It’s opening night! Here’s Friday’s Charlotte-area high school football preview

The high school football season kicks off in earnest Friday night. Here is Friday’s high school football preview for the Charlotte-area.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Berry Academy at East Mecklenburg, 7 p.m. – The visiting Cardinals feature an experienced offensive line but have new faces at many other positions. And their head coach, Andrew Howard, stepped down last week to become an administrator in Gaston County. Chris Redding is interim head coach. The Eagles have 11 returning starters and could pull some surprises this season, with highly regarded sophomore QB Takeo Massey.

Charlotte Latin at Christ School, 7 p.m. – An inexperienced Hawks’ team travels to the Asheville area for a meeting with the tough Greenies. Christ School has most of its running backs and receivers returning from a year ago. Latin’s 36-player roster lists 13 freshmen and sophomores.

Community School of Davidson at Bessemer City, 7 p.m. – This could be a big year for the visiting Spartans, who have 18 starters back from an 8-3 playoff team. The Spartans are strong up the middle, and that could spell trouble for a Bessemer City team that likes to run the football.

Corvian Community at Christ the King, 7 p.m. – Introducing one of Mecklenburg County’s two new football-playing high schools in 2022 – Corvian Community. The north Charlotte charter school faces a Christ the King team that went 3-8 last season but reached the 1A playoffs and have a standout returning RB in Fausto Arias.

Garinger at Harding, 7 p.m. – Garinger returns to varsity football after a two-year absence. The Wildcats have about 25 players on the roster, and head coach Eric Bennett says he is viewing this season as a chance for growth. Harding has only four returning starters, but one of them is QB Diego Parks, who passed for nearly 1,000 yards last season.

Jay M. Robinson at Independence, 7 p.m. – This is not an easy opener for the Patriots. The visiting Bulldogs are a 2A team but have nearly everyone back from a 10-2 team that averaged 36 points a game last season. RB William Suttles is a handful. Independence counters with an experienced defense, led by LB Joshua Iseah, DT Khaleil Hoke and CB Joseph Reddish. A victory here would be a big boost for Independence.

Legion Collegiate (SC) at No. 2 Providence Day, 7 p.m. – With tons of college-level talent, the host Chargers open their bid for a second straight Division 1 school state championship. QB Jadyn Davis, ranked as the nation’s No. 2 quarterback in the junior class, leads the Charger attack. Legion Collegiate, a Rock Hill-based charter school, has a strong defense, led by DB Judge Collier, who has a host of FBS offers.

North Mecklenburg at A.L. Brown, 7:30 p.m. – The Vikings travel to Kannapolis with a rather young team. They have experienced offensive and defensive lines but will need quick development from the skill position players. A.L. Brown stumbled a bit last year (5-5), at least by A.L. Brown standards, but QB Ashnah Lowery leads an experienced offensive unit.

Palisades at West Mecklenburg, 7 p.m. – Palisades joins Corvian Community in launching its varsity football program Friday. Head coach Jonathan Simmons thinks QB Jared Patulski and a group of three speedy freshmen receivers can get the offense moving. But it’s a tough opener for Palisades, as the host Hawks return 15 starters from a 6-4 team, including highly regarded MLB/RB Beady Waddell V, son of the head coach.

Porter Ridge at Rocky River, 7 p.m. – A dozen starters return from last season’s 9-2 Porter Ridge team, including a key part of the team’s triple-option offense, in RB Steven Zayachkowsky. Rocky River’s new head coach, Tyson Fernandez, says his goal is to see his team finish tackles and stop opponents in the red zone. Both of those were problems for the Ravens last year.

Providence at Ardrey Kell, 7 p.m. – This could be the game of the night in Mecklenburg County. The visiting Panthers feature what might be the state’s biggest offensive line, featuring five FBS recruits. Ardrey Kell, meanwhile, is probably the county’s most experienced team, with seniors manning most starting positions. Look for Providence to try and establish its running game, to keep Ardrey Kell’s explosive offense off the field (Streaming live on Bahakelsports.com, re-air at 11 p.m. on WCCB, Channel 18)

South Mecklenburg at No. 6 Charlotte Catholic, 7:30 p.m. – This neighborhood rivalry features two teams with inexperienced defenses. The visiting Sabres lost most leading players off a defense that keyed a 9-3 season. Charlotte Catholic has only two returning starters on defense. Offensively, the host Cougars look tough, behind QB Sean Boyle and TE Jack Larsen, a Notre Dame commit.

SouthLake-Davidson Day Eagles at Lake Norman Charter, 7 p.m. – Davidson Day hasn’t fielded a football team in several years but returns to the sport with SouthLake Christian. The Eagles have a pair of explosive wide receivers in Jim Burnham and Larson Gazzaway. Lake Norman Charter returns 13 starters from a 5-4 team and has a potential standout in sophomore QB Grayson Harvey.

Sun Valley at Olympic, 7 p.m. – Sun Valley has struggled in recent seasons, but new head coach Ryan Smith has returnees in QB Brady Turiff (1,109 passing yards last season) and RB Toney McFadden (974 rushing yards). Olympic lost some younger players to expansion school Palisades, but coach Brandon Thompson’s team has a standout in QB Elijah Holmes (1,439 passing yards last year).

Trinity Collegiate (SC) at Charlotte Country Day, 7 p.m. – Defense will be a key for Charlotte Country Day this season, with DE Spencer Mermans and DB’s Dillon Kercher and Jack Blythe leading the way. Darlington-based Trinity Collegiate went 11-2 last season and runs the ball about three-quarters of the time.

Wake Christian at Hickory Grove Christian, 7 p.m. – Hickory Grove head coach Tad Baucom’s rebuilding project enters Year 3, and the Lions had a winning record (5-4) last fall. QB Jordan Adams and RB Anthony Hawkins lead a strong offense.

No. 5 Weddington at No. 9 Charlotte Christian, 7 p.m. – This is another of Friday’s feature matchups. Weddington has a corps of speedy receivers with interest from several FBS schools. The host Knights counter with QB Cam Estep, RB Kyron Jones, and several outstanding pass-catchers of their own.

West Charlotte at No. 15 Butler, 7 p.m. – The visiting Lions have been without head coach Sam Greiner for several weeks. But they have a powerful offensive line, led by N.C. State commit Darion Rivers. Butler has only two starters returning on offense, but a lot of eyes will be on a newcomer, sophomore QB Zach Lawrence, who is very highly regarded.

Cardinal Gibbons vs. No. 1 Chambers, at Rock Hill District 3 Stadium, 4:30 p.m. Saturday – The rematch of last year’s 4A state championship game, which Cardinal Gibbons won 14-2, is being played in South Carolina. Chambers has lost RB Daylan Smothers but has a host of returnees, including nine on offense. Cardinal Gibbons returns DE Donovan Dozier, who has several offers from Power 5 schools, along with much of its defense. Tickets for the game are $12 (Live TV, WCCB; streaming Bahakel Sports)

Quick Links

Friday’s High school football preview: 8.19.22

Dutch Fork holds off Hough in kickoff classic

Mallard Creek rolls past Myers Park in kickoff classic

Charlotte Observer 2022 High School Football Kickoff Special

Preseason All-Observer team

Initial NC Mr. Football Nominees announced

Preseason NC Top 10 polls

OUTSIDE MECKLENBURG

No. 12 Hickory Ridge at Hunter Huss, 7:30 p.m. – Here’s a chance to see one of the region’s most explosive passing attacks, in Hickory Ridge. Receiver Christian Hamilton, a UNC commit, had nearly 1,000 receiving yards a year ago. Aaron Carey rushed for nearly 600 yards and is an excellent pass receiver.

No. 10 Kings Mountain at No. 7 Shelby, 7:30 p.m. – Shelby is the defending 2A state champion and has most of its key players back. Kings Mountain returns nearly all of its skill-position players. And these teams are local rivals. It sounds like one of the state’s best opening-weekend games. Shelby QB Daylin Lee threw for more than 3,800 yards last season. Kings Mountain defenders A.J. Richardson and Jake Lloyd had a combined total of 164 tackles a year ago. This should be a good one.

St. Pauls at Metrolina Christian, 7:30 p.m. – Metrolina Christian’s original opening-game foe canceled, so the Warriors looked around … and found St. Pauls, a high-scoring team from Eastern North Carolina that lost in the state finals two years ago and in the semifinals last fall. The Bulldogs averaged 46 points a game and returning RB Kemarion Baldwin, who rushed for nearly 2,500 yards a year ago. Metrolina Christian reached the private school Division 2 finals last fall and return their entire defensive line and linebacking corps. The Warrior defense will get a strong test from St. Pauls.

▪ Note: most games available via streaming at NFHS Network.

The Sweet 16

This week’s picks

Each week, some of the co-hosts from The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show will pick a selection of games

This week’s schedule

THURSDAY, AUG. 18

Dutch Fork 27, Hough 24, F

Lake Norman 55, West Iredell 0

Ledford 41, North Stanly 14

Mallard Creek 21, Myers Park 3

Mount Tabor 45, Richmond Senior 7

North Rowan 34, East Rowan 14

South Iredell 44, North Iredell 7

FRIDAY, AUG. 19

Mecklenburg nonconference

Berry Academy at East Mecklenburg, 7

Charlotte Latin at Christ School, 7

Community School of Davidson at Bessemer City

Corvian Community at Christ the King, 7

Garinger at Harding, 7

Jay M. Robinson at Independence, 7

Legion Collegiate (SC) at Providence Day, 7

North Mecklenburg at A.L. Brown

Palisades at West Mecklenburg, 7

Porter Ridge at Rocky River, 7

Providence at Ardrey Kell, 7

South Mecklenburg at Charlotte Catholic

SouthLake-Davidson Day at Lake Norman Charter, 7

Sun Valley at Olympic, 7

Trinity Collegiate (SC) at Charlotte Country Day, 7

Wake Christian at Hickory Grove Christian, 7

Weddington at Charlotte Christian, 7

West Charlotte at Butler, 7

Area nonconference

Alexander Central at Hickory

Andrews vs. Hickory Hawks, at Lenoir-Rhyne Univ.

Ashbrook at Concord

Avery County at Cherryville

Bandys at St. Stephens

Bunker Hill at Stuart Cramer

Cabarrus Warriors at North Raleigh Christian, 7

Carolina Bearcats at Highland Tech

Central Cabarrus at Mount Pleasant

Crest at Freedom

Cuthbertson at Parkwood, 7

Davie County at Mooresville

East Rutherford at West Henderson

Forest Hills at Piedmont

Forestview at Burns

Hibriten at East Lincoln

Hickory Ridge at Hunter Huss

Jesse Carson at Statesville

Kings Mountain at Shelby

Maiden at Fred T. Foard

Marvin Ridge at Monroe, 7

McDowell at R-S Central

Mountain Heritage at Chase

North Iredell at South Iredell

Northwest Cabarrus at West Cabarrus

Patton at East Burke

Pine Lake Prep at Thomas Jefferson Academy

Polk County at Newton-Conover

St. Pauls at Metrolina Christian, 7

South Caldwell at West Caldwell

South Point at Lincolnton

South Rowan at Parkland

South Stanly at West Stanly

Thomas Jefferson Academy at Draughn

Thomasville at Albemarle

Union Academy at Wake Prep, 7

Watauga at T.C. Roberson, 7

West Lincoln at North Lincoln

West Rowan at Salisbury

Wilkes Central at Ashe County

SATURDAY, AUG. 20

Nonconference

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Chambers, at Rock Hill, 4:30

Idle: Covenant Day