The Wrap: Thursday’s high school scores, Sweet 16, Friday’s schedule, previews
Here is coverage of Thursday’s high school football games in Mecklenburg County, plus previews and a full schedule for Friday.
Thursday’s Observer coverage
Nolan Hauser’s record kick highlight Hough’s win over North Meck
West Charlotte defensive stand helps Lions stop Mallard Creek
Charlotte Catholic rallies to beat Providence
Postgame Pod: Talking Preps crew talks Thursday’s big games
(Listen)
Watch Hough’s Nolan Hauser set national kicking record
Thursday night in Huntersville, @HoughFB kicker @NolanHauser made a 48-yard field goal against @NorthMeckFB, the 57th of his career, setting a new @NFHS national high school record
@shane_connuck pic.twitter.com/oHPEi0nw7G— Langston Wertz Jr. (@langstonwertzjr) September 15, 2023
Thursday’s Scores
Butler 70, Garinger 0
Charlotte Catholic 29, Providence 22
Chambers d. West Meck, score NA
Rocky River 37, East Meck 27
Hopewell 37, Harding 12
Hough 52, North Meck 7
Myers Park 24, Marvin Ridge 7
Palisades 38, Berry 6
South Mecklenburg 46, Olympic 33
West Charlotte 17, Mallard Creek 15
Friday’s games
(Observer’s Sweet 16 rankings are included)
Mecklenburg County
Carver (0-3, 0-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Christ the King (2-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — The visiting Yellowjackets, shut out in two of three games this season, face a Christ the King defense led by Jack Yenichek (27 tackles, five for loss, and two interceptions) and C.J. Wilson (18 tackles).
Community School of Davidson (3-1, 1-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Bishop McGuinness (1-2, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — The visiting Spartans hope to wipe away the sour taste of last Friday’s loss to unbeaten Forest Hills. Bishop McGuinness has two narrow losses to 3A schools. QB Alex Waterfield has thrown for 419 yards and six touchdowns. But Spartans’ QB Connor Ferguson has nearly 1,100 passing yards.
Covenant Day (2-2, 1-0 Piedmont Athletic) at Asheville Christian (1-2, 0-1), 7 p.m. — Covenant Day QB Will Andrews and WR Jaelan Pile have connected 24 times for 504 yards and eight touchdowns this season. The host Lions are led by QB Javier Rice, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards. Asheville Christian has been scoring (34 points a game) and allowing (40) a lot this season.
Winston-Salem Prep (1-2, 0-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Corvian Community (2-2, 0-1), 7 p.m. — The visiting Phoenix has a well-balanced attack, averaging about 330 yards a game. The host Cardinals have been stout defensively, with Doug Quarles III totaling 30 tackles, 9.5 tackles for losses, nine sacks, and two caused fumbles.
Cabarrus Game of Week
A.L. Brown (2-1, 0-0 Greater Metro 4 4A) at Hickory Ridge (0-4, 0-0), 7 p.m. — It would be safe to expect plenty of scoring in this game. The Wonders are averaging 35 points a contest, with RB Mekhi Herron averaging 110 rushing yards a game. Hickory Ridge is averaging 31.5 points a game and surrendering 56. QB Caden Haywood has four receivers with 10 or more receptions.
Gaston Game of Week
Crest (3-0, 0-0 Big South 3A) at Ashbrook (0-3, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — It’s a tough conference opener for the Green Wave. Ashbrook will hope that its ground game, led by RB Jahmir Fox, can take time off the clock. Crest WR Malachi Anderson is among the region’s best, averaging more than 157 receiving yards per game. The Chargers are ranked No. 2 statewide in 3A, according to Chris Hughes’ top 10.
Iredell Game of Week
West Cabarrus (0-4, 0-0 Greater Metro 4 4A) at South Iredell (2-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Consider this about coach Brian Hinson’s Wolverines: Their four losses have come against teams with a combined record of 13-2. The host Vikings have been either hot or cold this season, scoring 34 points a game in their victories and nine in their losses.
Lincoln Game of Week
No. 8 East Lincoln (3-0, 0-0 Western Foothills 3A) at Hickory (3-0, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — Defending 3A state champion East Lincoln’s toughest conference game might be its opener. Hickory QB Brady Stober has thrown for 625 yards and eight touchdowns, with no interceptions. The visiting Mustangs have allowed only 22 points this season, led by Marcel Johnson (15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks).
Union Game of Week
Porter Ridge (4-0) at No. 10 Monroe (3-1), 7 p.m. — Monroe won the first five meetings between these teams. Porter Ridge has taken the last four, including 24-20 last year. The visiting Pirates feature their trademark option ground game, led by Danny Kennedy and Samaad Peoples. Monroe’s explosive attack is largely built around sophomores and juniors. Sophomore Nymir Kendall has rushed for seven touchdowns.
Upstate (S.C.) Game of Week
South Florence (4-0) at No. 6 South Pointe (3-1), 7:30 p.m. — RB Zion Gilbert (106 rushing yards per game) leads a South Florence offense that is averaging 43 points a contest. South Pointe counters with a defense that has 23 sacks and seven interceptions. C.J. Dixon has nine of those sacks, along with 13 quarterback hurrys.
The Picks
This week’s schedule
(kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
FRIDAY
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown (2-1, 0-0) at Hickory Ridge (0-4, 0-0)
Cox Mill (1-3, 0-0) at Mooresville (3-0, 0-0)
West Cabarrus (0-4, 0-0) at South Iredell (2-2, 0-0)
Big South 3A
Crest (3-0, 0-0) at Ashbrook (0-3, 0-0), 7:30
Forestview (1-2, 0-0) at North Gaston (0-3, 0-0), 7:30
Kings Mountain (3-0, 0-0) at Hunter Huss (1-2, 0-0), 7:30
Stuart Cramer (0-3, 0-0) at South Point (2-1, 0-0), 7:30
South Piedmont 3A
Concord (2-1, 0-1) at East Rowan (0-3, 0-0)
Northwest Cabarrus (3-0, 0-0) at South Rowan (1-2, 0-0)
West Rowan (0-3, 0-0) at Jesse Carson (1-2, 0-0)
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln (3-0, 0-0) at Hickory (3-0, 0-0), 7:30
Fred T. Foard (0-3, 0-0) at North Iredell (1-2, 0-0), 7:30
North Lincoln (2-1, 0-0) at Statesville (1-2, 0-0), 7:30
St. Stephens (0-3, 0-0) at West Iredell (3-0, 0-0), 7:30
Piedmont Athletic (NCISAA)
Covenant Day (2-2, 1-0) at Asheville Christian (1-2, 0-1)
Catawba Valley 2A
Bunker Hill (3-0, 0-0) at Lincolnton (0-3, 0-0), 7:30
Maiden (2-1, 0-0) at East Burke (2-1, 0-0), 7:30
Newton-Conover (1-2, 0-0) at West Caldwell (0-3, 0-0), 7:30
West Lincoln (3-0, 0-0) at Bandys (3-0, 0-0), 7:30
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Carver (0-3, 0-0) at Christ the King (2-1, 0-0)
Community School of Davidson (3-1, 1-0) at Bishop McGuinness (1-2, 0-0), 7:30
Pine Lake Prep (2-1, 0-0) at Mountain Island Charter (3-0, 0-0)
Winston-Salem Prep (1-2, 0-0) at Corvian Community (2-2, 0-1)
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City (2-2, 0-0) at Thomas Jefferson Academy (1-3, 0-0), 7:30
Cherryville (0-4, 0-0) at Shelby (1-3, 0-0), 7:30
Highland Tech (0-4, 0-0) at Burns (2-2, 0-0), 7:30
Area nonconference
Alexander Central (2-2) at Sun Valley (4-0)
Chapel Hill (3-1) at Weddington (3-1)
Cuthbertson (4-0) at South Caldwell (3-1), 7:30
Metrolina Christian (4-0) at Asheville School (1-2)
Montgomery Central (3-1) at Piedmont (0-4)
Mount Pleasant (2-2) at West Stanly (3-1)
Porter Ridge (4-0) at Monroe (3-1)
Union Academy (1-3) at Trinity (2-2), 7:30
S.C. nonconference
Andrew Jackson (1-2) at Lakewood (1-3), 7:30
Catawba Ridge (1-3) at Chester (3-1), 7:30
Clover (0-3) at Dorman (1-2), 7:30
Lugoff-Elgin (1-3) at Fort Mill (0-3), 7:30
Northwestern (2-1) at Gaffney (3-1), 7:30
Trinity Christian, NC (2-0) at Indian Land (3-1), 7:30
South Florence (4-0) at South Pointe (3-1), 7:30
York (3-0) at Rock Hill (2-1), 7:30
Open week
Mecklenburg: Ardrey Kell, Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Country Day, Charlotte Latin, Hickory Grove Christian, Independence, Lake Norman Charter, Providence Day, SouthLake Christian.
Area: Cannon School, Central Cabarrus, East Gaston, Forest Hills, Jay M. Robinson, Lake Norman, Parkwood
South Carolina: Buford, Lancaster, Nation Ford
