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Each week, Langston Wertz Jr. offers a list pertinent to high school football.
Best Potential Playoff Matchups
With so many powerhouse teams in the area, the playoffs could be memorable. A look at the best potential matchups:
5. Charlotte Catholic at Kannapolis Brown, 3AA 2nd round, Nov. 20: These two have built quite the playoff rivalry over the years. Each is capable of winning the entire bracket and moving to the state championship game. A potential third-round game with this winner and Belmont South Point would be juicy, too. But South Point would have to get past Gaston County rival Gastonia Forestview in the second round. Forestview beat South Point for the first time in school history this season.
4. Providence at Richmond Senior, 4AA 2nd round, Nov. 20: Richmond has some injury issues with tailback Labarrian Jones (ankle) and quarterback Tedarrius Wiley (shoulder), but this would be a rematch of the Raiders' 27-17 win at Providence in August. Providence was down 10 starters in that one and has played national powers Independence and Butler to close games since.
3. Richmond Senior or Providence vs. Independence or Mallard Creek, 4AA third round, Nov. 27: Any combination of these teams, but probably especially Independence-Richmond, would be a big fan favorite and be a state championship-quality matchup.
2. Independence at Mallard Creek, 4AA 2nd round, Nov. 20: A rematch of one of the best games I've seen in years: Independence's 42-41 win in August that ended when the Mavericks missed a game-winning two-point conversion. Mallard Creek's size and speed caused the Patriots problems, and Independence's offense and experience would be a problem for Mallard Creek. The crowd would be huge.
1. Independence vs. Butler, N.C. 4AA Western Regional championship, Dec. 4: Turnovers ruined the Patriots in last week's 31-24 loss, only their second at home in 10 years. The game drew a record crowd to Independence.
