Covington was a blow. More often than not his presence at cleanup forced pitchers to give Flack something to hit. But the Cavs return eight seniors, including seven starters, and the lineup actually should have more depth than last years squad.