1. Independence (4A) 1-0 2. Rock Hill South Pointe (4A) 2-0 3. Butler (4A) 2-0

4. Clover, S.C. (3A) 3-0 5. Rock Hill Northwestern (4A) 2-0 6. Indian Trail Sun Valley (3A) 3-0 7. South Mecklenburg (4A) 2-0 8. Albemarle (1A) 2-0 9. Northwest Cabarrus (3A) 2-0 10. Char. Country Day (Ind.) 2-0 11. Kannapolis Brown (3A) 2-1 12. Shelby (2A) 1-1 13. West Rowan (3A) 1-1 14. East Mecklenburg (4A) 3-0 15. Belmont South Point (3A) 2-1 16. Boiling Springs Crest (4A) 2-0

Observations

Seems odd that Rock Hill and Northwestern, which share District Three Stadium, are playing in Week 3 rather than the finale, but they're in different S.C. regions. The intensity won't fade at all, much like when rivals Concord and Kannapolis Brown weren't in the same conference a few years back.

Is it just me, or are coaches asking quarterbacks to throw too many low-percentage passes? If your guy's erratic, try short routes, screens or swing passes. Yardage and confidence could skyrocket.

Big test for Charlotte Catholic against Charlotte Latin tonight. The Cougars, heavy favorites to win Queen City 3A/4A, can't afford a third loss and expect home field throughout the playoffs.

Matchups

Berry (0-3) at Butler (2-0)

Berry has trouble scoring, with 20 points in three games. Butler doesn't. The Bulldogs are averaging 40, and ran for 190 yards in a steady rain last week. Markel Moore (215 yards and five touchdowns) is Butler's top running threat.

Charlotte Christian (3-0) at Asheville (0-1)

Christian has won three by shutout, and a combined 128-0 score. Asheville is coming off a bye week.

Char. Country Day (2-0) at McCallie, TN (1-2)

This game will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. Country Day's victories have been on the road, and the Bucs have allowed 10 points. McCallie, a boarding school in Chattanooga, has lost two straight after beating Providence Day in the opener.

Charlotte Latin (2-0) at Charlotte Catholic (1-2)

Latin, after 57-0 and 56-0 victories, will step up in class. Catholic's Joe Felts has rushed for 365 yards and three touchdowns, and Johnny O'Boyle and Mark Moll have 23 tackles apiece.

East Mecklenburg (3-0) at Garinger (0-2)

Defense has fueled East Meck's fast start. The Eagles have limited foes to an average of 6.6 points. Any points would be positive for Garinger, which has been shut out in both games. Wildcats Joseph Taylor (25 tackles) and Maurice Bethea (120 rushing yards) have played well.

Jireh Prep (2-1) at Char. Victory Christian (0-2)

Victory Christian hopes to rebound from a slow start and two home losses. Jireh Prep has scored 34 and 28 in its two-game winning streak.

Hickory Grove (3-0) at Asheville School (1-2)

Hickory Grove has threats in Dayne Pickett (four touchdown passes), Colin Pollinger (200 rushing yards) and Landon Adams (13 receptions, two touchdowns). Asheville School must tighten a defense that has allowed an average of 39 points.

Hopewell (1-1) at Providence (1-2)

Providence snapped a two-game slide last week, and allowed a season-low eight points. The Panthers haven't topped 16 points. Hopewell's pass defense struggled last week.

Independence (1-0) at West Charlotte (2-1)

Independence quarterback Anthony Carrothers was 16-of-20 for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the opener two weeks ago. The Patriots spread the ball to several receivers. West Charlotte halfback Scoot Simmons (leg) is doubtful, but Josh Covington ran for 184 yards in a fill-in role last week.

Myers Park (2-1) at Mallard Creek (3-0)

Myers Park passed for 272 yards and ran for 117 last week against Hopewell. Stuart Ahlum had three touchdown passes. Mallard Creek, the area's surprise team, has scored 23 or more in every game.

Northside Christian (0-2) at Wake Christian (0-3)

Northside Christian hasn't allowed much (27 points), but hasn't scored much either (six points). It will be the first of three straight road games for Northside.

Olympic (1-2) at South Mecklenburg (2-0)

Olympic's strength is passing, with Lucas Beatty (388 passing yards) and Blair Boler (21 receptions, 190 yards). South Meck runs the ball well, with a deep backfield that includes Tim Palmer (a 300-yard game this season), Spencer Shuey and Larry Kennedy Jr. The Sabres are averaging 39.5 points.

Providence Day (2-1) at Davie County (2-1)

Providence rolled up 376 yards last week and scored in every quarter. Terrell Tyrance has rushed for 421 yards and seven touchdowns, and Gary Scott has thrown for 537 yards and two scores. Davie County, No.6 in the N.C. 4A poll, hasn't had trouble scoring, with 41, 35, and 34 points.

SouthLake (2-1) at Westminster Catawba (0-3)

Polished offense vs. struggling offense. SouthLake has scored 49, 37 and 35. Westminster Catawba scored a touchdown in its opener, and has been shut out the past two games.

Vance (1-2) at Harding (0-2)

Vance didn't do much offensively last week against Butler, but did score on Casey Ifedi's interception return. Harding's L.J. McCray and Marquette Brown ran for scores last week, but the Rams allow an average of 29 points.

West Mecklenburg (1-1) at Ardrey Kell (1-1)

West Meck limited East Meck to less than 200 yards last week, and forced three turnovers. Ardrey Kell's defense was impressive last week also, with five sacks and an interception against Olympic.

By The Numbers

0: Points allowed by Charlotte Christian in three games.

3: Consecutive games in which West Charlotte has returned an interception for a touchdown.

13: Receptions by Myers Park wideout Banks Jenkins last week, totaling 205 yards.

443: Rushing yards in two games for Mooresville's Jishaun Pinkston, who also has run for eight touchdowns.

Notes

Patriots' Rhynes cleared to return

Independence coach Tom Knotts, on the return of receiver Michael Rhynes: “He came down hard on his knee getting ready for the first game. It was diagnosed as a bruise. According to the doctor, it's up to him whether he plays. He's cleared to play (today). We're leaving it up to him. I want him to get well because he'll be a weapon, especially in the red zone. He's a legit 6-6 and it seems like he gets taller every day. He's a head taller than everyone else.”

Kennedy Charter (0-2) will host the Raleigh Titans (2-1) in its home opener at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Jay Robinson Middle School. Kennedy's Marquavius Houston and DaQuan Jeter have played well

Marvin Ridge's Diego Lawrence touched the ball five times in the first half last week – producing three rushing touchdowns and a 78-yard kickoff return for a score. His one touch that wasn't a score was a 25-yard gain. He played one half and had 174 all-purpose yards.

3 Things To Watch

1 WEST CHARLOTTE'S BLOCKING: The Lions must be able to run effectively against Independence, to control the clock. They also should expect plenty of blitzing.

2 MONROE'S OFFENSE: The Redhawks (3-0) average 31.6 points behind Denard Covington (326 rushing yards), Nolan McBride (506 passing yards, seven touchdowns) and wideouts Quan Threat and Isaac Blakeney (combined five scoring catches).

3 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN'S RUNNING GAME: Ty Linton (105 yards on nine carries) and Michael Selan (107 yards on 10 attempt) average more than 10 yards per carry.

Schedule

Games at 7:30, unless noted

N. Carolina

Bel. South Point at Alexander Central

Berry at Butler, 7

Boiling Springs Crest at Shelby

Charlotte Christian at Asheville

Charlotte Latin at Charlotte Catholic

Chatham Central at N. Stanly

Concord at Piedmont

E. Burke at Gastonia Huss

E. Gaston at E. Lincoln

E. Mecklenburg at Garinger, 7

Jireh Prep at Char. Victory Christian

Forest City Chase at Cherryville

Gastonia Ashbrook at Lawndale Burns

Gastonia Forestview at Kings Mountain

Gastonia Highland at Bessemer City

Got Kids? Acad. at Calhoun Falls Charter

Hickory at Catawba Bandys

Hickory Grove at Asheville School

Hopewell at Providence, 7

Independence at W. Charlotte, 7

Lenoir Hibriten at Claremont Bunker Hill

Lincolnton at N. Gaston

Monroe at Marvin Ridge

Monroe Parkwood at Anson Senior

Mooresville at China Grove Carson

Mount Pleasant at Central Cabarrus

Myers Park at Mallard Creek, 7

Newton Foard at Maiden

Newton-Conover at

Hickory St. Stephens

N. Iredell at W. Rowan

N. Rowan at East Bend Forbush

Northside Christian at Wake Christian

NW Cabarrus at S. Rowan

Olympic at S. Mecklenburg, 7

Porter Ridge at Hickory Ridge

Prince Avenue Prep at AFC Rangers

Providence Day at Davie Co.

R-S Central at McDowell

S. Caldwell at Wilkes Central

Statesville at S. Iredell

Sun Valley at Kannapolis Brown

Thomasville at Albemarle

Vance at Harding, 7

Watauga at N. Surry

Weddington at Marshville Forest Hills

W. Caldwell at Morganton Patton

W. Iredell at E. Rowan

W. Lincoln at E. Rutherford

W. Mecklenburg at Ardrey Kell, 7

W. Montgomery at Monroe Central

W. Stanly at Salisbury

SATURDAY

Raleigh Titans at Kennedy Charter, 12:30

Charlotte Country Day at McCallie School, 1

S. Carolina

Broome at Fort Mill

Fort Mill Nation Ford at Lewisville

Lancaster at Buford

Pageland Central at Indian Land

Rock Hill South Pointe at Clover

Rock Hill Northwestern at Rock Hill

SouthLake Christian at Westminster Catawba

York at Boiling Springs