High school football gameday: Your guide to the weekend’s games in the Charlotte area

It’s the final weekend of the regular season for many Charlotte-area high school football teams. There are a number of rivalry games on the schedule, along with some contests that will help decide conference championships and playoff berths.

Here is a preview of the weekend’s action:

Game previews

MECKLENBURG COUNTY GAMES

Bonnie Cone Leadership (1-8) at Lake Norman Charter (7-1), 7 p.m. — Lake Norman Charter WR Major Leak has moved into second place in the Charlotte area in receiving yards (939) and has scored 18 touchdowns. The Knights’ defense, led by LB Evan Johnson (98 tackles) will be a tough obstacle for Bonnie Cone Leadership’s first-year program.

Butler (4-5, 4-1 Southwestern 4A) at No. 5 Independence (8-1, 4-1), 7 p.m. — One of the area’s best rivalries is renewed in Mint Hill. The teams split their meetings last season, with Independence winning 10-7 in the playoffs. The host Patriots are safely in the playoff field, and Butler has moved inside the 4A West cutoff line, too, but by only two spots for the 32-team field.

The Bulldogs likely will go with a junior varsity quarterback, due to an injury to Zach Lawrence. But they are a dangerous 4-5 team, featuring RB Jayden Williams (936 rushing yards) and a tough defense. Independence counters with one of the area’s most explosive offenses, led by RB Jayden Jones (1,754 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns) and QB Justin Little, who has several excellent receivers.

Chambers (5-4, 4-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 7 Mallard Creek (7-2, 5-1), 7 p.m. — Two teams with rugged defenses and strong ground games square off in a game that means a lot to Chambers. The Cougars currently sit 36th in the RPI rankings, outside the field of 32 for the playoffs. Mallard Creek is 10th and aiming at a high seed and multiple home playoff games.

Charlotte Country Day (4-6) at No. 6 Providence Day (7-2), first round of NCISAA Division 1 playoffs, 7 p.m. — The Buccaneers are big underdogs, as Providence Day begins the quest for a third straight NCISAA Division 1 title. The Chargers pummeled Charlotte Country Day 63-15 in a Sept. 13 meeting, with QB Zaid Lott throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns. But Bucs’ quarterback Khalil Wright had a strong effort last week against Charlotte Christian, completing 14 of 17 passes.

Charlotte Latin (8-2) at Christ School (2-4), first round of NCISAA Division 1 playoffs, 7 p.m. — This looks like a mismatch, right? Not so fast. The host Greenies lost to several powerhouses and were out of action for a month due to damage from Hurricane Helene. This game features two solid QB’s, in Charlotte Latin’s Troy Logan (2,015 passing yards) and Christ School’s Mason Holtzclaw, who has several top-notch receivers.

Christ the King (3-6, 3-3 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Bishop McGuinness (6-3, 3-3), 7 p.m. — Both teams appear solidly in the 1A West playoff field, so this is a game for seeding — and a little pride among the state’s two smaller Catholic high schools. Caden Fritz (94 tackles) leads a Crusader defense that has held six opponents to 20 points or less. Bishop McGuinness also specializes in defense, and DE Cayden Long has 11 sacks.

Corvian Community (9-0, 6-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Mountain Island Charter (5-4, 4-2), 7 p.m. — If you’ve got nothing else to do, you might want to check out this game, because it should be entertaining. The visiting Cardinals, aiming for a perfect regular season, feature spectacular two-way players in Cam Johnson (1,009 rushing yards) and A.J. Jackson (six interceptions). The host Raptors are led by QB Grayson Harvey, who has thrown for 2,297 yards. Figure on plenty of offense.

Cuthbertson (6-3) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-9), 7 p.m. — First-year Ballantyne Ridge has tried to defense against several outstanding passing attacks in the SoMeck 4A this season. But this week, they meet one of the area’s best ground games. RB Mason Iovino (977 yards) leads a Cavalier attack that can eat up huge chunks of time.

East Mecklenburg (1-8, 1-4 Southwestern 4A) at Providence (3-5, 2-3), 7 p.m. — QB Jackson Debe wasn’t needed much last week in Providence’s 76-0 rout of Garinger, but he threw for 114 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for two more scores. The Panthers still have hopes of a .500 season.

Hickory Grove Christian (7-3) at Covenant Day (4-4), first round of NCISAA Division 2 playoffs, 7 p.m. — Hickory Grove was off to a 6-0 start when it met Covenant Day on Sept. 20 and suffered a 40-21 loss. Covenant Day picked off two Hickory Grove passes in that game and held RB Anthony Hawkins under 100 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Covenant Day’s Logan Misocky threw for 341 yards. Hickory Grove will be hoping to change the script this time.

No. 3 Hough (8-1, 6-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at Hopewell (3-6, 1-5), 7 p.m. — The Huskie aerial attack visits neighboring Hopewell, with Hough aiming at a perfect conference season. QB Trey Blakeney has thrown for 1,867 yards, with WR Tyran Evans accounting for 671 of those yards.. Here’s a statistic the host Titans would like to end — they haven’t scored against Hough in six years. Only one of those games, a 7-0 setback in February 2021 (the COVID-delayed season) was close..

Metrolina Christian (5-4) at No. 15 Charlotte Christian (6-3), first round of NCISAA Division 1 playoffs, 7 p.m. — Each of these teams has strong ground games. Metrolina Christian RB Jeremy Williams has rushed for 1,020 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Knights’ Jamal Rule is averaging 169 rushing yards a contest.

Olympic (7-2, 4-1 SoMeck 4A) at Berry Academy (3-6, 1-4), 7 p.m. — QB Chance Cato (1,967 passing yards) leads Olympic, but the Trojans also have a good ground game, which they demonstrated a week ago when Devin Walker ran for 60 yards in a 14-13 victory over Ardrey Kell.. Berry Academy is 0-18 all-time against Olympic.

No. 16 Palisades (7-2, 5-0 SoMeck 4A) at Ardrey Kell (4-5, 3-2), 7 p.m. — It’s pretty simple for Ardrey Kell — the Knights must knock off Palisades, if they want to get into the 4A playoffs. Ardrey Kell has lost two key conference games by a total of four points. A victory would give Palisades its first conference championship in the school’s three years.

Pine Lake Prep (2-7, 2-4 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Community School of Davidson (6-3, 5-1), 7 p.m. — Here’s another neighborhood rivalry game, with the host Spartans hoping to wrap up a second-place conference finish. WR Brandon Albert has 45 pass receptions this season for an air attack that averages more than 260 yards a game. LB Chase Riggs (55 tackles, three sacks, one interception, two caused fumbles) leads a Pine Lake Prep defense that will try to stop the Spartans.

Rocky River (2-7, 1-4 Southwestern 4A) at Garinger (0-9, 0-5), 7 p.m. — The Ravens hope to wrap up a fifth-place finish in the conference against a young Garinger team that has dealt with adversity all season.

SouthLake Christian (4-4) at Trinity Christian (8-1), first round of NCISAA Division 2 playoffs — Trinity Christian is a perennial NCISAA Division 2 title contender, and this season is no different. QB Elijah Oehlke has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. That offense faces a SouthLake Christian defense featuring one of the area’s leading tacklers, in Jimmy Lapulosa (12.5 tackles a game).

South Mecklenburg (2-6, 2-3 SoMeck 4A) at Myers Park (4-5, 3-2), 7 p.m. — Here’s another neighborhood rivalry game, and this contest holds some importance for the host Mustangs. They’re 28th this week in the RPI ratings, and a loss could knocked them out of the playoffs. Freshman QB Ryan Rizzuti has stepped in as the starter and is doing well, completing 60 percent of his passes and guiding the Mustangs to two straight victories. The visiting Sabres are a tough defensive team, though, and could keep this game close.

No. 9 West Charlotte (6-2, 4-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at North Mecklenburg (4-5, 3-3), 7 p.m. — Sitting five spots outside the playoffs, North Mecklenburg would love an upset victory here. But the visiting Lions are getting better every week, thanks in part to QB Jamouri Nichols, who threw for three touchdowns and rushed for 119 yards last week.

West Mecklenburg (2-7, 1-5 Queen City 3A-4A) at Harding (1-8, 0-6), 7 p.m. — West Mecklenburg has played a lot better than its record this season, with several close losses. The Hawks’ defense is strong, led by DE Elijah Littlejohn (14 sacks) and DB Mark Foster (99 tackles). It’s been a tough season for Harding, which has surrendered 48 or more points in each of its six conference games.

TOP AREA GAMES

A.L. Brown (4-5) at Concord (4-5), 7 p.m. — Unlike many of the other rivalry games Friday night, this game carries little playoff importance. But it’s one of the biggest events of the year for the cities of Kannapolis and Concord. It’s the Battle for the Bell, and the two schools have squared off annually since 1931. It is the 15th-oldest rivalry in the nation and the oldest in North Carolina. A.L. Brown leads the rivalry 44-42-4, and you can expect a packed house (10,000) at Concord for this year’s renewal.

Hunter Huss (4-3, 3-2 Big South 3A) at No. 14 Ashbrook (7-2, 4-2), 7:30 p.m. — It would take an hour to describe the Big South title picture, but there are five teams within one game of first place. The winner of this game will remain in the title race. This is an old rivalry, with these teams (in one version or another) meeting about 125 times. Ashbrook has won the last four games, after Huss won four in a row before that. Huss will have to slow down Ashbrook RB Martino Smith, who has seven 100-yard rushing games this season.

Lake Norman (7-2, 4-1 Greater Metro 4 4A) at No. 11 Mooresville (8-1, 5-0), 7 p.m. — The conference championship is on the line in yet another of the neighborhood rivalry games. Mooresville’s explosive passing attack, led by QB Brody Norman (1.837 yards), is just part of the story. RB Ja’Darius McCombs ran for three touchdowns last week, showing the Blue Devils are two-dimensional on offense. Lake Norman has its best passing attack in years, but the Wildcats are always strong on the ground. RB Mozes Morris is averaging nearly 100 yards a game.

Marvin Ridge (4-5, 1-2 Southern Carolina 4A) at No. 1 Weddington (8-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. — And .... here’s another neighborhood rivalry, with a little twist. Last year, Marvin Ridge was a 5-4 team facing an 8-1 Weddington squad. Yet the Mavericks drove for a touchdown in the closing minutes and scored a stunning 24-20 upset. Weddington then won six in a row and captured the 4A state championship. Weddington’s rugged defense faces a Marvin Ridge QB, Braydon Rediger, who has thrown for 1,324 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. On paper, Weddington is the solid favorite here. But ...

North Lincoln (8-1, 5-1 Western Foothills 3A) at East Lincoln (7-2, 4-2), 7:30 p.m. — This Lincoln County rivalry carries extra important this year, with playoff seedings (and potential postseason homes games) on the line. It’s a battle of the North Lincoln ground game, led by RB Shannon Wingate (1,423 rushing yards), against the East Lincoln passing attack, led by QB Grant Lawless (2,084 yards). North Lincoln still has a chance to share the conference title, if Statesville were to upset Hickory.

Statesville (8-1, 5-1 Western Foothills 3A) at Hickory (9-0, 6-0), 7:30 p.m. — This I-40 rivalry is another showcase for Hickory QB Brady Stober, who has thrown for 2,134 yards this season and has a collection of speedy and sure-handed receivers. Hickory has won 25 games in a row, but Statesville has won eight of the last nine meetings in this series. Statesville scores on the ground and with special teams. Greyhound RB Allen Jones is averaging nearly 100 rushing yards a game this season.

West Lincoln (6-3, 4-2 Catawba Valley 2A) at Lincolnton (5-4, 5-1), 7:30 p.m. — And here’s another neighborhood rivalry with extra meaning. The host Wolves have won five in a row and can win the conference championship with a victory here. QB Rashad Lynch gives Lincolnton a two-way threat, as he passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 88 yards last week in a 20-19 victory over Maiden. West Lincoln brings no surprises on offense, running the ball on most plays. RB Jaylin Winnex is 28 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season.

The picks

Weekend schedule

(all kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless noted otherwise)

THURSDAY

Catawba Shores 1A-2A

Carver (3-6, 1-5) at Winston-Salem Prep (1-7, 0-6)

FRIDAY

Queen City 3A-4A

Chambers (5-4, 4-2) at Mallard Creek (7-2, 5-1)

Hough (8-1, 6-0) at Hopewell (3-6, 1-5)

West Charlotte (6-2, 4-2) at North Mecklenburg (4-5, 3-3)

West Mecklenburg (2-7, 1-5) at Harding (1-8, 0-6)

South Meck 4A

Olympic (7-2, 4-1) at Berry Academy (3-6, 1-4)

Palisades (7-2, 5-0) at Ardrey Kell (4-5, 3-2)

South Mecklenburg (2-6, 2-3) at Myers Park (4-5, 3-2)

Southwestern 4A

Butler (4-5, 4-1) at Independence (8-1, 4-1)

East Mecklenburg (1-8, 1-4) at Providence (3-5, 2-3)

Rocky River (2-7, 1-4) at Garinger (0-9, 0-6)

Greater Metro 4 4A

Cox Mill (1-8, 1-4) at South Iredell (5-4, 3-2)

Lake Norman (7-2, 4-1) at Mooresville (8-1, 5-0)

West Cabarrus (4-5, 2-3) at Hickory Ridge (0-9, 0-5)

Southern Carolina 4A

Marvin Ridge (4-5, 1-2) at Weddington (8-0, 3-0)

Sun Valley (7-2, 2-1) at Porter Ridge (5-4, 0-3)

Big South 3A

Hunter Huss (4-3, 3-2) at Ashbrook (7-2, 4-2), 7:30

Kings Mountain (6-2, 4-1) at Crest (7-1, 4-1), 7:30

South Point (6-1, 4-1) at North Gaston (3-5, 1-4), 7:30

Stuart Cramer (1-7, 0-5) at Forestview (1-8, 1-5), 7:30

South Piedmont 3A

Central Cabarrus (2-7, 2-4) at Northwest Cabarrus (7-2, 5-1)

East Rowan (0-9, 0-6) at West Rowan (5-4, 4-2)

South Rowan (4-5, 3-3) at Jesse Carson (3-6, 1-5)

Western Foothills 3A

Fred T. Foard (0-8, 0-5) at St. Stephens (2-7, 2-4), 7:30

North Iredell (2-7, 1-5) at West Iredell (2-6, 0-5)

North Lincoln (8-1, 5-1) at East Lincoln (7-2, 4-2), 7:30

Statesville (8-1, 5-1) at Hickory (9-0, 6-0), 7:30

Rocky River 2A-3A

Anson County (5-4, 3-1) at Forest Hills (6-3, 3-1)

Monroe (8-0, 4-0) at West Stanly (1-8, 1-3)

Piedmont (2-7, 0-4) at Parkwood (2-7, 1-3)

Catawba Valley 2A

Bandys (6-2, 3-2) at Bunker Hill (6-2, 4-1), 7:30

Maiden (6-3, 4-2) at Newton-Conover (1-7, 1-4), 7:30

West Caldwell (0-8, 0-5) at East Burke (1-6, 0-4), 7:30

West Lincoln (6-3, 4-2) at Lincolnton (5-4, 5-1), 7:30

Catawba Shores 1A-2A

Christ the King (3-6, 3-3) at Bishop McGuinness (6-3, 3-3)

Corvian Community (9-0, 6-0) at Mountain Island Charter (5-4, 4-2)

Pine Lake Prep (2-7, 2-4) at Community School of Davidson (6-3, 5-1)

Southern Piedmont 1A-2A

Bessemer City (5-4, 3-2) at Cherryville (3-6, 2-3), 7:30

Highland Tech (3-5, 0-5) at East Gaston (2-6, 1-3), 7:30

Shelby (7-2, 5-0) at Burns (7-2, 5-0), 7:30

Yadkin Valley 1A-2A

North Stanly (5-4, 2-1) at Albemarle (3-6, 1-2), 7:30

Union Academy (5-4, 0-3) at South Stanly (4-4, 1-2), 7:30

Nonconference

A.L. Brown (4-5) at Concord (4-5)

Bonnie Cone Leadership (1-8) at Lake Norman Charter (7-1)

Cuthbertson (6-3) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-9)

Mount Pleasant (8-1) at Jay M. Robinson (9-0)

NCISAA Playoffs

Division 1

First round

Charlotte Country Day (4-6) at Providence Day (7-2)

Charlotte Latin (8-2) at Christ School (2-4)

Metrolina Christian (5-4) at Charlotte Christian (6-3)

North Raleigh Christian (5-4) at Rabun Gap School (8-2)

Division 2

Harrells Christian (6-3) at High Point Christian (9-0)

Hickory Grove Christian (7-3) at Covenant Day (4-4)

SouthLake Christian (4-5) at Trinity Christian (8-1)

Wake Christian (2-7) at Asheville School (4-1)

8-Man

Halifax Academy (4-6) at Cary Christian (6-1)

John Paul II Catholic (6-3) at Faith Christian (7-3)

Rocky Mount Academy (4-6) at Wayne Christian (6-2)

St. David’s School (4-5) at Arendell Parrott Academy (9-1)

S.C. Region 3 5A

Clover (6-3, 3-2) at Catawba Ridge (7-2, 4-1), 7:30

Fort Mill (1-7, 0-5) at Nation Ford (1-8, 0-5), 7:30

Northwestern (9-0, 5-0) at Indian Land (5-4, 2-3), 7:30

S.C. Region 3 4A

A.C. Flora (7-2, 4-1) at Camden (6-3, 3-2), 7:30

Lancaster (3-6, 1-4) at York (2-7, 1-4), 7:30

South Pointe (7-2, 5-0) at Richland Northeast (7-2, 3-2), 7:30

S.C. Region 4 2A

Andrew Jackson (2-7, 2-2) at Buford (2-7, 1-3), 7:30

Cheraw (6-3, 4-0) at Chesterfield (6-3, 1-3), 7:30

North Central (3-5, 1-3) at Pageland Central (7-2, 3-1), 7:30

Saturday

Nonconference

Cabarrus Stallions (5-4) at Georgia Force (9-0), 4:30 p.m.

Off week: Charlotte Catholic, Rock Hill