Previews for Friday’s Mecklenburg County, key Charlotte-area high school football games

Here are this week’s football matchups and a complete schedule.

(Observer’s Sweet 16 rankings are included)

Thursday night

SouthLake Christian (1-6) at Covenant Day (2-6), 7 p.m. – SouthLake QB Matthew Lutzel is just 111 yards from reaching 1,000 passing yards for the season. Covenant Day is finishing the season strong, having beaten Hickory Grove Christian last week and played well in losses to Asheville School and Anson County.

Friday night

Mecklenburg County

No. 13 Ardrey Kell (6-2, 3-1 South Meck 4A) at Berry Academy (3-5, 1-3), 7 p.m. – The visiting Knights can grab a share of the conference championship with a victory here. They also can protect their No. 4 RPI rating among 4A West schools, guaranteeing a high seed in the playoffs. Berry Academy must tighten its pass defense, which surrendered several long plays in the Cardinals’ most recent game, two weeks ago against West Charlotte.

Bishop McGuinness (2-6, 1-4 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Christ the King (2-7, 1-4), 7 p.m. – Christ the King WR Jacob Dulski has nearly 500 receiving yards this season. A victory will give the host Crusaders their second-most successful season in six years of football.

Charlotte Christian (3-5, 0-4 Big South 4A) at Charlotte Country Day (1-7, 0-4), 7 p.m. – The visiting Knights are a hard-luck story this season. They have lost two straight games in overtime and had a three-point loss earlier this season. RB Kyron Jones (713 rushing yards) will test a Buccaneer defense which has struggled this season.

No. 15 Charlotte Latin (8-1, 3-1 Big South 4A) at Providence Day (5-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. – The host Chargers take the conference title with a victory. If Latin wins, the Hawks would tie with Rabun Gap for the championship. Either way, the winner could be the top seed in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs. Hawks’ QB Justin Wheeler (2,018 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) and Providence Day’s Grantt Logan (1,571 yards, 18 TDs) are two of the area’s best.

Community School of Davidson (7-2, 5-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Pine Lake Prep (5-3, 4-1), 7 p.m. – The visiting Spartans have won six in a row, led by LB Aiden Morris (63 tackles) and CB Tanner Mullins (68 tackles). RB Noah Murphy has four 100-yard rushing games for Pine Lake Prep.

Hickory Grove Christian (5-3) at Cabarrus Warriors (6-3), 7 p.m. – This is a tough place for the visiting Lions to snap a three-game losing streak. Warriors QB Tyler Green (1,860 passing yards, 22 touchdowns) and RB Will Jones (1,095 rushing yards, 17 TDs) lead a powerful attack.

Hopewell (1-8, 0-5 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 1 Hough (9-0, 5-0), 7 p.m. – Hopewell played well last week, trailing North Mecklenburg only 13-6 after three quarters before falling 23-6. Hough, with the No. 1 RPI among 4A West schools, will be trying to avoid injuries before launching a run for a possible state title.

Independence (5-4, 3-2 Southwestern 4A) at No. 4 Butler (6-2, 5-0), 7 p.m. – The host Bulldogs have a No. 15 RPI rating in the 4A West and could climb with a victory here. The Patriots will try to stop Butler’s strong ground game, with LB Moshay Saw (59 tackles) leading the way.

Lake Norman Charter (5-3) at Mountain Island Charter (8-1), 7 p.m. – This will be the final high school game for Lake Norman Charter’s senior triplets – Anthony, Brent and Cam Ryerson. Together, they have accounted for 1,200 yards of offense this season. They’ll need some ball control to keep Mountain Island Charter’s offense sidelined. Raptors’ QB Dylan Bisson has a state-leading 3,034 passing yards this season. WR Reginald Taylor has 1,009 receiving yards.

Mallard Creek (4-3, 3-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 2 Chambers (8-1, 4-1), 7 p.m. – The host Cougars have a final tuneup before launching a bid for a third straight state championship. Mallard Creek is near the cutoff line for wild-card playoff hopefuls, and an upset victory here would be priceless.

No. 9 Myers Park (6-3, 3-1 South Meck 4A) at Olympic (5-3, 2-2), 7 p.m. – Myers Park is trying to forget about last week’s 3-0 loss to South Mecklenburg and needs a victory here to grab at least a share of the conference title. Olympic, battling for a playoff wild-card spot, is coming off two narrow losses – 31-29 to South Mecklenburg and 13-12 to Ardrey Kell.

North Mecklenburg (5-3, 3-2 Queen City 3A-4A) at West Charlotte (6-3, 2-3), 7 p.m. – The visiting Vikings are hoping to grab a 4A wild-card playoff spot. The host Lions have clinched a 3A playoff berth. The Vikings’ goal will be to shut down the explosive West Charlotte offense, led by QB Josh Mahatha.

Providence (5-4, 3-2 Southwestern 4A) at East Mecklenburg (1-8, 1-4), 7 p.m. – Providence seeks its fifth straight victory and a third-place finish in the conference. LB Karl Trapp has been a bright spot in an otherwise tough season for the Eagles, with 50 tackles.

No. 8 South Mecklenburg (7-2, 3-1 South Meck 4A) at Harding (2-7, 0-4), 7 p.m. – The Sabres have concentrated this week on avoiding a letdown after their 3-0 shutout of Myers Park last week. A victory in this game gives them at least a share of the conference title. Harding QB Diego Parks is nearing the 1,000-yard passing mark on the season.

Outside Mecklenburg

Burns (7-2, 5-0 South Piedmont 1A-2A) at No. 5 Shelby (8-1, 5-0), 7:30 p.m. – Burns’ powerful defense is led by DB Cahari Haynes (73 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery). Shelby’s powerful offense is led by QB Daylin Lee (1,994 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and no interceptions). The winner takes the conference championship.

Concord (6-2) at A.L. Brown (4-5), 7:30 p.m. – The visiting Spiders are on a six-game winning streak and captured the South Piedmont 3A title. But they’ve lost their last six meetings with rival A.L. Brown.

Crest (6-2, 6-0 Big South 3A) at No. 10 Kings Mountain (8-1, 6-0), 7:30 p.m. – Two strong rushing attacks meet to determine the conference championship. Crest RB Mari Adams has more than 1,500 rushing yards this season. Kings Mountain is averaging 320 rushing yards a game.

Mount Pleasant (6-3, 3-1 Yadkin Valley 1A-2A) at Jay M. Robinson (8-1, 4-0), 7:30 p.m. – The visiting Tigers are coming off a surprising loss to North Stanly. They are led by dual-threat QB Lawson Little. Robinson is averaging 38 points a game, and sophomore QB Isaac Lee threw seven touchdown passes in a single game earlier this month.

No. 3 Richmond Senior (8-1, 5-0 Sandhills 3A-4A) at Scotland County (5-3, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. – The Raiders are averaging 41 points a game, and QB Kellan Hood has thrown for 1,116 yards, rushed for 827 yards, and accounted for 22 touchdowns. Scotland RB R.J. Nicholson is averaging 110 rushing yards per game.

No. 7 Weddington (8-1, 4-0 Southern Carolina 4A) at Marvin Ridge (7-1, 4-0), 7 p.m. – A loss to Ardrey Kell is the only blemish on each team’s record this season. Weddington has limited seven of nine opponents to a touchdown or less. Marvin Ridge QB Evan Medders has thrown for 1,287 yards.

This week’s schedule

(all kickoffs at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)

Wednesday

Western Foothills 3A

Statesville 34, Hickory 13

Mountain Foothills 2A

Hendersonville 70, Patton 20

Catawba Shores 1A-2A

Carver 38, Winston-Salem Prep 6

Thursday

Nonconference

SouthLake Christian at Covenant Day, 7

Friday

Queen City 3A-4A

Hopewell (1-8, 0-5) at Hough (9-0, 5-0), 7

Mallard Creek (4-3, 3-2) at Chambers (8-1, 4-1), 7

North Mecklenburg (5-3, 3-2) at West Charlotte (6-3, 2-3), 7

South Meck 4A

Ardrey Kell (6-2, 3-1) at Berry Academy (3-5, 1-3), 7

Myers Park (6-3, 3-1) at Olympic (5-3, 2-2), 7

South Mecklenburg (7-2, 3-1) at Harding (2-7, 0-4), 7

Southwestern 4A

Independence (4-4, 3-2) at Butler (6-2, 5-0), 7

Providence (5-4, 3-2) at East Mecklenburg (1-8, 1-4), 7

(Rocky River defeats Garinger by forfeit)

Big South 4A (NCISAA)

Charlotte Christian (3-5, 0-4) at Charlotte Country Day (1-7, 0-4), 7

Charlotte Latin (8-1, 3-1) at Providence Day (5-3, 3-1), 7

Greater Metro 4 4A

Hickory Ridge (7-2, 5-0) at West Cabarrus (3-6, 2-3)

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

South Iredell (2-7, 1-4) at Cox Mill (3-5, 1-4)

Southern Carolina 4A

Piedmont (2-7, 0-4) at Cuthbertson (3-6, 1-3), 7

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

Weddington (8-1, 4-0) at Marvin Ridge (7-1, 4-0), 7

Northwestern 3A-4A

Ashe County (1-7, 0-4) at Watauga (7-2, 4-0)

Freedom (4-4, 1-3) at Alexander Central (4-5, 1-3)

Hibriten (6-3, 3-1) at South Caldwell (7-1, 3-1)

Sandhills 3A-4A

Lee County (6-3, 3-2) at Southern Lee (0-8, 0-5)

Pinecrest (7-2, 4-1) at Union Pines (2-7, 1-4), 7

Richmond Senior (8-1, 5-0) at Scotland County (5-3, 2-1)

Big South 3A

Ashbrook (1-7, 1-5) at Hunter Huss (0-8, 0-6)

Crest (6-2, 6-0) at Kings Mountain (8-1, 6-0)

Forestview (4-5, 3-3) at Stuart Cramer (5-4, 3-3)

North Gaston (1-8, 1-5) at South Point (6-3, 4-2)

South Piedmont 3A

Jesse Carson (3-5, 2-3) at South Rowan (2-7, 1-4), 7

Northwest Cabarrus (4-5, 3-2) at Central Cabarrus (1-7, 1-4), 7

West Rowan (5-3, 4-1) at East Rowan (1-7, 1-4), 7

Western Foothills 3A

East Lincoln (6-2, 4-2) at North Lincoln (7-2, 5-1), 7

St. Stephens (1-7, 1-5) at Fred T. Foard (0-8, 0-6), 7

West Iredell (1-6, 1-5) at North Iredell (2-6, 2-4), 7

Rocky River 2A-3A

Anson County (3-6, 0-3) at West Stanly (2-5, 0-3), 7

Forest Hills (6-3, 2-1) at Monroe (5-1, 3-0), 7

Catawba Valley 2A

Bunker Hill (8-1, 5-1) at Bandys (3-5, 1-5)

East Burke (2-6, 1-5) at West Caldwell (0-8, 0-6)

Lincolnton (4-5, 4-2) at West Lincoln (7-2, 4-2)

Newton-Conover (3-5, 3-3) at Maiden (9-0, 6-0)

Mountain Foothills 2A

Polk County (5-3, 2-2) at Brevard (3-5, 1-3)

R-S Central (2-5, 2-2) at Chase (8-1, 3-1)

Catawba Shores 1A-2A

Bishop McGuinness (2-6, 1-4) at Christ the King (2-7, 1-4), 7

Community School of Davidson (7-2, 5-0) at Pine Lake Prep (5-3, 4-1), 7

Central Carolina 1A-2A

North Rowan (6-2, 4-1) at Salisbury (8-0, 5-0)

Thomasville (6-2, 3-2) at Lexington (1-6, 1-4)

West Davidson (1-7, 1-4) at East Davidson (5-4, 3-2)

South Piedmont 1A-2A

Burns (7-2, 5-0) at Shelby (8-1, 5-0)

Cherryville (2-7, 1-4) at Bessemer City (2-7, 1-4)

East Gaston (5-4, 3-2) at Highland Tech (0-8, 0-5)

Western Highlands 1A-2A

Avery County (1-8, 1-4) at Mitchell County (7-2, 5-0)

Draughn (5-4, 4-1) at Mountain Heritage (6-2, 4-1)

Madison County (3-4, 2-2) at C.D. Owen (3-6, 2-3)

Yadkin Valley 1A-2A

Albemarle (2-6, 2-2) at North Stanly (4-4, 3-1)

Mount Pleasant (6-3, 3-1) at Jay M. Robinson (8-1, 4-0)

South Stanly (1-7, 0-4) at Union Academy (0-9, 0-4)

Mecklenburg nonconference

Hickory Grove Christian (5-3) at Cabarrus Warriors (6-3), 7

Lake Norman Charter (5-3) at Mountain Island Charter (8-1), 7

Nonconference

Carolina Bearcats (3-4) at Thomas Jefferson Academy (5-3)

Concord (6-2) at A.L. Brown (4-5)

High Point Christian (3-5) at Rabun Gap School (6-2), 7

Wake Christian (2-4) at Metrolina Christian (8-1), 7

West Wilkes (1-6) at South Davidson (1-7)

Saturday

Pioneer Football League playoffs

(semifinals)

Anderson, SC, Cavaliers (1-5) at Georgia Force (5-2), 2

Cabarrus Stallions (3-5) at Asheville Saints (3-5), 7

Nonconference

Christ School (3-4) at Asheville School (6-2), 1:30

Hickory Hawks (2-6) at Camden (SC) Military (1-3), 2