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High school football fans in Mecklenburg County have plenty of great matchups to see next fall. The Observer obtained schedules from most of the football schools in the county and many games look like standouts.
One of the biggest problems for fans will be figuring out where to be on Aug. 21 when the 2009 season kicks off.
On that night:
State 4A power Winston-Salem Mount Tabor, which was 11-2 last season, visits Butler, which was 12-2.
South Mecklenburg and Charlotte Catholic, two teams that advanced deep into the 4A and 3A playoffs last season, renew their rivalry, which has produced two of the best games in the county the past two seasons.
State powers East Meck (10-3 last season) and West Charlotte (9-4) meet.
And Independence (13-1 last season) plays at Mallard Creek. It should be an emotional night for Mallard Creek, which was forced to forfeit nine wins. a potential unbeaten season and a playoff berth before losing to West Charlotte on their final regular season date. This is the Mavericks first game since the 2008 season ended with that bitter taste.
After that, the great matchups keep coming.
On Sept. 4, S.C. 4A champ Rock Hill South Pointe will play Independence at home (the teams will play in Charlotte in 2010). Independence's opening schedule -- like Butler's -- is rough. The Patriots start with Mallard Creek and Hopewell, then have South Pointe and West Charlotte.
Butler plays at state power Richmond Senior Sept. 11 and West Charlotte the week after that.
Charlotte Catholic and Country Day play for the John Cook Cup on Sept. 4 and the week after Catholic visits Latin in an annual battle of two of the state's best teams.
N.C. Independent School champ Charlotte Christian plays Latin Oct. 2 in a rematch of the Knights' 15-0 championship win.
On Oct. 30, one of the state's best rivalries renews when Country Day visits Charlotte Latin. Also that night, Mallard Creek and West Charlotte could be playing for a ME-CA 7 championship.
Finally, on Nov. 6, Independence and Butler meet at Memorial Stadium.
Note: Independence won't have its annual scrimmage at S.C. power Duncan Byrnes. The Patriots will participate in a national 7-on-7 at Byrnes July 9-11. Independence will scrimmage at Charlotte Catholic Aug. 12 and participate in a multi-team jamboree at Rock Hill Northwestern Aug. 14, then play Spartanburg Aug. 15 at home in a final scrimmage.
