Friday’s Charlotte-area high school football previews, schedule
(Observer’s rankings are included)
Mecklenburg County
Charlotte Christian (3-4, 0-3 Big South 4A) at Christ School (2-4, 2-2), 7 p.m. – The visiting Knights try to bounce back from last week’s 48-47 overtime loss to Providence Day. DB Drew Waldrop leads the defense with 68 tackles (and two sacks). Christ School is a handful. The Greenies took unbeaten Maiden to overtime before losing earlier this season.
Charlotte Country Day (1-6, 0-3 Big South 4A) at No. 13 Charlotte Latin (7-1, 2-1), 7 p.m. – The host Hawks will try to pad their playoff resume here, with QB Justin Wheeler (1,803 passing yards, 16 touchdowns) testing a Buccaneer defense that has not fared well this season against opponents with strong air attacks.
Christ the King (2-6, 1-3 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Community School of Davidson (6-2, 4-0), 7 p.m. – The Crusaders, who snapped a five-game losing streak last Friday, are included in some 1A playoff projections and would have their hopes boosted in a big way by winning this game. The host Spartans, playing for the third time in eight days, can clinch at least a tie for the conference title by winning this contest.
East Mecklenburg (1-7, 1-3 Southwestern 4A) at No. 10 Charlotte Catholic (6-2, 4-1), 7 p.m. – This is not a good spot for an Eagle defense that has surrendered 48 or more points in five of its last six games. The host Cougars are coming off a narrow loss to Butler and have three offensive backs averaging 60 or more rushing yards a game.
Hickory Grove Christian (5-2, 0-1 Western Football Conference) at Covenant Day (1-6, 0-1), 7 p.m. – The visiting Lions have lost two straight and need a victory here to keep their playoff hopes going. The Lions move behind RB Sean Dickey, while QB Daniel Nelson’s air game leads Covenant Day, which played well last week in a loss to Anson County.
North Mecklenburg (4-3, 2-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at Hopewell (1-7, 0-4), 7 p.m. – The visiting Vikings have plenty to play for – namely, a possible playoff berth. They had won four of five before last week’s 30-0 loss to Chambers. Offense has been a huge problem for Hopewell, with the Titans shut out in four of their last five games.
Olympic (5-2, 2-1 South Meck 4A) at No. 14 Ardrey Kell (5-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. – This game has huge playoff implications, with four South Meck 4A teams either 5-2 or 6-2. Junior QB Elijah Holmes (1,352 passing yards) leads an Olympic attack that can move effectively in the air or on the ground.
Pine Lake Prep (4-3) at Lake Norman Charter (5-2), 7 p.m. – RB’s Noah Murphy and Colby Lane are each averaging more than 80 rushing yards per game for Pine Lake Prep. The host Knights, who had a three-game winning streak snapped last week by Community School of Davidson, also prefer to run, with 1,600 rushing yards and about 900 passing yards this season.
Rabun Gap (6-1, 4-0 Big South 4A) at Providence Day (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m. – Can any private school in the NCISAA stop Rabun Gap this season? This is the last chance for a Big South team to do it. The visiting Eagles are averaging about 270 rushing yards per game. They’re facing a Providence Day team that has about 1,500 passing yards this season behind QB Grantt Logan. The winner probably will need at least four touchdowns.
Rocky River (2-6, 1-3 Southwestern 4A) at Independence (3-4, 2-2), 7 p.m. – The visiting Ravens have a chance to play spoiler here against a neighborhood rival. Independence still has a shot at a playoff berth. The Patriots’ defense has been strong in all but losses to Marvin Ridge and Providence this season.
No. 15 South Mecklenburg (6-2, 2-1 South Meck 4A) at No. 4 Myers Park (6-2, 3-0), 7 p.m. – LB Matthew Reddick leads a Sabre defense that seems to make the big play when needed. That defense will get a bigtime test, however, from Mustang QB Lucas Lenhoff (more than 2,000 passing yards) a host of speedy receivers. One interesting sidelight: former Myers Park RB Jacob Newman returns in a South Mecklenburg uniform. He has 1,225 yards rushing, 249 yards receiving.
SouthLake Christian (0-6, 0-2 Piedmont Athletic) at High Point Christian (3-4, 0-2), 7 p.m. – The winner gets third place in the conference. SouthLake Christian has been unable to get its ground game going this season, averaging a bit more than 90 yards a game as a team – less than the 97 yards a game that High Point Christian RB Myles Crisp is averaging.
West Cabarrus (3-5) at No. 1 Hough (8-0), 7 p.m. – The visiting Wolverines feature one of the area’s promising young QB’s, in sophomore Atreyu Cooper. The Wolves also play solid defense, with the exception of last week’s 40-14 loss to Mooresville. Despite this being a nonconference game, Hough can’t afford a slip-up, as it pursues one of the top seeds in the upcoming 4A playoffs.
West Charlotte (6-2, 2-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 2 Chambers (7-1, 3-1), 7 p.m. – The visiting Lions are heading to a 3A playoff berth (and possibly a high seed) behind QB Josh Mahatha and a strong air game. For Chambers, this is a chance to continue to tuneup for the playoffs and a bid for a third straight state title.
West Mecklenburg (4-5, 1-4 Queen City 3A-4A) at Mallard Creek (3-3, 2-2), 7 p.m. – This game matches teams with young talent, and Mallard Creek still has faint playoff hopes. Keep an eye on West Mecklenburg’s Beady Waddell V (the head coach’s son), who has 90 tackles (17 for losses) this season.
(NOTE:
Providence’s game at
Garinger is canceled, with Providence winning by forfeit)
Outside Mecklenburg
Metrolina Christian (7-1, 2-0 Piedmont Athletic) at Cabarrus Warriors (6-2, 4-0), 7 p.m. – The conference championship and a high seed in the upcoming N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs are at stake here. LB Julian Mercer has 48 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 17 sacks for Metrolina Christian. Sophomore QB Tyler Green has thrown for 1,565 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.
No. 8 Shelby (7-1, 4-0 South Piedmont 1A-2A) at East Gaston (5-3, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. – QB Daylin Lee (1,732 passing yards, 22 touchdowns) leads the Shelby attack. The Golden Lions hope to stay unbeaten for their big game next Friday against Burns. But it might not be easy. East Gaston is vastly improved. The Warriors gave Burns fits in a 45-38 overtime loss last week. RB Justin Hill is averaging 130 rushing yards a game and leads the attack.
West Rowan (5-2, 4-0 South Piedmont 3A) at Concord (5-2, 5-0), 7 p.m. – The Falcons are averaging 50.5 points in their last four games. They face a Concord defense that has played well in all but losses to the Cabarrus Warriors (6-2 record) and Jay M. Robinson (7-1). The winner of this game gets the conference championship.
-- Steve Lyttle
This week’s schedule
(all kickoffs at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
Thursday
Central Carolina 1A-2A
Lexington (1-5, 1-3) at North Rowan (5-2, 3-1), 6:30
Friday
Queen City 3A-4A
North Mecklenburg (4-3, 2-2) at Hopewell (1-7, 0-4), 7
West Charlotte (6-2, 2-2) at Chambers (7-1, 3-1), 7
West Mecklenburg (4-5, 1-4) at Mallard Creek (3-3, 2-2), 7
South Meck 4A
Olympic (5-2, 2-1) at Ardrey Kell (5-2, 2-1), 7
South Mecklenburg (6-2, 2-1) at Myers Park (6-2, 3-0), 7
Southwestern 4A
East Mecklenburg (1-7, 1-3) at Charlotte Catholic (6-2, 4-1), 7
Rocky River (2-6, 1-3) at Independence (3-4, 2-2), 7
(Providence def. Garinger, forfeit)
Big South 4A (NCISAA)
Charlotte Christian (3-4, 0-3) at Christ School (2-4, 2-2), 7
Charlotte Country Day (1-6, 0-3) at Charlotte Latin (7-1, 2-1), 7
Rabun Gap (6-1, 4-0) at Providence Day (4-3, 2-1), 7
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown (4-4, 1-4) at Mooresville (4-4, 3-1)
Cox Mill (3-4, 1-3) at Hickory Ridge (6-2, 4-0)
Lake Norman (6-2, 3-1) at South Iredell (2-6, 1-3)
Southern Carolina 4A
Cuthbertson (3-5, 1-2) at Weddington (7-1, 3-0), 7
Marvin Ridge (6-1, 3-0) at Sun Valley (2-6, 1-2), 7
Porter Ridge (4-2, 1-2) at Piedmont (2-6, 0-3), 7
Northwestern 3A-4A
Alexander Central (4-4, 1-2) at Hibriten (5-3, 2-2)
South Caldwell (6-1, 3-1) at Ashe County (1-6, 0-3)
Watauga (6-2, 3-0) at Freedom (4-3, 1-2)
Sandhills 3A-4A
Hoke County (4-5, 2-3) at Pinecrest (6-2, 3-1)
Scotland County (5-2, 2-1) at Lee County (5-3, 2-2)
Southern Lee (0-7, 0-4) at Union Pines (1-7, 0-3), 7
Big South 3A
Hunter Huss (0-7, 0-5) at Crest (5-2, 5-0)
Kings Mountain (7-1, 5-0) at Ashbrook (1-6, 1-4)
Stuart Cramer (4-4, 2-3) at North Gaston (1-7, 1-4)
South Point (5-3, 3-2) at Forestview (4-4, 3-2)
South Piedmont 3A
Jesse Carson (2-5, 1-3) at Central Cabarrus (1-6, 1-3), 7
South Rowan (2-6, 1-3) at East Rowan (0-7, 0-4), 7
West Rowan (5-2, 4-0) at Concord (5-2, 5-0), 7
Western Foothills 3A
Fred T. Foard (0-7, 0-5) at Hickory (5-3, 4-1), 7
North Iredell (2-5, 2-3) at East Lincoln (5-2, 3-2), 7
Statesville (7-0, 5-0) at St. Stephens (1-6, 1-4), 7
West Iredell (1-5, 1-4) at North Lincoln (6-2, 4-1), 7
Rocky River 2A-3A
Monroe (4-1, 2-0) at West Stanly (2-4, 0-2), 7
Parkwood (4-2, 2-1) at Anson County (3-5, 0-2), 7
Piedmont Athletic (NCISAA)
Metrolina Christian (7-1, 2-0) at Cabarrus Warriors (6-2, 2-0), 7
SouthLake Christian (0-6, 0-2) at High Point Christian (3-4, 0-2), 7
Western Football Conference (NCISAA)
Hickory Grove Christian (5-2, 0-1) at Covenant Day (1-6, 0-1), 7
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys (2-4, 0-4) at West Caldwell (0-7, 0-5)
Bunker Hill (7-1, 4-1) at Newton-Conover (3-4, 3-2)
Maiden (8-0, 5-0) at Lincolnton (4-4, 4-1)
West Lincoln (6-2, 3-2) at East Burke (1-5, 0-4)
Mountain Foothills 2A
Hendersonville (7-1, 3-0) at Brevard (3-4, 1-2)
Patton (2-5, 0-3) at Chase (7-1, 2-1)
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Christ the King (2-6, 1-3) at Community School of Davidson (6-2, 4-0), 7
Mountain Island Charter (7-1, 4-1) at Carver (4-4, 2-2), 7
Winston-Salem Prep (0-7, 0-4) at Bishop McGuinness (1-6, 0-4), 7
Central Carolina 1A-2A
East Davidson (4-4, 2-2) at Thomasville (6-1, 3-1)
South Davidson (1-6, 1-4) at West Davidson (0-7, 0-4)
South Piedmont 1A-2A
Burns (6-2, 4-0) at Cherryville (2-6, 1-3)
Highland Tech (0-7, 0-4) at Thomas Jefferson Academy (4-3, 2-3)
Shelby (7-1, 4-0) at East Gaston (5-3, 3-1)
Western Highlands 1A-2A
C.D. Owen (2-6, 1-3) at Avery County (1-7, 1-3)
Mitchell County (6-2, 4-0) at Rosman (0-7, 0-5)
Mountain Heritage (5-2, 3-1) at Madison County (3-4, 2-2)
Yadkin Valley 1A-2A
Jay M. Robinson (7-1, 3-0) at South Stanly (1-6, 0-3), 7
North Stanly (3-4, 2-1) at Mount Pleasant (6-2, 3-0)
Union Academy (0-8, 0-3) at Albemarle (1-6, 1-2)
Mecklenburg nonconference
Pine Lake Prep (4-3) at Lake Norman Charter (5-2), 7
West Cabarrus (3-5) at Hough (8-0), 7
Nonconference
Camden (SC) Military (1-1) at Asheville School (5-2)
Carolina Bearcats (2-4) vs. Sandhills Titans (2-3), at Weddington Optimist Park
Hickory Hawks (2-5) at Great Falls, SC (5-3)
Polk County (4-3) at Draughn (5-3)
Trinity Christian (2-4) at Forest Hills (5-3)
Saturday
Pioneer Football League
Georgia Force (4-2, 3-0) at Cabarrus Stallions (3-4, 2-1), 5:30
Tuesday
Catawba Valley 2A
East Burke (1-5, 0-4) at Bandys (2-4, 0-4), 7
