High School Football kicks off Friday, and here’s what you need to know
Believe it not, the 2019 high school football season begins Friday. No, not scrimmages — real games.
Most schools, including those in the NC High School Athletic Association, will start next week, beginning with a Thursday doubleheader at the Matthews Sportsplex. )Charlotte Christian vs. Sun Valley at 5 p.m., followed by Butler vs. Hough — a pair of N.C. 4AA state championship contenders.)
But a few private schools kick off Friday, a week earlier than their public counterparts.
Here is a preview of Friday’s area games, a full schedule as well as a schedule of preseason games for area public schools.
Friday’s regular-season previews
Covenant Day at Charlotte Latin, 7 p.m. -- Covenant Day was a surprising 6-5 last year but struggled against 4A foes like Charlotte Latin. The visiting Lions will hope their defense, anchored by 250-pound end David Billiard, can slow down a Latin attack featuring quarterback Jake Helfrich and running backs Ja’Varis Bufford and Carter Stockwell.
Cabarrus Warriors at North Raleigh Christian, 7 p.m. -- History will be made here, as Concord First Assembly and Concord Cannon School play for the first time as a combined team, the Warriors. Coach Brad Hoover (the former Carolina Panthers’ running back) has 15 returning starters. North Raleigh Christian lost most of its playmakers from a 1-9 team of a year ago.
Indian Trail Metrolina Christian at Southlake Christian, 7 p.m. -- Metrolina Christian scored a 33-8 victory when these teams met a year ago. The host Eagles will be tested by Metrolina quarterback Angel Gonzalez, who threw for 833 yards in a backup role last season. The Warriors’ ground game is rebuilding, with 1,000-yard rusher Jack Crump now playing at Monroe.
-- Steve Lyttle
Friday’s regular-season schedule
(all kickoffs at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
(last year’s records in parentheses)
Friday
N.C. Nonconference
Cabarrus Warriors (0-0) at North Raleigh Christian (1-9)
Carolina Bearcats (4-6) vs. Statesville Christian (3-4), at Weddington Optimist Park
Covenant Day (6-5) at Charlotte Latin (6-5), 7
Indian Trail Metrolina Christian (8-4) at Southlake Christian (7-5), 7
Interstate
Rock Hill Carolina Crusaders (1-8) at Asheville Saints (6-4), 7
Saturday
N.C. nonconference
Cabarrus Stallions (6-5) at Chapel Hill AHOP Christian (0-5), 1
This weekend’s scrimmage schedule
FRIDAY AUG. 16
▪ Burke County Jamboree at East Burke (Draughn vs. Bandys. 5 p.m.; Patton vs. Madison, 6:05; Freedom vs. Lake Norman, 7:10; East Burke vs. R-S Central, 8:15)
▪ Cabarrus County Jamboree at Central Cabarrus (Cox Mill vs. Ashbrook, 9 a.m.; Hickory Ridge vs JM Robinson, 10 a.m.; Concord vs. Garinger, 4; AL Brown vs. Nation Ford, 5; Mt Pleasant vs Harding, 6; Central Cabarrus vs. Berry, 7; Central Cabarrus vs. Porter Ridge 8)
▪ Carolina Preps Jamboree at Mooresville High (Charlotte Christian vs. South Meck, 6:30 p.m.; South Iredell vs. Hickory, 7:30; North Meck vs. Statesville, 8:30; Mooresville vs. Myers Park, 9:30)
▪ Cleveland County Jamboree at Burns (Shelby vs. Lincolnton, 6 p.m.; Kings Mountain vs. Newton-Conover, 7; Crest vs. AC Reynolds, 8; Burns vs. Independence, 9)
Charlotte Catholic vs. Olympic at Hopewell, 6 p.m.
Chase at Chesnee, 7 p.m.
Chester, SC, Jamboree, time TBD
Forest Hills at Albemarle, 6 p.m.
▪ Gaston County FCA Jamboree at Stuart Cramer High (Highland Tech vs. Catawba Ridge, 5 p.m.; North Gaston vs. Bessemer City, 6; Hunter Huss vs. Clover, 7; Stuart Cramer vs. East Lincoln, 8)
Hibriten at South Point, 10 a.m.
Independence at Burns, 9 p.m.
Lewisville at Chester, 6 p.m.
Mallard Creek vs. East Forsyth at BB&T Stadium, 7 p.m.
▪ Olympic Jamboree (CATA vs. Olympic JV, 5; Charlotte Catholic vs. NW Cabarrus, 6; Blythewood vs. Olympic, 7; Dudley vs. Vance, 8)
Piedmont at South Stanly, 6:30 p.m.
Providence at Northwestern, 8:30 p.m.
Richmond Senior vs. Southview at Gray’s Creek, time TBD
▪ Rocky River Jamboree (East Meck, Hopewell, Rocky River, Sun Valley), 5 p.m.
▪ Rowan County Jamboree at North Rowan High (West Stanly vs. Carson, 6 p.m.; West Iredell vs. East Rowan, 7; Salisbury vs. West Rowan, 8; South Rowan vs. North Rowan, 9)
West Caldwell at West Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
▪ Andrew Jackson Kick-Off Classic (Monroe vs. Indian Land, 6; West Meck vs. Lancaster, 7; McBee vs. Buford, 8; Anson Senior vs. Andrew Jackson, 9)
Cuthbertson at Ardrey Kell, TBD
Porter Ridge at Ardrey Kell, 5:30 p.m.
▪ South Iredell Jamboree (South Iredell vs. Mooresville, 6 p.m.; Statesville vs. Northwest Cabarrus, 6; South Iredell vs. Northwest Cabarrus, 7; Statesville vs. Mooresville, 7)
This story was originally published August 15, 2019 at 12:19 PM.