High school football rewind: Thursday’s scores, Friday’s previews, how The Sweet 16 fared

With a fast moving tropical storm expected to drop rain into the Charlotte area Friday, more than a dozen games have been moved up to Thursday. Find previews for all Mecklenburg County schools, plus key regional previews, picks and a full schedule below. Also get our live scoreboard

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Live scores

How The Sweet 16 fared

Thursday’s highlights

Forest Hills 36, Community School of Davidson 7: Rodney Smith ran for a first-quarter touchdown and returned an interception 62 yards for another Forest Hills score, as the Yellow Jackets opened a 23-0 halftime lead. The Spartans averted a shutout with a fourth-quarter Jake Johnson-to-Brandon Albers touchdown pass.

Hickory 69, Cox Mill 28: The visiting Chargers kept close with 3A powerhouse Hickory early, trailing only 28-21 early in the second quarter. But the Red Tornadoes pulled away and improved to 4-0.

Highland Tech 70, Triangle Math & Science 0: The Rams, who entered the season with a 34-game losing streak, improved to 3-0 and set a single-game school scoring record. Carmelo Adams and Jonah Jeffries each scored three touchdowns in the victory.

Northwest Cabarrus 17, Mount Pleasant 14: Jackson Forrest ran 1 yard for the go-ahead score with 5:30 remaining, and the Trojans handed Mount Pleasant its first loss in four games. The Tigers, who lost 48-0 last year to Northwest Cabarrus, had taken a 14-10 lead early in the final period on a pass from Callin Black to Jacob Reigel. One big play came in the first half, with Mount Pleasant at the Trojan 3. The Tigers tried a shovel pass, but it was picked off by Zachariah Johnson, and he ran 99 yards for a Northwest Cabarrus touchdown.

Porter Ridge 41, West Cabarrus 7: Christian Taylor threw four touchdown passes, two of them to Will Taylor, and Ryan Ladimir kicked a pair of field goals for the unbeaten Pirates (4-0), who opened the season with only four returning starters from a year ago.

South Point 30, Hibriten 14: The Raiders’ ground game was working again, as Eric Forston carried 11 times for 133 yards in the victory. Brody Crawford (75 yards) and Patrick Bise (73) added to South Point’s 313-yard rushing total.

West Iredell 37, West Wilkes 22: Alijah Adams ran for a touchdown and passed for another, leading West Iredell. Asher Frisbee kicked two field goals for the victors.

Thursday’s area scores

THURSDAY

Big 6 (NCISAA)

Asheville Christian (2-0, 0-0) at Covenant Day (1-1, 0-0)

Mecklenburg nonconference

Forest Hills 36, Community School of Davidson 7

Monroe 63, East Mecklenburg 0

Thomas Jefferson 61, Bonnie Cone 6

Area nonconference

Ashbrook 50, East Gaston 7

Forestview (0-2) at East Lincoln (2-0)

Hickory 69, Cox Mill 28

Highland Tech 70, Triangle Math & Science 0

North Gaston 36, Cherryville 2

North Iredell 21, Mountain Island Charter 7

North Lincoln 56, East Rutherford 55

Northwest Cabarrus 16, Mount Pleasant 14

Porter Ridge 41, West Cabarrus 7

South Point 30, Hibriten 14

Sun Valley (2-1) at Parkwood (1-2)

Union Academy 20, Bessemer City 10

West Iredell 37, West Wilkes 22

N.C. statewide

Bandys 35, South Caldwell 6

Burns 28, Alexander Central 7

Central Davidson 34, Lexington 25

Clayton 27, Holly Springs 7

Draughn 34, Chase 28

East Surry 48, South Stokes 3

Erwin 27, West Henderson 21

Havelock 54, West Craven 7

Landrum 43, Polk County 6

Maiden 29, St. Stephens 6

McDowell 49, Avery County 21

Mitchell 35, Andrews 34

Mountain Heritage 42, Hendersonville 7

Murphy 22, Smoky Mountain 14

North Duplin 62, Lejeune 14

North Stanly 38, West Stanly 37

Pisgah 30, Hayesville 0

Robbinsville 46, Copper Basin 0

Salisbury 38, Person 7

South Stanly 66, South Davidson 0

Southwest Onslow 55, Goldsboro 12

Wallace-Rose Hill 27, Pender 12

Whiteville 42, Clinton 7

S.C. nonconference

Andrews 38, Andrew Jackson 31

Fairfield Central 33, Lewisville 8

Hartsville 49, Rock Hill 30

Richland Northeast 58, Nation Ford 49

Saluda 16, Chester 12

Friday’s Mecklenburg previews

Ardrey Kell (1-2) at No. 9 Charlotte Christian (2-1), 7 p.m. — It’s a meeting of teams coming off disappointing losses last week. Ardrey Kell QB Gavin Adams threw three touchdown passes in a loss to Marvin Ridge. Meanwhile, Charlotte Christian RB Jamal Rule is starting to get untracked and is averaging 101 rushing yards a contest.

Butler (0-3) at No. 1 Weddington (3-0), 7 p.m. — The proud Butler program is staring an 0-4 record in the face, although the Bulldogs were much improved last week in their 35-34 overtime loss to S.C. power Irmo. RB Jayden Williams is averaging 109 rushing yards a game, and Butler will hope that Williams can operate against Weddington’s powerful defense. The host Warriors are playing without RB Nick Diamond, who sustained a season-ending knee injury and announced earlier this week that he is transferring to Georgia private school powerhouse Rabun School.

Carolina Bearcats (1-1) at Charlotte Latin (4-0), 7 p.m. — The Bearcats, a team of home-schooled and charter school players, are coming off a victory over Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy. The host Hawks are off to their best start in several years. WR Hudson Shoup returned a punt for a touchdown last week and is averaging more than 70 receiving yards a game. QB Troy Logan is the area’s top passer, throwing for 1,006 yards.

Chambers (0-2) at Hickory Ridge (0-3), 7 p.m. — Two struggling teams square off in Harrisburg. Chambers gave up 19 unanswered points last week in a 31-13 loss to Glenn. Hickory Ridge has defensive problems. The Ragin’ Bulls, plagued by inexperience on both sides of the ball, are allowing an average of 47 points a game.

No. 12 Charlotte Catholic (1-1) at Crest (2-0), 7:30 p.m. — These teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time, but they’re familiar playoff opponents. Crest holds a 2-1 postseason edge on the Cougars. The visitors, coming off a loss to Providence Day, will try to establish the run against a Crest defense which has surrendered rushing yards in games against county foes Shelby and Burns.

Charlotte Country Day (3-1, 0-0 Big South) at Providence Day (2-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Like its fellow Big South member Charlotte Latin, the Buccaneers are off to a surprising start. QB Khalel Wright is the engine of the Bucs’ offense, averaging more than 250 total yards a game. HOWEVER ... Providence Day has regained its footing after an opening loss to Weddington. The Chargers have plenty of offensive weapons, but here’s a shout-out to LBs Justin Abanquah and Quintin McCray, each with 38 tackles..

Cuthbertson (3-0) at Palisades (1-2), 7 p.m. — There’s not much mystery about either team’s game plan. Cuthbertson will try to run the ball. Palisades will try to stop the Cavaliers. Cavs RB Mason Iovino leads the Charlotte area with 491 rushing yards, and he had 160 yards and two touchdowns last week. But Iovino also caught a 60-yard touchdown pass, so the Puma defense won’t be able to concentrate fully on the run.

Garinger (0-3) at Corvian Community (2-0), 7 p.m. — The host Cardinals seek their third straight victory over a Charlotte public school. Senior QB A.J. Jackson has several excellent receivers, including junior Ryan del Bene. Jackson, a threat to run or throw, has accounted for more than 310 yards of offense this season. Garinger is a very young team, and the Wildcats’ defense has struggled to stop opponents..

J.F. Webb (0-3) at North Mecklenburg (0-2), 7 p.m. — First, a geography lesson. Webb is from the Granville County town of Oxford, north of Raleigh and Durham. The Warriors have a promising quarterback in sophomore Daniel Wright, who has thrown for 354 yards. The Viking defense is led by sophomore DB Bryant Wright, who has a pair of interceptions this season.

No. 5 Independence (3-0) at South Mecklenburg (0-2), 7 p.m. — The visiting Patriots are enjoying what could be a special season and can’t afford a letdown against a Sabres team which has played solid defense this season. Offense has been the problem for the Sabres, as they’re averaging nine points a game. Independence WR Sadat Grant is coming off a big game, with 125 receiving yards in last week’s 34-13 thrashing of Charlotte Christian.

Lake Norman Charter (2-0) at Pine Lake Prep (0-2), 7 p.m. — The visiting Knights scored in the final minute last week to edge Christ the King. David Wignot threw for two touchdowns and returned an interception for another score against the Crusaders. Pine Lake Prep has a standout WR in Dre Norris, who is averaging nearly 100 receiving yards a game.

No. 14 Myers Park (1-2) at Richmond Senior (1-2), 7 p.m. — After a slow start, Myers Park bounced back in a big way last week with a 37-14 romp over Sun Valley. It was the best game so far for QB Jared Lockhart, who threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns. the Mustangs will have to protect Lockhart from a Raiders defense led by LB Kmauri Morgan, averaging 13.7 tackles a game. Myers Park turned its season around last year with a 47-14 drubbing of Richmond Senior.

Rocky River (0-3) at Berry Academy (2-1), 7 p.m. — Berry Academy DB Miles Smith had nine tackles and three pass break-ups last week in a loss to Hopewell. Rocky River has not been able to get its offense untracked, as the Ravens are averaging only about 100 yards a game.

Shelby (1-2) at Olympic (3-0), 7 p.m. — Don’t let the record fool you. The visiting Golden Lions have lost to powerhouses A.C. Reynolds and Crest. Shelby has an outstanding QB in Lan Farmer, who has thrown for 649 yards. But he has been picked off seven times. Olympic WR Alex Wiley had seven catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ victory last week over West Cabarrus.

SouthLake Christian (3-1, 0-1 Big 6) at Hickory Grove Christian (4-0, 0-0), 7 p.m. — It’s doubtful that these two teams have met with combined records of 7-1, but the two sides are off to big starts in 2024. SouthLake Christian’s offense gets a big boost, literally, from 305-pound OT Hunter Tedder, who had 11 pancake blocks last week. QB Hunter Bolling has thrown for 759 yards. For the host Lions, RB Anthony Hawkins (427 yards) ranks second in the area in rushing.

Friday’s regional previews

Clover (2-1) at York (1-2), 7:30 p.m. — The visiting Blue Eagles put their strong ground game, led by RB Landon Stone, up against a York team that is getting 192 passing yards a contest from QB Tayshon Freeman. Clover has won five in a row against York, although four of the games were decided by a touchdown or less.

Lake Norman (2-1) at No. 16 Marvin Ridge (2-1), 7 p.m. — Freshman QB Kaden Craft came off the bench last week and directed his team to a come-from-behind victory over Asheville. He rushed for 69 yards in that late surge. But the Wildcats also have senior QB Haines Robitzer, who is averaging 207 passing yards a game. Marvin Ridge is coming off its own version of a come-from-behind victory, rallying from a 28-7 deficit to beat Ardrey Kell 42-28. QB Brayden Reddiger passed for 320 yards and five touchdowns, and WR Alex Voss had four touchdown catches. Voss’ performance tied the school record, set in 2016 by current Atlantic Falcons WR Emeke Emezie.

No. 2 Northwestern (3-0) at No. 7 South Pointe (2-1), 7:30 p.m. — One of the region’s best rivalries is renewed at South Pointe, with the all-time series tied 10-10. Northwestern has won the past two meetings and three of four. The Trojans pummeled South Pointe 64-31 a year ago. Northwestern QB Finley Polk has thrown for 879 yards, second-best in the Charlotte region. And WR Kameron Vance’s 377 receiving yards also ranked No. 2 in the area. South Pointe has been more successful on the ground, as Mason Pickett-Hicks is averaging 113 rushing yards a contest. .

Saturday’s preview

No. 10 Mallard Creek (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Moeller (3-0), at Ironton (OH) High, noon — Well, you can’t criticize the Mavericks for not playing a touch schedule. After beating one Georgia power (Prince Avenue Christian) and falling to another (Grayson), Mallard Creek takes on a legendary Ohio football power. This game is part of a doubleheader in the Ohio River town of Ironton.

Archbishop Moeller is the No. 1-ranked team in Ohio this week, and the Fighting Crusaders are loaded with talent. WR’s Jovan Love and Sam Hamilton give Moeller an explosive passing attack, but the Crusaders also run the ball effectively. DB’s Anthony Dangerfield, Chris Rogers and Brandon Rose will need big games if Mallard Creek can keep Moeller’s offense from running away with it.

The picks

Talking Preps

This week’s Talking Preps Week 4 preview

Weekend schedule

FRIDAY

Big South (NCISAA)

Charlotte Country Day (3-1, 0-0) at Providence Day (2-1, 0-0)

Big 6 (NCISAA)

SouthLake Christian (3-1, 0-0) at Hickory Grove Christian (4-0, 0-0)

South Piedmont 3A

Central Cabarrus (0-3, 0-0) at Jay M. Robinson (3-0, 1-0)

Mecklenburg nonconference

Ardrey Kell (1-2) at Charlotte Christian (1-1)

Butler (0-3) at Weddington (3-0)

Carolina Bearcats (1-1) at Charlotte Latin (4-0)

Chambers (0-2) at Hickory Ridge (0-3)

Charlotte Catholic (1-1) at Crest (2-0), 7:30

Cuthbertson (3-0) at Palisades (1-2)

Garinger (0-3) at Corvian Community (2-0)

Independence (3-0) at South Mecklenburg (0-2)

J.F. Webb (0-3) at North Mecklenburg (0-2)

Lake Norman Charter (2-0) at Pine Lake Prep (0-2)

Myers Park (1-2) at Richmond Senior (1-2)

Rocky River (0-3) at Berry Academy (2-1)

Shelby (1-2) at Olympic (3-0)

Area nonconference

Asheville School (2-0) at Metrolina Christian (2-2), 6

Lake Norman (2-1) at Marvin Ridge (2-1)

South Iredell (1-2) at Piedmont (1-2)

South Rowan (1-1) at A.L. Brown (1-1)

S.C. nonconference

Buford (1-2) at McBee (1-1), 7:30

Clover (2-1) at York (1-2), 7:30

Fort Mill (1-1) at Lancaster (1-2), 7:30

Northwestern (3-0) at South Pointe (2-1), 7:30

Spring Valley (0-3) at Catawba Ridge (2-1), 7:30

SATURDAY

Mecklenburg nonconference

Mallard Creek (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Moeller (3-0), at Ironton (OH), noon

S.C. nonconference

S.C. Spartans (1-3) at Greenville Hurricanes (1-3), 7

Open week: Ballantyne Ridge, Cabarrus Stallions, Cannon School, Carolina Bearcats, Christ the King, Concord, Harding, Hopewell, Hough, Hunter Huss, Indian Land, Lincolnton, Mooresville, Providence, Statesville, Stuart Cramer, West Charlotte, West Lincoln, West Mecklenburg