Observations

Just wanted to give the Mecklenburg County ADs a standing ovation. The field conditions I've seen, especially given an oppressive summer, have been amazing.

West Charlotte and Harding's game are fun to watch. The two schools have as many skilled athletes as anyone, but if I'm telling the truth, the battle of the bands at half is just as good - or better - than the ball.

There's two ways to know when Catholic is state championship-contending good: When they've got a good fullback and a great offensive line. Check and check. Steven Bevilacqua has 233 yards and six scores behind a massive group of blockers.

With South Carolina-bound K.J. Brent attracting double-teams every week, Marvin Ridge's "other" receiver, J.C. Yowze has 11 catches for 216 yards and three TDs.

I wonder if the "Friday night kids" realize how lucky they are to be covered by several newspapers, five TV stations and radio every week. Many won't get this type coverage in college. Cherish this, guys.

Elevator

Elevator

Rocky River uniforms: Love the orange and brown Cleveland Brown "look-alikes," and this coming from a guy who loved the Steelers growing up.

Scheduling: Instead of powers playing for easy wins, we're getting great matchups like Catholic-Country Day and Indy-South Pointe this week, then Butler-Richmond next Saturday.

Chris Leak: Former Independence QB to start for division leading Montreal of the Canadian league tonight against the BC Lions.

Meck matchups

Charlotte Country Day (1-0) at Charlotte Catholic (2-0)

No. 12 Country Day has won four straight in this series, which awards the winner the John Cook Cup. No. 10 Catholic started 2-0 last year, but a loss to Country Day started a four-game losing streak that led to a disappointing 7-5 season.

Harding (0-1) vs. W. Charlotte (2-0) at Memorial Stadium

West Charlotte is going for its first 3-0 start since 2007. The Lions have outscored their first two opponents 59-14. Harding lost 61-0 to Mallard Creek last week. Expect strong ticket sales and a major battle of the bands at halftime.

Rock Hill South Pointe (1-1) at Independence (0-1)

Independence has not lost two games in a row since before the 2000 season. South Pointe lost a two-touchdown lead to nationally ranked Rock Hill Northwestern last week on national TV, giving up 35 points in about five minutes. Think the Stallions did some running this week?

Butler (1-0) at Vance (1-0)

Vance has a history of playing good teams tough at home. Vance won 21-20 in 2006, but Butler's won the last three meetings 51-3, 31-13 and 47-0.

Ardrey Kell (1-0) at West Mecklenburg (0-2)

West Meck played unbeaten West Charlotte tough last week before losing 16-7. Ardrey Kell's Justus Pickett had more than 400 yards total offense in 34-14 win over North Meck.

Regional contests

Olympic (1-1) at Indian Trail Sun Valley (1-0)

Trojans starting quarterback Cason Beatty suffered a concussion against Myers Park and won't play. Sophomore Chase Shuford, coach Barry Shuford's son, will start tonight. "I'm glad I'm coaching defense," Barry Shuford said, "and I don't have to worry about it." Sun Valley is coached by Scott Stein, who previously coached at East Meck and Olympic. Sun Valley rallied from 14 down to win 27-21 last season.

Providence Day (1-0) at Swain County (2-0)

Swain County has two shutouts this season and has won nine straight home games, a run of nearly two years. Providence Day beat Swain 39-29 last year and started with a 39-0 win over Victory Christian last week. Star tailback Josh Covington rushed 18 times for 202 yards and four scores.

Anson Senior (0-2) at Richmond Senior (2-0)

Richmond's defense has given up 42 points in two weeks. Anson reached the N.C. 3AA semifinals last year, but is off to a disappointing start.

Of particular interest

1 South Pointe star power: .It's not every day that the (near) consensus No. 1 high school player in America is in your town, but the Stallions' defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is that guy and he'll be in Mint Hill to face Independence tonight. He wears No. 7, but you won't have to look hard to find him.

2 A Hough win streak?: It's rare that a first-year school win its first game, which Hough did last week. It's rarer still to win your first two. Waddell (1-1) comes in off a 55-7 loss to rival South Meck. This one should be close.

3 Myers Park magic: No score more surprising last week than Mustangs' 39-6 win over then Sweet 16 No.16 Olympic. Myers Park, 2-0 under new coach Greg Taylor, may have something.

Notes

Recruit Watch

Charlotte Christian defensive back/wide receiver Matthias Farley is playing football for the second year. He's committed to Notre Dame. He's fast and an amazing talent. His team plays at home tonight against Liberty Christian (VA), which lost twice last season - 28-14 at home to Christian and in the state championship game.

Fat Friday on tap

Tonight, Morganton Freedom visits East Burke in a renewal of one of the more special rivalries in the state. The meeting is dubbed "Fat Friday." It's an intense football game but also part family reunion. Both teams are 0-1 and each will want that first win, especially against the big rival.

Lions hope to find offense

West Charlotte has a lot of offensive weapons, but in last week's 16-7 win over West Meck, the Lions weren't clicking. West Charlotte was 0-for-7 passing in the first half with three interceptions. That must improve if the Lions hope to challenge Mallard Creek for the I-MECK championship.

Stat leaders, standings online

Get standings, leaders, rosters and more at charlotteobserver.com/prepstats.

Schedule

Games at 7:30, unless noted (*denotes highlights on WCNC, Channel 36 tonight at 11:13).

North Carolina

Alexander Central at North Iredell

Anson County at Richmond Senior

Ardrey Kell at West Mecklenburg, 7

Asheville Roberson at Crest

Avery County at Watauga

Bessemer City at Forest City Chase

Butler at Vance, 7*

Central Cabarrus at Hickory Ridge

Char. Country Day at Char. Catholic*

Cherryville at West Henderson

Clover (S.C.) at Gastonia Forestview

Concord Robinson at Piedmont

Cuthbertson at Marvin Ridge

East Meck at Mallard Creek, 7

East Rowan at Concord*

East Rutherford at McDowell

East Surry at North Lincoln

Gastonia Highland at Bishop McGuinness

Hickory at Newton-Conover*

Hickory St. Stephens at Bunker Hill

Kennedy Charter at East Lincoln

Kings Mountain at Lawndale Burns

Lake Norman Charter at Garinger, 7

Liberty Chris., Va., at Charlotte Christian

Maiden at Lincolnton*

Marshville Forest Hills at Porter Ridge

Mooresville at Catawba Bandys

Monroe at Mount Pleasant

Monroe Parkwood at Concord Cox Mill

Morganton Freedom at East Burke

Morganton Patton at North Wilkes

Myers Park at Hopewell, 7*

North Gaston at Weddington

North Raleigh at Hickory Grove

North Stanly at Albemarle

NW Cabarrus at South Rowan

NW Halifax at Weldon

Olympic at Indian Trail Sun Valley*

Polk County at R-S Central

Providence at North Meck, 7

Providence Day at Swain County

Rock Hill South Pointe at Independence, 7*

Rocky River at Berry, 7

Salisbury at China Grove Carson

Shelby at Gastonia Ashbrook

South Caldwell at Valdese Draughn

South Iredell at West Iredell

South Point at East Gaston

Statesville at Lake Norman

Thomasville at Kannapolis Brown*

Victory Christian at Concord Cannon

Waynesville Tuscola at Gastonia Huss

Waddell at Hough, 7

Wake Christian at Southlake Christian

Ware Shoals (S.C.) at Charlotte Latin

West Caldwell at Lenoir Hibriten

West Charlotte vs. Harding at Memorial Stadium, 7*

West Lincoln at Newton Foard

West Rowan at Davie County

South Carolina

Fort Mill at Ridge View

Clover at Gastonia Forestview

Fort Mill Nation Ford at Rock Hill

Indian Land at Blacksburg

Lancaster at Chester

Rock Hill South Pointe at Independence

York at Rock Hill Northwestern