The Pinecrest football team takes a 3-0 record into tonight's first road game of the season at West Johnston (1-2).

The Wildcats have dropped two in a row, including a 42-7 trouncing by Fuquay-Varina last Friday. But after practice Wednesday, Patriot coach Chris Metzger provided some pretty convincing reasons that the team from Benson represents the toughest test for his squad this season.

"We know Fuquay-Varina," he said, alluding to the team that beat the Patriots 41-7 in the second round of the 2009 state playoffs. "They (West Johnston) played South Johnston (21-23 loss) which was in the 3AA state title game and they played Overhills (27-6) and beat them worse than we did. That tells you the quality of the team."

Pinecrest jumped out to a 14-0 lead against West Johnston last year at home. The Wildcats drew even before the Patriots pulled out a 27-14 victory.

For the second game in a row, Pinecrest will be without five players that were suspended in the aftermath of the fighting incident in the Union Pines game two weeks ago. The team is generally in good health with the exception of offensive lineman Jerod McKenzie (knee) and safety Hunter Ocheltree (hand). The Patriots are expected to rely on a running attack that is averaging 282 yards per game.

Senior Damion Pride has scored seven touchdowns in three games while picking up 193 yards on 33 carries. Senior running mate Raphael Alston leads the team in yards from scrimmage with 239 on 28 attempts. He has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the last two games.

Junior quarterback Travis Scales has rushed for 210 yards on 28 carries. The Patriots have gone to the air sparingly, completing just seven passes in 18 attempts for 134 yards and one touchdown.

The Patriot defense and special teams accounted for a total of 12 turnovers in the first two games. They were shut out in that department in last week's 24-6 win against Overhills. But junior D.J. Simpson blocked a punt that set up a field goal by Jeremy Brock.

Metzger is anticipating an angry West Johnston team that is coming off two losses in a row.

"This is Super Bowl IV," the coach said. "We have to travel to a hostile environment and prepare our kids for the unexpected. The bottom line is we have to play our best game to date."

Contact Charlie Bergmann at cbergmann@nc.rr.com.