(843) 991-2695Free Consultation Request
Medicare Agent in Fayetteville, NC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Fayetteville, NC or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Fayetteville, NC
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Fayetteville, NC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Fayetteville, NC
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Fayetteville, NC is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Fayetteville, NC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Fayetteville, NC. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Teresa
Senior Medicare Plans for Wendy
Medicare plans for michele
Senior Health Insurance for Macklyn
Healthcare for Mary
Burial Insurance for Midnightflowerphonix
Medicare Advantage for Linda
Senior Medicare Insurance for Larry
Medicare for Joan
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Carol
Senior Medicare Plans for Elisa
Medicare plans for Andrea
Senior Health Insurance for Bernard
Healthcare for Judie
Burial Insurance for Richard
Medicare Advantage for Cindy
Senior Medicare Insurance for Judith
Medicare for Raymond
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance for Daniel
Senior Medicare Plans for Rodney
Medicare plans for Shields
Senior Health Insurance for E
Healthcare for Amanda
Burial Insurance for Janice
Medicare Advantage for Felicia
Latest News in Fayetteville, NC
FSU Broncos Open 2026 Season at Mt. Olive Pickle Invitational
Fayetteville State University Athleticshttps://fsubroncos.com/news/2026/8/31/womens-volleyball-fsu-broncos-open-2026-season-at-mt-olive-pickle-invitational.aspx
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State volleyball begins its 2026 campaign this weekend at the Pickle Invitational hosted by the University of Mount Olive. The Broncos enter the season with lofty expectations after being selected as the preseason favorite to win the CIAA and will face a challenging non-conference slate against Wingate, Georgia College, and host Mount Olive.The opening weekend will provide an early test for a Bronco squad looking to build momentum before conference play begins later this month.Weekend Sc...
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State volleyball begins its 2026 campaign this weekend at the Pickle Invitational hosted by the University of Mount Olive. The Broncos enter the season with lofty expectations after being selected as the preseason favorite to win the CIAA and will face a challenging non-conference slate against Wingate, Georgia College, and host Mount Olive.
The opening weekend will provide an early test for a Bronco squad looking to build momentum before conference play begins later this month.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, September 4
Saturday, September 5
All matches will be played at Kornegay Arena in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
Scouting the Wingate Bulldogs
The Broncos open the season against a hot Wingate squad that enters the weekend with a 2-0 record after defeating Lee and host Lander at the Lander Invitational. Wingate has long been one of the premier NCAA Division II volleyball programs in the Southeast and will provide an immediate measuring stick for Fayetteville State's season opener.
Scouting the Georgia College Bobcats
Saturday begins with a meeting against Georgia College. The Bobcats enter the weekend searching for their first victory after opening the season 0-4 at the Bobcat Classic, where they faced West Alabama, Southern Wesleyan, Carson-Newman, and Albany State.
The contest marks the first of two matches on Saturday for the Broncos and provides another regional challenge before the evening showdown with the tournament host.
Scouting the Mount Olive Trojans
The weekend concludes against host Mount Olive. The Trojans have already opened their season and carry a 2-1 record into the week after victories over Mars Hill and Fort Valley State.
Playing the host school in the tournament finale will give Fayetteville State a match-up against a team that has already accumulated valuable early-season experience.
Looking Ahead
This weekend marks the beginning of what the Broncos hope will be a championship season. After being selected as the CIAA preseason favorite, Fayetteville State opens 2026 with three challenging non-conference match-ups against Wingate, Georgia College, and Mount Olive before turning its attention toward conference play.
Follow the Broncos
Fans can follow all of Fayetteville State's matches throughout the Pickle Invitational with live statistics and video streaming provided by the University of Mount Olive.
???? Live Stats: https://umotrojans.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
???? Live Video Stream (Conference Carolinas Digital Network): https://conferencecarolinasdn.com/umotrojans/?B=4072069
For complete post-match coverage, recaps, statistics, and updates throughout the weekend, visit FSUBroncos.com and follow@FSUBroncos on social media.
First Serve: Friday, Sept. 4 at 3:00 p.m. against Wingate in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
Fayetteville Proposes Parking Fee Increases to Cut $250,000 Deficit
Autumn Wingatehttps://foxy99.com/2026/09/03/fayetteville-proposes-parking-fee-increases-to-cut-250000-deficit/
Fayetteville officials want to raise parking citation fees and special-event rates. Why? The downtown parking program relies too much on taxpayer money. City Council cut General Fund support back in June, leaving a $250,000 hole in the parking fund's operating budget.According to the CityView, assistant public services director Brian McGill shared his recommendations during a City Council work session on Aug. 3. His three-part proposal doubles special-event rates at the Hay Street parking deck from $5 to $10. It also boosts citation f...
Fayetteville officials want to raise parking citation fees and special-event rates. Why? The downtown parking program relies too much on taxpayer money. City Council cut General Fund support back in June, leaving a $250,000 hole in the parking fund's operating budget.
According to the CityView, assistant public services director Brian McGill shared his recommendations during a City Council work session on Aug. 3. His three-part proposal doubles special-event rates at the Hay Street parking deck from $5 to $10. It also boosts citation fees across 13 violation categories and converts the Bow & Ann Lot from permit-only to paid parking.
The parking program loses money. Each year the system brings in about $550,000 but needs just over $1.1 million to operate, according to assistant city manager Jeff Yates. The General Fund covers the remaining $544,000.
McGill said his staff compared parking penalties in the 10 largest North Carolina cities plus Asheville. Fayetteville charges less than average for citation fees. Fire hydrant violations? Those cost $25 in Fayetteville. Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Cary, and Asheville charge $50. Charlotte and Wilmington charge $100.
Overtime violations on the street carry a $15 fine in Fayetteville. Raleigh charges $20. Charlotte $25. Cary $50.
The city contracts with a third-party company operating as Park Fayetteville to manage downtown parking. The five-year contract expires this year and costs about $750,000 per year, Yates told CityView in May. A proposed contract with a new vendor is expected to reach the City Council on Sept.14, with enforcement under the new agreement beginning Oct. 1 if approved.
Mayor Mitch Colvin expressed concern about raising costs for visitors. "These downtown businesses are talking to us more about needing a draw, and you don't want to discourage anything because they are trying to draw right now," he said during the work session, according to the CityView.
City manager Doug Hewett responded that those concerns could be addressed after the city locks in the new contract. He pointed out that the recommendations don't change enforcement hours, which run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Councilmember Shaun McMillan urged colleagues to slow down and allow residents to weigh in. He said the city should "make some space for the public to hear this tonight, and then have time to react and give some input prior to taking action," per the CityView.
A 2019 parking study found that total parking within downtown and a five- to seven-minute walk from Segra Stadium includes 4,360 spaces.
Fayetteville Woman Wins $325,758 Jackpot on First Lottery Play
Autumn Wingatehttps://foxy99.com/2026/09/03/fayetteville-woman-wins-325758-jackpot-on-first-lottery-play/
Troywanee Davis won $325,758 on her first attempt. She played Pantheon of Olympus: Tides on Aug. 18. Her mother had taught her the lottery at the start of August."I'm thrilled," she said, according to a press release from the N.C. Lottery.Davis hit the jackpot after spending $30. Her chances? One in 2.1 million. Knowing that, it's really special that she won."I was at a loss for words," she recalled. "We just got lucky I guess."She arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday, Aug. 31, t...
Troywanee Davis won $325,758 on her first attempt. She played Pantheon of Olympus: Tides on Aug. 18. Her mother had taught her the lottery at the start of August.
"I'm thrilled," she said, according to a press release from the N.C. Lottery.
Davis hit the jackpot after spending $30. Her chances? One in 2.1 million. Knowing that, it's really special that she won.
"I was at a loss for words," she recalled. "We just got lucky I guess."
She arrived at lottery headquarters on Monday, Aug. 31, to collect her winnings. Taxes took their chunk—state and federal withholdings reduced the prize. Davis walked away with $234,587.
"It's unbelievable, it's surreal," she said.
Davis will divide the money with her mother, a thank-you for the introduction. She wants to invest her portion and fund a cosmetology business.
Her mother had shown her the game, explaining the process before Davis struck gold. Mom will use the money to shop and assist others in her community.
Pantheon of Olympus: Tides launched in August as a progressive jackpot game. The prize now stands at more than $282,000.
Last year, Cumberland County education programs got $22.4 million from lottery funds. "The N.C. Lottery was created to provide value to North Carolinians," the lottery's official website states. "We promised to provide fun and fair games to players and raise money for a good cause: education."
The site adds, "Since 2006, we have kept our promise, delivering joy and thrill across the entire state of North Carolina. We have created and continue to nurture an environment and culture committed to social responsibility."
Information about lottery contributions across all 100 North Carolina counties can be found at www.nclottery.com in the "Impact" section.
Fayetteville football players on college rosters in 2026-27
Monica Hollandhttps://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/08/31/fayetteville-nc-football-players-on-college-rosters-in-2026-27/90849430007/
This story has been updated with more information.Cumberland County has produced a slew of college talent over the years, with more than two dozen local freshmen on college football rosters in the 2026-27 season alone.Two-time reigning NCHSAA East Region champion Seventy-First leads the way with 8 freshmen on college football rosters and 15 overall. South View has a dozen alums on college football rosters for the 2026-27 season. Cape Fear and Jack Britt also hit double-digits with 11. Four Cumberland County grads are o...
This story has been updated with more information.
Cumberland County has produced a slew of college talent over the years, with more than two dozen local freshmen on college football rosters in the 2026-27 season alone.
Two-time reigning NCHSAA East Region champion Seventy-First leads the way with 8 freshmen on college football rosters and 15 overall. South View has a dozen alums on college football rosters for the 2026-27 season. Cape Fear and Jack Britt also hit double-digits with 11. Four Cumberland County grads are on Division I rosters heading into the season, including Seventy-First's Jayson Franklin (USF), Pine Forest's Donovan Johnson (Rutgers), Trinity Christian's Makijah Latiker (UConn) and Jack Britt's Jaleel Parker (Liberty).
Here's a look at high school graduates out of Fayetteville who are on college football rosters in 2026.
College freshmen
High school graduates from the class of 2026
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!JACK BRITT
CAPE FEAR
GRAY'S CREEK
PINE FOREST
TERRY SANFORD
SEVENTY-FIRST
Ranking the best Fayetteville-area high school football recruits. Who's in the top 10?Multi-sport grind lifts Terry Sanford duo to college football offersSOUTH VIEW
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
WESTOVER
College sophomores
High school graduates from the class of 2025
CAPE FEAR
JACK BRITT
GRAY'S CREEK
PINE FOREST
SEVENTY-FIRST
E.E. SMITH
SOUTH VIEW
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
WESTOVER
College juniors
High school graduates from the class of 2024
JACK BRITT
CAPE FEAR
GRAY'S CREEK
PINE FOREST
TERRY SANFORD
SEVENTY-FIRST
SOUTH VIEW
WESTOVER
College seniors
High school graduates from the class of 2023
JACK BRITT
CAPE FEAR
PINE FOREST
TERRY SANFORD
SEVENTY-FIRST
SOUTH VIEW
E.E. SMITH
High school football picks for Fayetteville teams in Week 3
James F. Moore Jrhttps://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/09/03/fayetteville-nc-high-school-football-picks-and-predictions-for-week-3/91510177007/
Week 3 of high school football is here, and the season is beginning to shake up.Pine Forest has commanded the respect of the entire county after two convincing wins to start the year, while five Fayetteville-area programs are searching for their first win of the season.The 910Preps Game of the Week will feature Cape Fear vs. Jack Britt in a matchup with two evenly matched teams and top-notch coaching staffs.As the week continues with regularly scheduled games for the first time this season, here are The Fayetteville Obse...
Week 3 of high school football is here, and the season is beginning to shake up.
Pine Forest has commanded the respect of the entire county after two convincing wins to start the year, while five Fayetteville-area programs are searching for their first win of the season.
The 910Preps Game of the Week will feature Cape Fear vs. Jack Britt in a matchup with two evenly matched teams and top-notch coaching staffs.
As the week continues with regularly scheduled games for the first time this season, here are The Fayetteville Observer's picks and predictions for Week 3 game slate:
Watch football games on NFHS Network
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Double-digit kills, hat-trick, and a glut highlight Athlete of the Week poll How Scout Clark's 9Dime Fall League molds Fayetteville basketball players Fayetteville football players on college rosters in 2026-27 South View's third-quarter storm not enough for Hoke’s forceful run game Defensive-minded coach Eric Hall sparks Seventy-First's offense High school football in Fayetteville: Complete coverage from the 2026 seasonCape Fear (1-0) at Jack Britt (1-1)
In Week 3's 910Preps Game of the Week, Cape Fear, coming off a forced bye week after its game against Seventy-First was postponed, will travel to the Boneyard to face a Jack Britt team that came off a 31-6 loss to 8A giant Hoggard a week ago.
Jack Britt has a freshman quarterback, Caiden Thompson, who is coming into his own and finding his footing as a varsity starter, and two Division I receiving recruits: ECU commit Phoenix Barnes and Donte Snow Jr., despite the pair having relatively low numbers in the first two contests. Also, the Buccaneers' defense has been great against the pass, holding Hoggard to just 73 yards in the air, but gave up four rushing touchdowns in the loss — the bread and butter for the Colts.
Cape Fear has a more experienced QB in Tres Daughtry, who doesn't need to throw the ball consistently to change the pace of a game. He and senior receiver Landon Underwood connected on a TD pass in a Week 1 win over Douglas Byrd. But with a defense that has forced five turnovers in its two games so far, Britt will do a solid job of slowing down the duo and possibly force errors.
If the Colts can run the ball with a committee of backs, and push the pressure of Jack BRitt's defense, they'll avoid back-to-back loss to the Bucs.
The pick: Cape Fear, 34-20
Radio: Mid South Sports (94.3 FM)
Pine Forest (2-0) at Seventy-First (1-0)
Pine Forest is coming off two dazzling performances against Gray's Creek and Terry Sanford, and the "disrespect" of a 1-9 season prediction was taken "to the chin", according to Trojans defensive back Shaq Glover.
Now, Pine Forest will travel to Loyd E. Auman field to battle a Seventy-First team that amassed 59 points in the season's opener against the Bulldogs, and things are clicking at the right time.
However, the Falcons showed that they aren't prone to turning the ball over in their lone contest, while the Trojans thrive on taking the ball away, with their defense having 11 takeaways in their two games. But the Falcons have an all-around offense that can score from any place, with anyone. And while Pine Forest has shown early signs of having the same ability, Seventy-First's established defense is a lot more stingy in yards allowed, and the Trojans' offense still has to turn the ball over less,
The Trojans have arrived, but the upset against the town's best likely won't happen this Friday.
The pick: Seventy-First, 41-21
E.E. Smith (0-2) at Terry Sanford (0-2)
Both Terry Sanford and E.E. Smith are winless and fighting to enter the wins column. While the early-season slump is commonplace for Smith in recent years, the Bulldogs haven't faced a 0-2 situation since 2014. But even then, they finished the season with a conference championship, and a 9-4 overall record.
The Bulldogs are fighting against a history of being winless in the first three games for the first time since 2013. Their young, budding talent will shine against a Smith team that holds 5-star EDGE Cassell Cruickshank, especially star running back Sebastian O'Keefe who has been the only scorer for Terry Sanford this season.
The pick: Terry Sanford, 28-10
Radio: WFNC 640 AM
South View (0-2) at Gray's Creek (1-1)
The annual Battle of the Bridge between the two Hope Mills squads hasn't been much of a battle lately, with South View beating Gray's Creek 18 out of 20 games since 2005, and the last Bears win came 11 years ago in 2015.
The totality of a 0-2 record suggests a team in crisis, but isolation reveals an offense with functioning, high-powered pieces. And the Tigers have that in place; things are starting to mesh. While the Bears struggle to put points on the board, they'll lose their 11th-straight Battle of the Bridge, but they'll still put a season-high on the scoreboard.
The pick: South View, 27-24
Lumberton (0-2) at Westover (0-2)
The Wolverines have begun the season 0-2 for the second consecutive year, and although they've struggled to score and move the ball offensively, with only 146 yards of offense combined from the two games.
But if the Westover defense holds up and limits Lumberton's points, they'll pull off their first home win.
The pick: Westover, 17-12
Trinity Christian (2-0) at Metrolina Christian (0-2)
The Crusaders began rolling in Week 2 with a 60-point win. But the leading story for Trinity is all about the defensive effort, holding the opponent winless all season so far and keeping Sallie B. Howard to just 10 offensive yards.
Trinity has a great chance to go 3-0 to begin the year and be looked at as a top defense in the NCISAA with a solid front, and a Metrolina team that's struggling.
The pick: Trinity Christian, 44-6
Douglas Byrd (0-2) at Purnell Swett (0-2)
Douglas Byrd has begun their time with Joe Salas, but the experience has been the usual — woeful.
Byrd is coming off a 41-6 loss to Western Harnett and is having difficulty on defense, giving up 91 points combined in the first two.
While the Eagles continue to search for their identity to turn it into a win, Purnell Swett will come in and get its first victory.
The pick: Purnell Swett, 28-0
Disclaimer:
