Ira Cronin | The best home field advantage in Charlotte

Both teams are undefeated (ok, that is a little bit of hype but undefeated sounds so much juicier than 1-0) and I can’t wait to be there!

This will be the second game of the season for Coach Jim Oddo and his team. I was at last week’s first game, but was only able to stay for the first half. I wasn’t there for the amazing finish.

Prep writer Langston Wertz with our news partners at the Observer was also at that game. When I talked to him on our HS GameTime show that night he said the atmosphere in the 2nd half, and in the overtime periods was like that of a playoff game, on week one of the season!

Thursday I went to Myers Park to talk with Head Coach Jim Ruark about Friday night’s game and the same phrase came up again as he told me that playing at Charlotte Catholic anytime of year is like stepping into a playoff atmosphere. Trust me when I tell you he had a huge smile on his face when he told me that. He is as competitive of a coach as we have in Charlotte and he loves taking his kids into the games that everyone else thinks they will lose. He thrives on the challenge.

Coach Ruark and the Mustangs are coming off a season opening win at home over Garinger that wasn’t even kind: 65-0. With all due respect to Garinger, they are a struggling program. It was the Wildcats 47th consecutive loss. Ruark knows it will be whole different ballgame against the Cougars at Keffer Stadium.

It will be a playoff atmosphere, and I can’t wait to be there, and share it with you on HS GameTime Friday night at 11:15. See you then!