Charlotte Observer high school football games of the week

Vance (14-1) vs. Wake Forest (13-0), Fri, 7:30, Duke, NCHSAA 4AA state final: Vance is in the finals for the first time. The Cougars, the underdog Saturday, will look to bring home the 4AA title to Mecklenburg County for the first time since Mallard Creek won in 2015. Wake Forest has won 44 straight games and two straight state titles. Vance’s defense is allowing 9.6 points per game but will be challenged by a run-heavy Wake offense that averages 44 points. Wake allows less than nine points per game.

Charlotte Catholic (14-1) vs. Jacksonville (11-1), Sat, 11 a.m., UNC, NCHSAA 3A state final: Catholic will try to repeat as 3A state champion and is in a state final for the fourth time in five seasons. Catholic brings a defense that has allowed less than seven points per game. Jacksonville’s in its first final since losing 28-7 to Boiling Springs Crest in the 1994 4A final. It’s Jacksonville’s third trip to the finals.

Weddington (14-1) vs. Southeast Guilford, Fri, 7:30 p.m., UNC, NCHSAA 3AA state final: Weddington won the 2016 3AA state championship and was runner-up in 2014. This season, the Warriors’ only loss was to Charlotte Catholic and they’ve won nine straight games. Southeast Guilford rallied from a 26-7 deficit to beat Cleveland 37-33 Friday to qualify.

Shelby (12-3) vs. North Davidson (13-2), Sat, 2:30 p.m., N.C. State, NCHSAA 2AA state final: Shelby rebounded from a 1-3 start to return to its fifth state championship in six years. North Davidson has won four straight since a 9-7 loss to Ledford and is averaging 46 points in the run.