High school football: Here are 7 playoff games to follow Friday night
(Observer Sweet 16 rankings listed with team)
Greensboro Page (11-1) at No. 2 Mallard Creek (12-0), 7:30 p.m. (4AA playoffs): The visiting Pirates are led by quarterback Javondre Paige, who has passed for 1,900 yards and rushed for more than 600. Page was a state finalist last season. Mallard Creek’s defense looked shaky in last week’s 41-33 victory over North Mecklenburg.
No. 7 Hough (10-3) at No. 6 Myers Park (12-1), 7:30 p.m. (4AA): Two of the area’s most explosive offenses square off. Hough has scored 40 or more points in its past three games. Mustangs QB Brayden Hawkins completed 17 of 28 passes for 178 yards in last week’s victory over Butler.
No. 13 Hickory Ridge (11-2) at No. 8 Vance (10-3), 7:30 p.m. (4A): Vance finally seems to have found some offensive consistency, but the Cougars’ defense will face a big challenge in stopping Hickory Ridge QB Dylan Ratliff and a strong receiver corps.
No. 15 Jay M. Robinson (11-2) at No. 16 Kings Mountain (12-1), 7:30 p.m. (3A): The visiting Bulldogs have won 10 straight and scored 49 or more points in three of their past four games. Sophomore RB Ricaylen Mack averages about 130 rushing yards a game for the Mountaineers, who have won nine straight.
Weddington (10-3) at No. 3 Charlotte Catholic (13-0), 7:30 p.m. (3A): The reigning state 3AA champions, Weddington has shut out three of its past six opponents. But Catholic trounced the Warriors 42-6 on Sept. 28, with running backs Milan Howard and Lamagea McDowell each scoring two touchdowns.
No. 11 Shelby (11-2) at Mount Pleasant (11-2), 7:30 p.m. (2AA): The Golden Lions’ powerful offense will encounter a Mount Pleasant defense that has intercepted 20 passes this season. Warren McClure and Hayden Radford each have five picks..
No. 1 South Pointe (13-0) at Greer (12-1), 7:30 p.m. (S.C. 4A): The Stallions have outscored playoff foes 160-17 and are one step away from a chance to win their fourth straight state title. Greer QB Trey Houston threw five touchdown passes in last week’s rout of Greenville.
Steve Lyttle
This story was originally published November 23, 2017 at 11:25 AM with the headline "High school football: Here are 7 playoff games to follow Friday night."