High school football gameday: Your guide to this this weekend’s games

A look ahead at this weekend’s high school football games involving Mecklenburg County teams, plus top games from around the area:

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Area previews

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Bishop McGuinness (3-0, 0-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Community School of Davidson (1-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — It’s the visiting Villains’ defense against the Spartans’ explosive passing game. Bishop McGuinness LB Cayden Long has four sacks, six tackles for loss and an interception this season. Spartans’ WR Brandon Albert is averaging about 80 receiving yards per game.

Butler (0-4, 0-0 Southwestern 4A) at Garinger (0-4, 0-0), 7 p.m. — This might be the first time these teams ever met with 0-4 records. Butler has been improved over the past two weeks, nearly beating S.C. power Irmo and then giving Weddington a battle last week. RB Jayden Williams has carried for 442 yards. Garinger’s young team continues to struggle on offense.

Cannon School (2-2) at No. 9 Charlotte Christian (2-1), 7 p.m. — Cannon School WR Kenan Dixon ranks fifth in the Charlotte area in receiving yardage (373). The Cougars’ passing game will get a test against a tough Charlotte Christian defense featuring LB Jacob Simmons (six sacks). Knights’ RB Jamal Rule has rushed for 545 yards.

Charlotte Country Day (3-2) at High Point Christian (4-0), 7 p.m. — Buccaneers’ QB Khalel Wright is among area passing leaders, with 690 yards. High Point Christian prefers to run the ball — and why not, with Jayden Moore (201.7 rushing yards a game) in the lineup?

Christ School (1-3) at No. 3 Providence Day (3-1), 7 p.m. — A state private school power in recent seasons, Christ School’s offense is down a bit this year. But sophomore QB Mason Holtzclaw is coming into his own and has thrown for more than 500 yards. Providence Day QB Zaid Lott has been impressive in the past two games and has now thrown for 1,076 yards.

Christ the King (0-3, 0-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Carver (1-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — The visiting Crusaders have been a hard-luck team, losing by five points to Cannon School and in the last minute to Lake Norman Charter. Turnovers (seven interceptions) have hurt Christ the King. The host Yellowjackets have a strong ground game, averaging 170 rushing yards per contest.

Corvian Community (3-0, 0-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Winston-Salem Prep (1-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — This game looks like a battle of Corvian’s defense against Winston-Salem Prep RB Gregory Cuthbertson, who is averaging an impressive 230 rushing yards a game. Corvian’s A.J. Jackson, Adrian Scott and Christiaan Evans each have three sacks and will be a key to the Cardinals’ hopes.

East Mecklenburg (0-4, 0-0 Southwestern 4A) at Rocky River (1-3, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Rocky River is coming off its most impressive outing of the season, a 13-0 victory over Berry Academy. The visiting Eagles have not been able to get their ground game untracked this season and are coming off a 63-0 loss last week to Monroe.

Harding (1-2, 0-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at Hopewell (2-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — RB Marvin Reed Jr. leads a Hopewell offense which has started strong, averaging 34 points a game. The visiting Rams are among the area’s youngest teams, as coach J.T. Stone works to rebuild the program. Sophomore QB Jonquarius Moody rushed for 87 yards in a Harding victory last week.

Hickory Grove Christian (5-0, 1-0 Big 6) at Covenant Day (2-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. — Covenant Day QB Logan Misocky is averaging 163 passing yards a game, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Hickory Grove DB Kevin Powell leads the Charlotte area with four interceptions. That appears to be a key matchup in this game.

No. 4 Mallard Creek (2-1, 0-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 5 West Charlotte (2-0, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Mallard Creek is coming off its 21-14 upset of Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller on Saturday, but the Mavericks certainly can’t afford a letdown this week. West Charlotte, behind QB Brock Jenkins, is averaging 38 points a game. The Lions face a ferocious Mavericks’ defense that recorded five sacks in the victory over Archbishop Moeller.

Myers Park (1-3, 0-0 SoMeck 4A) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-3, 0-0), 7 p.m. — The learning process continues for Ballantyne Ridge, which plays its first-ever conference game this weekend. Myers Park QB Jared Lockhart has thrown for 731 yards, and Mustangs’ WR Chaz Portis has 11 catches, three for touchdowns.

North Mecklenburg (1-2, 0-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 7 Hough (2-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Hough has a powerful passing game, but the visiting Vikings have played well against the pass this season. DB Bryant White has three interceptions. Hough QB Trey Blakeney has thrown for 829 yards, with Sean Brady (353 receiving yards) and Tyran Evans (326) as his main targets.

Palisades (2-2, 0-0 SoMeck 4A) at Berry Academy (2-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Look for a low-scoring game here, as each team has a strong defense. LB Kendric Davis, an East Carolina commit, leads the Palisades defense. Berry Academy is allowing an average of just 13 points a game. Each team’s offense has been erratic so far this season.

Providence (1-1, 0-0 Southwestern 4A) at No. 13 Charlotte Catholic (1-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — Providence junior QB Jackson Debe is averaging almost 230 passing yards a game. Charlotte Catholic runs the ball about 80 percent of the time, mostly behind RB Jake Anderson. Yes, you’re looking at a contrast of styles in this game, matching teams with hopes of challenging Independence for the conference title.

South Mecklenburg (0-3, 0-0 SoMeck 4A) at Olympic (3-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. — The visiting Sabres will try to slow down the Olympic passing combination of QB Chance Cato (775 passing yards) and WR Alex Wiley (341 yards). Olympic’s Bryce Nixon is averaging 13 tackles a game.

St. Pauls (3-1) at Charlotte Latin (4-0), 7 p.m. — Both of these teams are improved from a year ago. The visiting Bulldogs, from Robeson County near the coast, are playing like the team that reached the 2A state finals in 2021. Junior RB Yoshua McBryde is averaging 192 rushing yards a game and carried for 257 yards in a game earlier this month. The host Hawks, off to their best start in years, are doing their damage in the air. QB Troy Logan is the area’s leading passer, with 1,191 yards.

West Mecklenburg (1-2, 0-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at Chambers (1-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. — With WR’s Aarion Concepcion and Jeremiah Harrison, Chambers has an explosive passing attack. But the Cougars’ offense has been stymied at times this season by errors. West Mecklenburg, behind running back/defensive back/kick returner standout Mark Foster, would love to surprise the Cougars and pad its RPI ratings for a playoff berth.

OTHER AREA GAMES

A.C. Flora (3-1, 0-0 Region 3 4A) at No. 10 South Pointe (2-2, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — One week after facing Northwestern’s explosive passing attack, South Pointe must face another. The visiting Falcons are led by QB Rofer Wentzky, who has thrown for 2.075 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. South Pointe will hope to keep the ball out of Wentzky’s hands, behind RB Mason Pickett-Hicks (470 rushing yards) and a ball-control attack.

Ashbrook (3-0, 0-0 Big South 3A) at Crest (3-0, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — Ashbrook dives into the deep end in its conference opener, facing the powerhouse Chargers. RB Aiden Carson has rushed for six Crest touchdowns, but the Green Wave will hope to stop Crest with a defense that has totaled eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries in three games.

Bandys (3-0, 0-0 Catawba Valley 2A) at West Lincoln (2-1, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — It’s a contrast in styles here. Bandys QB Brady Swett has thrown for 636 yards and seven touchdowns. West Lincoln, which rarely throws the ball, features RB Grae Ponder, who has rushed for six touchdowns in three games.

Hickory (3-0, 0-0 Western Foothills 3A) at No. 15 East Lincoln (3-0, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — One of the state’s biggest games this weekend is also a conference opener for both teams. Hickory, the defending 3A state champion with a 19-game winning streak, is led by senior QB Brady Stober, a Samford commit who is averaging 159 passing yards a game. East Lincoln junior QB Grant Lawless is off to a fast start, averaging 277 passing yards a contest, with 12 touchdowns and one interception.

Marvin Ridge (2-2) at Indian Land (3-0), 7:30 p.m. — Marvin Ridge WR Alex Voss leads the Charlotte area with 413 yards, and QB Braydon Rediger has thrown for 710 yards. Indian Land counters with RB Jamol Horton, who has carried for 374 yards and is a threat to score whenever he breaks a tackle.

No. 11 Monroe (3-0) at No. 12 Porter Ridge (4-0), 7 p.m. — Porter Ridge is known for running the ball with its option offense, but QB Christian Myers tied a school record last week by throwing four touchdown passes. He faces a Monroe defense led by Quay Knotts (three interceptions). Redhawk RB Nymir Kendall has rushed for six touchdowns this season.

Nation Ford (1-3, 0-0 Region 3 5A) at No. 2 Northwestern (4-0, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. — Off-the-field events have been the big story in the lead-up to this game. Michael Allen, in his 14th year as Nation Ford head coach, resigned abruptly this week. Jason McManus has moved up from offensive coordinator duties to serve as head coach.

On the field, Nation Ford will try to match its passing attack against Northwestern’s aerial game. Nation Ford QB Carson Sanford has thrown for 931 yards, not far behind Northwestern QB Finley Polk’s 1,040-yard total. Figure on plenty of points in this one.

The picks

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Weekend schedule

FRIDAY

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

Queen City 3A-4A

Harding (1-2, 0-0) at Hopewell (2-1, 0-0)

Mallard Creek (2-1, 0-0) at West Charlotte (2-0, 0-0)

North Mecklenburg (1-2, 0-0) at Hough (2-1, 0-0)

West Mecklenburg (1-2, 0-0) at Chambers (1-2, 0-0)

SoMeck 4A

Myers Park (1-2, 0-0) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-3, 0-0)

Palisades (2-2, 0-0) at Berry Academy (2-2, 0-0)

South Mecklenburg (0-3, 0-0) at Olympic (3-1, 0-0)

Southwestern 4A

Butler (0-4, 0-0) at Garinger (0-4, 0-0)

East Mecklenburg (0-4, 0-0) at Rocky River (1-3, 0-0)

Providence (1-1, 0-0) at Charlotte Catholic (1-2, 0-0)

Greater Metro 4 4A

Hickory Ridge (0-4, 0-0) at A.L. Brown (2-1, 0-0)

Mooresville (2-1, 0-0) at Cox Mill (0-4, 0-0)

South Iredell (2-2, 0-0) at West Cabarrus (1-3, 0-0)

Big South 3A

Ashbrook (3-0, 0-0) at Crest (3-0, 0-0), 7:30

Hunter Huss (1-1, 0-0) at Kings Mountain (2-1, 0-0), 7:30

North Gaston (2-1, 0-0) at Forestview (0-3, 0-0), 7:30

South Point (2-0, 0-0) at Stuart Cramer (1-2, 0-0), 7:30

South Piedmont 3A

East Rowan (0-3, 0-0) at Concord (1-2, 0-0)

Jesse Carson (2-1, 0-0) at West Rowan (1-2, 0-0)

South Rowan (1-2, 0-0) at Northwest Cabarrus (2-1, 0-0)

Western Foothills 3A

Hickory (3-0, 0-0) at East Lincoln (3-0, 0-0), 7:30

North Iredell (1-2, 0-0) at Fred T. Foard (0-3, 0-0), 7:30

Statesville (3-0, 0-0) at North Lincoln (3-0, 0-0), 7:30

West Iredell (2-1, 0-0) at St. Stephens (0-3, 0-0), 7:30

Catawba Valley 2A

Bandys (3-0, 0-0) at West Lincoln (2-1, 0-0), 7:30

East Burke (1-2, 0-0) at Maiden (2-1, 0-0), 7:30

Lincolnton (0-3, 0-0) at Bunker Hill (2-1, 0-0), 7:30

West Caldwell (0-3, 0-0) at Newton-Conover (0-3, 0-0), 7:30

Big 6 (NCISAA)

Hickory Grove Christian (5-0, 1-0) at Covenant Day (2-1, 1-0)

Catawba Shores 1A-2A

Bishop McGuinness (3-0, 0-0) at Community School of Davidson (1-2, 0-0)

Christ the King (0-3, 0-0) at Carver (1-2, 0-0)

Corvian Community (3-0, 0-0) at Winston-Salem Prep (1-1, 0-0)

Mountain Island Charter (1-2, 0-0) at Pine Lake Prep (0-3, 0-0)

Southern Piedmont 1A-2A

Burns (2-2, 0-0) at Highland Tech (3-0, 0-0), 7:30

Shelby (2-2, 0-0) at Cherryville (1-3, 0-0), 7:30

Thomas Jefferson Academy (2-2, 0-0) at Bessemer City (2-2, 0-0), 7:30

Nonconference

Cannon School (2-2) at Charlotte Christian (2-1)

Charlotte Country Day (3-2) at High Point Christian (4-0)

Christ School (1-3) at Providence Day (3-1)

Marvin Ridge (2-2) at Indian Land (3-0), 7:30

Monroe (3-0) at Porter Ridge (4-0)

Piedmont (1-3) at Montgomery Central (4-0), 7:30

South Caldwell (2-2) at Cuthbertson (3-1)

St. Paul’s (3-1) at Charlotte Latin (4-0)

Sun Valley (3-1) at Alexander Central (2-2), 7:30

Union Academy (3-1) at Trinity (2-2)

Weddington (4-0) at Chapel Hill (1-3)

West Stanly (0-4) at Mount Pleasant (3-1)

S.C. Region 3 5A

Catawba Ridge (3-1, 0-0) at Fort Mill (1-2, 0-0), 7:30

Nation Ford (1-3, 0-0) at Northwestern (4-0, 0-0), 7:30

Rock Hill (1-3, 0-0) at Clover (3-1, 0-0), 7:30

S.C. Region 3 4A

A.C. Flora (3-1, 0-0) at South Pointe (2-2, 0-0), 7:30

Dreher (2-1, 0-0) at York (1-3, 0-0), 7:30

Richland Northeast (4-0, 0-0) at Camden (3-1, 0-0), 7:30

S.C. nonconference

Andrew Jackson (0-3) at Lewisville (3-1), 7:30

Buford (1-3) at Great Falls (1-3), 7:30

Marvin Ridge (2-2) at Indian Land (3-0), 7:30

SATURDAY

Nonconference

Carolina Bearcats (1-2) at Cabarrus Stallions (0-4)

Open week: Ardrey Kell, Central Cabarrus, East Gaston, Forest Hills, Independence, Jay M. Robinson, Lake Norman, Lake Norman Charter, Lancaster, Metrolina Christian, Parkwood, SouthLake Christian