Friday’s Charlotte-area high school football previews, full schedule
Prep football preview, schedule
(Observer’s rankings are included)
Mecklenburg County
Asheville School (4-2, 1-0 Western Football Conference) at Hickory Grove Christian (5-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. – The visiting Blues scored 165 points in a 3-0 start but have lost two of their last three. QB Rayden Aphayvong has thrown for 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns, with no interceptions. Lions’ RB Sean Dickey is averaging nearly 100 yards rushing per game, and the hosts will try to control the clock and keep the ball away from Aphayvong.
Berry Academy (3-4) at West Charlotte (5-2), 7 p.m. – The host Lions, headed for the 3A playoffs, get a final nonconference test and a chance to clinch a winning season. QB Josh Mahatha and 6-5 WR Chance Morrow give West Charlotte a strong passing threat. But Berry Academy’s secondary picked off three Olympic passes last week.
No. 4 Butler (5-2, 4-0 Southwestern 4A) at No. 10 Charlotte Catholic (6-1, 4-0), 7 p.m. – This is the conference championship game and a test of how the host Cougars, the defending 3A state champion, will fare in the playoffs against 4A competition. These are two of the strongest defensive teams in the area, with Butler allowing 10 points a game and the Cougars surrendering an average of 12 per contest.
Cabarrus Warriors (5-1, 1-0 Piedmont Athletic) at SouthLake Christian (0-5, 0-1), 7 p.m. – The host Eagles must find a way to slow down Warriors’ QB Tyler Green, a sophomore who is averaging almost 250 passing yards per game.
No. 2 Chambers (6-1, 2-1 Queen City 3A-4A) at North Mecklenburg (4-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. – The visiting Cougars had 60-point-plus outings sandwiched around their Sept. 24 loss to Hough and look like a state title contender again. The host Vikings are headed for their best season since going 9-4 in 2017. They have won two in a row.
No. 7 Charlotte Latin (7-0, 2-0 Big South 4A) at Rabun Gap (5-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. – The conference title likely will be decided in this game, and it could be a preview of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A championship. The host Eagles, located in northeast Georgia, are a powerhouse, with two running backs averaging 100 or more yards per game. Charlotte Latin prefers the air, and junior QB Justin Wheeler has thrown for more than 1,700 yards.
Christ School (1-4, 1-2 Big South 4A) at Charlotte Country Day (1-5, 0-2), 7 p.m. – The host Buccaneers try to make it two in a row. Michael Woodard (114 yards, three touchdowns) and Dillon Kercher (93 yards) led a strong ground game in last week’s 24-7 victory over North Raleigh Christian. Christ School LB Cayden Jones has four sacks and six tackles for loss this season.
Covenant Day (1-5) at Anson County (2-5), 7:30 p.m. – Covenant Day faces a public school opponent in football for the first time in the program’s five seasons. WR Alex Koulovatos has 24 receptions this season. The host Bearcats’ top offensive weapon is RB Toney Gainey, a breakaway threat.
East Mecklenburg (1-6, 1-2 Southwestern 4A) at Independence (2-4, 1-2), 7 p.m. – Long-time area residents might remember when this game was the east-side rivalry contest. Independence QB Cam Kromah is averaging about 180 passing yards per contest. Preview goes here. The Eagles have beaten Independence only twice in this century – in 2016 and 2017.
Harding (2-6, 0-3 South Meck 4A) at No. 14 Ardrey Kell (4-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. – Harding QB Diego Parks accounts for about 170 yards’ total offense per game. Ardrey Kell’s playoff hopes would be bolstered with a victory here, especially with conference co-leader Olympic next on the schedule.
Hopewell (1-6, 0-3 Queen City 3A-4A) at West Mecklenburg (3-5, 0-4), 7 p.m. – Both teams had promising starts but have found the going tough in the loaded Queen City 3A-4A Conference. Hopewell’s defense must stop Hawks’ RB Daisean Hall, who has four 100-yard rushing games this season.
No. 1 Hough (7-0, 4-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at Mallard Creek (3-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. – Hough’s first-team defense has surrendered only 17 points in the last five games. The host Mavericks have been inconsistent offensively this season and were hurt by mistakes in last week’s 17-14 loss to North Mecklenburg. Hough can clinch at least a conference title tie with a victory.
Lake Norman Charter (5-1) at Community School of Davidson (4-2), 7 p.m. – A pair of very good north Mecklenburg smaller schools square off here. The visiting Knights are led by LB Brent Alexander-Ryerson, who has seven sacks, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery this season. The host Spartans have won three straight, with QB Jameson Davies averaging 150 passing yards a game.
Olympic (5-1, 2-0 South Meck 4A) at No. 15 South Mecklenburg (5-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. – Olympic reaches the tough part of its schedule, facing the Sabres, Ardrey Kell and Myers Park over the regular season’s final three weeks. QB Elijah Holmes has thrown for nearly 1,200 yards. The host Sabres, part of a four-way race for playoff berths, must avoid a slow start like last week, when they fell behind Ardrey Kell 21-0 in the first quarter.
Providence Day (3-3, 1-1 Big South 4A) at No. 25 Charlotte Christian (3-3, 0-2), 7 p.m. – It’s a meeting of two teams with far more talent than their records would indicate. Chargers’ QB Grantt Logan is averaging about 200 passing yards per game. Charlotte Christian has a well-rounded offense, with RB Kyron Jones as the big-play threat.
Rocky River (2-5, 1-2 Southwestern 4A) at Providence (3-4, 1-2), 7 p.m. – The visiting Ravens have a tough defense, led by LB Jamarion Anderson (43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks). Providence is building momentum, scoring 77 points in its last two games behind a big offensive line and RB Jamar Price.
Winston-Salem Prep (0-5, 0-2 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Christ the King (1-6, 0-3), 7 p.m. – The host Crusaders hope to snap a five-game losing streak against a Winston-Salem Prep team that is averaging more than three turnovers per game.
Outside Mecklenburg
Lee County (5-2, 2-1 Sandhills 3A-4A) at No. 4 Richmond Senior (7-1, 4-0), 11 a.m. Saturday – It’s a Saturday morning contest in Rockingham, with the host Raiders facing one of the state’s best 3A teams. They’ll have to stop Lee County QB Will Patterson, who has thrown for 1,372 yards. WR Tyric McKendall has five touchdown catches. The Raiders have won five straight and are averaging about 300 rushing yards in those games.
Parkwood (4-1, 2-0 Rocky River 2A-3A) at No. 24 Monroe (3-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. – WR Isaiah Mobley (23 catches, 438 yards) leads the Parkwood offense, for a team hoping to land a 3A playoff berth. Monroe’s schedule has been marked with postponements and cancellations, and Friday’s game will be only the second in 28 days for Monroe. RB Nate Crosby is averaging about 105 rushing yards per game.
No. 9 Maiden (7-0, 4-0 Catawba Valley 2A) at Bunker Hill (7-0, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. – The conference championship likely will be decided here. QB Ethan Rhodes is the engine driving Maiden, with 1,195 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and just one interception. Bunker Hill’s specialty is defense. The Bears are allowing an average of 5.8 points a game. Their defense is averaging one interception and one fumble recovery per contest.
No. 23 Watauga (5-2, 2-0 Northwestern 3A-4A) at Hibriten (5-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. – It’s the third straight tough game for Watauga, but a victory here goes a long way to sealing the conference title. The Pioneers like to run the ball, but they can throw it when needed. Maddox Greene fired a 44-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Shirley with 19 seconds left last week to beat Alexander Central. Hibriten leads the conference in nearly every defensive category. These schools are only 28 miles apart but haven’t played each other in five years.
-- Steve Lyttle
This week’s schedule
(all kickoffs at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday
South Piedmont 3A
Jesse Carson 45, East Rowan 7
Thursday
Nonconference
Chester, SC (4-3) vs. Hickory Hawks (3-4), at Lenoir-Rhyne Univ., 7
Friday
Queen City 3A-4A
Hopewell (1-6, 0-3) at West Mecklenburg (3-5, 0-4), 7
Hough (7-0, 4-0) at Mallard Creek (3-2, 2-1), 7
Chambers (6-1, 2-1) at North Mecklenburg (4-2, 2-1), 7
South Meck 4A
Harding (2-6, 0-3) at Ardrey Kell (4-2, 1-1), 7
Olympic (5-1, 2-0) at South Mecklenburg (5-2, 1-1), 7
Southwestern 4A
Butler (5-2, 4-0) at Charlotte Catholic (6-1, 4-0), 7
East Mecklenburg (1-6, 1-2) at Independence (2-4, 1-2), 7
Rocky River (2-5, 1-2) at Providence (3-4, 1-2), 7
Big South 4A (NCISAA)
Charlotte Latin (7-0, 2-0) at Rabun Gap (5-1, 3-0), 7
Christ School (1-4, 1-2) at Charlotte Country Day (1-5, 0-2), 7
Providence Day (3-3, 1-1) at Charlotte Christian (3-3, 0-2), 7
Greater Metro 4 4A
Lake Norman (5-2, 2-1) at Cox Mill (3-3, 1-2)
Mooresville (3-4, 2-1) at West Cabarrus (3-4, 2-2)
South Iredell (2-5, 1-2) at A.L. Brown (3-4, 0-4)
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson (3-4, 1-1) at Porter Ridge (3-2, 0-2), 7
Piedmont (2-5, 0-2) at Marvin Ridge (5-1, 2-0), 7
Sun Valley (2-5, 1-1) at Weddington (6-1, 2-0), 7
Northwestern 3A-4A
Ashe County (1-5, 0-2) at Freedom (3-3, 0-2)
South Caldwell (5-1, 2-1) at Alexander Central (4-3, 1-1)
Watauga (5-2, 2-0) at Hibriten (5-2, 2-1)
Sandhills 3A-4A
Pinecrest (5-2, 2-1) at Scotland County (5-1, 2-0)
Union Pines (1-6, 0-2) at Hoke County (3-5, 1-3)
Big South 3A
Ashbrook (1-5, 1-3) at South Point (4-3, 2-2)
Forestview (4-3, 3-1) at Crest (4-2, 4-0)
North Gaston (0-7, 0-4) at Hunter Huss (0-6, 0-4)
Stuart Cramer (4-3, 2-2) at Kings Mountain (6-1, 4-0)
South Piedmont 3A
Central Cabarrus (1-5, 1-2) at West Rowan (4-2, 3-0), 7
Concord (4-2, 4-0) at Northwest Cabarrus (4-4, 3-1), 7
Western Foothills 3A
Hickory (4-3, 3-1) at West Iredell (1-4, 1-3), 7
North Lincoln (5-2, 3-1) at Fred T. Foard (0-6, 0-4), 7
Statesville (6-0, 4-0) at North Iredell (2-4, 2-2), 7
St. Stephens (1-5, 1-3) at East Lincoln (4-2, 2-2), 7
Rocky River 2A-3A
Parkwood (4-1, 2-0) at Monroe (3-1, 1-0), 7
West Stanly (2-3, 0-1) at Forest Hills (4-3, 1-1), 7
Catawba Valley 2A
East Burke (1-4, 0-3) at Lincolnton (3-4, 3-1)
Maiden (7-0, 4-0) at Bunker Hill (7-0, 4-0)
Newton-Conover (2-4, 2-2) at Bandys (2-3, 0-3), 7
West Caldwell (0-6, 0-4) at West Lincoln (5-2, 2-2)
Mountain Foothills 2A
Brevard (2-4, 0-2) at Patton (2-4, 0-2)
Chase (6-1, 1-1) at Polk County (4-2, 2-1)
Piedmont Athletic (NCISAA)
Cabarrus Warriors (5-1, 1-0) at SouthLake Christian (0-5, 0-1), 7
High Point Christian (3-3, 0-1) at Metrolina Christian (6-1, 1-0), 7
Western Football Conference (NCISAA)
Asheville School (4-2, 1-0) at Hickory Grove Christian (5-1, 0-0), 7
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Bishop McGuinness (1-5, 0-3) at Mountain Island Charter (6-1, 3-1), 7
Carver (4-3, 2-1) at Pine Lake Prep (3-3, 3-1), 7
Winston-Salem Prep (0-5, 0-2) at Christ the King (1-6, 0-3), 7
Central Carolina 1A-2A
East Davidson (3-4, 1-2) at South Davidson (1-5, 1-3)
Salisbury (7-0, 4-0) at Lexington (1-4, 1-2)
West Davidson (0-6, 0-3) at North Rowan (4-2, 2-1)
South Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City (2-6, 1-3) at Shelby (6-1, 3-0)
East Gaston (5-2, 3-0) at Burns (5-2, 3-0)
Thomas Jefferson Academy (3-3, 1-3) at Cherryville (2-5, 1-2)
Western Highlands 1A-2A
Avery County (1-6, 1-2) at Madison County (2-3, 1-1)
Mitchell County (5-2, 3-0) at Mountain Heritage (5-1, 3-0)
Rosman (0-6, 0-4) at Draughn (3-3, 2-1)
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Mount Pleasant (5-2, 2-0) at Albemarle (1-5, 1-1)
North Stanly (2-4, 1-1) at South Stanly (1-5, 0-2)
Union Academy (0-7, 0-2) at Jay M. Robinson (6-1, 2-0)
Pioneer Football League
Georgia Force (3-2, 2-0) at Asheville Saints (3-4, 3-0), 7
Mecklenburg nonconference
Berry Academy (3-4) at West Charlotte (5-2), 7
Covenant Day (1-5) at Anson County (2-5)
Lake Norman Charter (5-1) at Community School of Davidson (4-2), 7
Other nonconference
A.C. Reynolds (4-3) at R-S Central (2-4)
Carolina Bearcats (2-4) at Highland Tech (0-7)
C.D. Owen (2-5) at West Henderson (1-6)
Saturday
Sandhills 4A
Lee County (5-2, 2-1) at Richmond Senior (7-1, 4-0), 11 a.m.
Pioneer Football
South Carolina Spartans (1-5, 0-3) at Cabarrus Stallions (2-4, 1-1), 5:30
Nonconference
Anderson Cavaliers (1-5) at Camden Military (1-4), 3
Tuesday
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Community School of Davidson (4-2, 3-0) at Winston-Salem Prep (0-5, 0-2), 6
