Round 2 of the NC high school football playoffs is complete. Scores, schedules, more

West Charlotte played Providence at home Friday in the second round of the playoffs.

The Lions won, 41-0 (full story below), but for the third straight home game, West Charlotte faced some Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ restrictions.

West Charlotte’s home games with Independence and North Mecklenburg were played before limited audiences after CMS enacted policies to increase safety at games.

But while Olympic and Mallard Creek and Independence have had one game affected, West Charlotte has been hit much harder.

Friday it was a 6 p.m. start, one hour earlier than four other CMS home games played on the same night. Also, no fans were allowed in at West Charlotte who under 21 unless they were accompanied by someone at least 21.

Next week, the Lions will host Myers Park in perhaps the Mecklenburg County game of the year so far.

West Charlotte officials say they lost $25,000 in revenue from the Independence game alone. Will CMS again limit fans from a game a lot of people will want to see?

Stay tuned.

QUICK LINKS

The Talking Preps postgame show

Near fight mars Sun Valley’s playoff win over Olympic

Myers Park rolls past Chambers on night honoring deceased student Parker South

West Charlotte’s playoff game started at 6 on Friday. What we know.

Beady Waddell steps down as West Meck head coach

Meet the 12 Mr. Football semifinalists for NC player of the year award

Watch the Talking Preps Mr. Football semifinalist show

Meet the Week 1 NC high school football playoff players of the week

How The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 fared

Rk., School, Rec., Friday

1. Providence Day (11-0) d. Cannon 41-7

2. Hough (11-0) d. Palisades 63-7

3. West Charlotte (9-2) d. Providence 41-0

4. Weddington (10-1) d. Marvin Ridge 63-0

5. Mooresville (9-2) d. Butler 38-14

6. Independence (9-2) d. Page 45-6

7. Ashbrook (11-0) d. Statesville 22-14

8. Myers Park (9-2) d. Chambers 42-0

9. East Lincoln (9-1) d. West Henderson 56-15

10. JM Robinson (10-1) d. North Davidson 42-0

11. Lake Norman (8-3) d. East Forsyth 28-14

12. Mallard Creek (7-4) lost 22-10 to West Forsyth

13. Providence (7-4) lost 41-0 to West Charlotte

14. South Point (9-2) d. Clyde Erwin 48-13

15. Corvian Community (9-1) d. North Rowan 45-7

16. Palisades (7-4) lost 63-7 to Hough

West Charlotte dominates Providence in 6 p.m. game

West Charlotte’s football team was ready for the early kickoff Friday night.

The start of their 8A playoff game moved an hour earlier than usual, West Charlotte’s Lions scored on their first possession and continued to roll from there, rolling over Providence 41-0.

The West Charlotte-Providence game originally had been set for a 7 p.m. kickoff, but it was moved to 6 p.m. with admission restrictions. Fans under the age of 21 were not admitted unless accompanied by an adult.

It was the third time this season that West Charlotte’s kickoff time had been moved, apparently by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials, from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. CMS had instituted safety restrictions in October after violent incidents took place at CMS campuses during or after games.

West Charlotte (9-2), which throttled Providence 42-7 earlier this season, was ready on Friday night, though.

The Lions took the game’s opening possession and drove for a touchdown, scoring on a 10-yard run by quarterback Jamouri Nichols.

The Lions then held the Panthers (8-4) on their first possession and forced a punt. West Charlotte’s Sincere Daye returned the kick nearly 60 yards to the Providence 10. Jamil Watson then ran 10 yards, giving West Charlotte a 14-0 lead.

The Lions struck with a big play in the second quarter, Nichols connected with Donte Nicholson on a 71-yard scoring strike, giving West Charlotte a 20-0 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, West Charlotte surged again in the final period.

Watson struck again midway through the fourth quarter, scoring on a 5-yard run and building West Charlotte’s lead to 27-0. Then Daye picked off a Providence pass and returned the interception 31 yards for a touchdown and a 34-0 lead.

The West Charlotte defense struck again moments later, as Daiquan Bowman returned another interception for a touchdown.

Chargers, Knights to play for title

It’ll be a neighborhood rivalry game to decide the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division 1 football championship next Friday.

Top-seeded Providence Day walloped Cannon School 41-7 in one semifinal Friday night, while third seed Charlotte Christian held off second-seeded Rabun School, the defending state champion, 55-48.

Charlotte Christian (7-5) will play at Providence Day (12-0) for the title next Friday.

Providence Day 41, Cannon School 7: Zaid Lott completed 10 of 14 passes for 223 yards and five touchdowns, as the Chargers raced to a 41-0 halftime lead and cruised.

Gordon Sellars caught four passes for 125 yards. He caught scoring tosses from Lott covering 37, 70 and 7 yards.

Lott also ran for a touchdown, as the Chargers beat the Cougars (7-5) for the second time this season.

Charlotte Christian 55, Rabun School 48: The Knights traveled into northeast Georgia and pulled a mild upset, as Elliott Newcomb threw five touchdown passes and ran for a score. Jamal Rule had two touchdown runs and a touchdown catch.

Charlotte Christian led 41-27 at halftime, but the host Eagles (7-5) cut the gap to 41-34 late in the third quarter.

The Knights took a big chance on their next possession, going for it on fourth-and-2 at their own 35. Newcomb surprised the Rabun Gap defense by throwing a 65-yard touchdown pass to Tate Estep. That gave the Knights a 48-34 lead.

Rabun Gap answered with a score, but Newcomb ran 3 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes left, building the lead to 55-41.

Rabun Gap scored again with 5:43 left, but Charlotte Christian put together a long drive that ate up most of the remaining time.

NCHSAA PLAYOFFS

CLASS 8A

Hough 63, Palisades 7: The top-seeded Huskies (11-0) scored 28 points in both the first and second quarters and were never threatened.

Ethan Royal threw four touchdown passes, and Hough also scored on three touchdown runs and a 55-yard fumble return. Palisades finished its most successful season with an 8-4 record.

West Forsyth 22, Mallard Creek 10: The host Mavericks (7-4) trailed 16-10 at halftime, but West Forsyth (10-1) scored a key touchdown on a short run with five minutes to play.

CLASS 7A

Independence 45, Page 6: Jayden Jones carries 16 times for 162 yards and scored a touchdown, as the Patriots (9-2) crushed the Pirates (8-4). Travis Hill, returning from a midseason injury, ran for two more touchdowns.

Jared Street threw for 213 yards, including two touchdowns. And Jackson Finley kicked a 38-yard field goal and all six of his extra-point attempts.

Lake Norman 28, East Forsyth 14: The host Wildcats (8-3) broke a 14-14 halftime tie on Kaden Craft’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Doc Caldwell midway through the third quarter. Craft then ran 11 yards for a touchdown with one minute left in the period, giving Lake Norman a 28-14 lead.

Noah Jacobson made a key interception of an East Forsyth pass in Lake Norman territory in the fourth quarter.

Mooresville 38, Butler 14: Butler (5-7) led 7-3 after one quarter, but the Blue Devils (9-2) outscored the Bulldogs 21-0 in the second quarter.

A 20-yard touchdown run put Mooresville up 10-7 early in the second quarter, and the Blue Devils blocked a Butler punt minutes later. Quarterback Brody Norman threw a 13-yard touchdown pass, putting Mooresville ahead 17-7.

Ja’Darius McCombs then ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and the Blue Devils pulled away.

Reagan 42, A.L. Brown 7: John Evans Jr. ran for four touchdowns, including a 50-yard dash early in the third quarter, and host Reagan (9-2) swamped the Wonders (8-4). A.J. Settles scored on a 2-yard run for A.L. Brown, which trailed only 14-7 at halftime.

Evans’ 50-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the third quarter started Reagan’s surge.

Richmond Senior 48, Porter Ridge 43: The host Raiders (9-2) rallied for a touchdown drive in the final two minutes and survived an upset bid by the Pirates (7-5).

Porter Ridge trailed 42-28 after three quarters, but Rai’Shawn Elmore scored on a 2-yard run with 10 minutes left, and Corbin Donnahoo threw a 59-yard scoring pass to Elmore with three minutes left. Elmore then ran for a two-point conversion, giving Porter Ridge a 43-42 lead.

The Raiders drove 75 yards in the closing minutes and scored on Chance Crowder’s 2-yard run with 35 seconds to play.

CLASS 6A Ashbrook 22, Statesville 14: The unbeaten Green Wave (11-0) survived an upset bid by the Greyhounds (8-4), who led 14-6 at halftime.

Tyreek Carter ran 6 yards for a Statesville touchdown, and Jaikoda Harrington threw a 22-yard scoring toss to Isaiah Crosland, as the Greyhounds built their intermission lead.

But Ashbrook scored on a safety, then on a 2-yard run by Savion Lindsay with one minute left in the third quarter. The conversion kick put Ashbrook ahead 15-14.

A.J. McClain, who ran for Ashbrook’s first-half touchdown, got the final score on a 10-yard run.

Charlotte Catholic 27, A.C. Reynolds 0: Kellan Nalitz ran for scored of 3 and 12 yards, and Garrett Nowlan and Max Whalen also had touchdown runs for the Cougars (9-4). Charlotte Catholic scored once in every quarter and kept the visiting Rockets (7-5) bottled up in their own territory much of the night.

Nalitz’s 12-yard run, in the fourth quarter, capped an 80-yard drive.

CLASS 5A

Crest 69, Concord 6: The Spiders (7-5) ran into a buzzsaw at Crest (9-2), as the Chargers raced to a 42-0 lead after one quarter. Ely Hamrick threw six touchdown passes, including a 72-yarder.

Crest also scored on a 50-yard fumble return.

Franklin 14, Forest Hills 13: Forest Hills (9-3) battled back from a 14-0 deficit but lost when Franklin (9-2) blocked the extra-point kick after the Yellow Jackets’ second touchdown.

Kylan Polk’s 10-yard run left Forest Hills down 14-7 with 11 minutes left, and Polk ran 2 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes remaining. The Jackets’ final possession ended with an interception.

Monroe 49, West Rowan 14: The Redhawks (7-3) cruised, as Brayden Gracetta threw three touchdown passes. One of those scoring tosses covered 80 yards to Bryson Simpkins. Jamir Jackson scored on a 50-yard run and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jysen Shepherd.

South Point 48, Clyde Erwin 13: Patrick Blee ran for four touchdowns, including a 48-yarder, as the top-seeded Raiders (9-2) rolled to victory. South Point led Erwin (4-8) 35-7 at halftime.

CLASS 4A

Stuart Cramer 60, Bandys 49: The host Storm (9-2) led 19-0 in the first quarter after Dominick McCorkle’s touchdown run, but Bandys (6-6) battled back and made a game of it.

Clee Phillips’ 27-yard run early in the third quarter gave the Storm a 40-14 lead, and it was enough to hold off the Trojans.

CLASS 3A

Lincolnton 28, Hendersonville 27: Hendersonville (9-3) scored a touchdown with eight minutes left but missed the game-tying extra point, and Lincolnton (9-2) hung on for the victory.

Jalaythan Mayfield ran for two touchdowns, and Rashad Lynch threw scoring passes of 80 and 12 yards to his brother, R.J.

CLASS 2A

Community School of Davidson 65, Swain County 13: The Spartans (7-4) broke open a tight game in Bryson City with a huge second quarter. The Spartans led 14-7 after one period but outscored the Maroon Devils 37-0 in the second quarter.

Ty Sigler had a huge night, throwing five touchdown passes and running for another score. Sam Mack caught scoring tosses of 44, 14 and 27 yards.

Cade Rasmussen came up with a big defensive play, returning an interception 39 yards for a touchdown.

Corvian Community 45, North Rowan 7: The Cardinals (9-1) put together one of their best offensive performances of the season, as B.J. McAdoo ran for a pair of touchdowns in the first half.

Corvian Community broke a scoreless tie with three minutes left in the first quarter, on a 9-yard pass from Aidan Holt to Cameron Clark. Desmond Walker ran 55 yards for a touchdown just two minutes later, and the Cardinals added second-quarter touchdowns on runs of 10 and 2 yards by McAdoo.

That gave Corvian a 28-7 halftime lead, and the Cardinals cruised.

South Stanly 38, Christ the King 0: The Crusaders (7-4) saw their season end on a flat note at South Stanly (9-2). The host Rowdy Rebel Bulls got three touchdown passes from Kaleb Richardson, and Jasiah Holt scored on a 50-yard run.

Son of Panthers’ GM Dan Morgan having big season

In Union County, Brady Morgan is making a big impact for Marvin Ridge High, which was scheduled to play Weddington in a second round NCHSAA 7A playoff game Friday.

Brady is the son of Carolina Panthers’ GM Dan Morgan, who once helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl as a player.

Brady’s story is at this link.

NCHSAA announces football championship sites

The N.C. High School Athletic Association announced dates and sites for its football championship games.

Which classes will be where will be determined later, though with the 8A and 1A classes having a bye on Dec. 5, it seems a pretty safe bet that those two would play Dec. 11 at UNC.

Thursday, December 11 At Kenan Stadium on the Campus of the University of North Carolina 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Friday, December 12 At Kenan Stadium on the Campus of the University of North Carolina 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 13 At Helen & Leonard Moretz Stadium on the Campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. At Durham County Memorial Stadium 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

THE PICKS

THE SCHEDULE

(all kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted)

NCHSAA playoffs

CLASS 8A

Friday’s second round

West

Hough 63, Palisades 7

Myers Park 42, Chambers 0

West Charlotte 41, Providence 0

West Forsyth 22, Mallard Creek 10

East

Hoggard 63, Willow Spring 7

Jordan 28, Leesville Road 24

Millbrook 65, Panther Creek 0

Rolesville 14, Apex Friendship 7

Next Friday’s quarterfinals

West

Myers Park (9-2) at West Charlotte (9-2)

West Forsyth (10-2) at Hough (11-0)

East

Jordan (11-0) at Millbrook (11-0)

Rolesville (9-3) at Hoggard (11-0)

CLASS 7A

Friday’s second round

West

Grimsley 42, West Cabarrus 7

Independence 45, Page 6

Jack Britt 22, Davie County 20

Lake Norman 28, East Forsyth 14

Mooresville 38, Butler 14

Richmond Senior 48, Porter Ridge 43

Reagan 42, A.L. Brown 7

Weddington 63, Marvin Ridge 0

East

Cape Fear 47, Sanderson 7

Cardinal Gibbons 52, Fuquay-Varina 8

Clayton 29, New Hanover 0

Cleveland 55, South Garner 3

D.H. Conley 30, Southern Durham 23

Garner 37, Wake Forest 24

Hillside 33, Ashley 0

Southeast Raleigh 62, New Bern 28

Next Friday’s third round

West

Jack Britt (7-4) at Grimsley (11-0)

Lake Norman (8-3) at Weddington (10-1)

Richmond Senior (9-2) at Independence (9-2)

Reagan (9-2) at Mooresville (9-2)

East

Cape Fear (10-1) at Garner (8-3)

D.H. Conley (8-3) at Clayton (9-2)

Hillside (9-2) at Cardinal Gibbons (10-1)

Southeast Raleigh (8-3) at Cleveland (10-1)

CLASS 6A

Friday’s second round

West

Ashbrook 22, Statesville 14

Charlotte Catholic 27, A.C. Reynolds 0

Dudley 21, Asheboro 6

Freedom 40, Central Cabarrus 6

Kings Mountain 21, T.C. Roberson 20

Northern Guilford 46, Asheville 13

Sun Valley 42, Olympic 6

Watauga 47, St. Stephens 6

East

Jacksonville 52, Harnett Central 12

Middle Creek 52, West Brunswick 20

Northern Nash 48, White Oak 18

Scotland County 49, Terry Sanford 40

Seventy-First 20, South Johnston 3

Southern Alamance 55, J.H. Rose 36

Union Pines 35, Lee County 0

Williams 49, Franklinton 12

Next Friday’s third round

West

Charlotte Catholic (7-4) at Watauga (11-0)

Dudley (8-4) at Ashbrook (11-0)

Kings Mountain (8-4) at Northern Guilford (10-1)

Sun Valley (8-3) at Freedom (10-1)

East

Scotland County (8-3) at Jacksonville (10-0)

Seventy-Fierst (9-2) at Northern Nash (10-1)

Southern Alamance (8-3) at Middle Creek (8-2)

Williams (10-1) at Union Pines (10-1)

CLASS 5A

Friday’s second round

West

Crest 69, Concord 6

East Lincoln 56, West Henderson 15

Franklin 14, Forest Hills 13

Hickory 45, Montgomery Central 6

Jay M. Robinson 42, North Davidson 0

Monroe 49, West Rowan 14

Oak Grove 36, Northwest Cabarrus 7

South Point 48, Clyde Erwin 13

East

Croatan 49, Seaforth 13

Havelock 35, Currituck County 14

Hunt 30, Eastern Alamance 28

Jacksonville Northside 41, Person 21

Northeast Guilford 49, Dixon 22

Rocky Mount 28, South Granville 6

St. Pauls 46, West Carteret 32

Southern Nash 58, Southeast Alamance 39

Next Friday’s third round

West

East Lincoln (10-1) at Crest (9-2)

Franklin (9-2) at Hickory (10-1)

Monroe (7-3) at South Point (9-2)

Oak Grove (9-3) at Jay M. Robinson (10-1)

East

Havelock (7-5) at Croatan (10-1)

Rocky Mount (8-3) at Northeast Guilford (9-2)

St. Pauls (10-1) at Jacksonville Northside (9-2)

Southern Nash (7-4) at Hunt (9-2)

CLASS 4A

Friday’s second round

West

Brevard 41, West Stokes 14

Burns 49, West Stanly 7

Hibriten 43, R-S Central 19

Maiden 49, North Surry 21

Mount Pleasant 44, Tuscola 34

Newton-Conover 24, Fred T. Foard 14

Pisgah 41, West Iredell 26

Stuart Cramer 60, Bandys 49

East

Central Davidson 49, Carver 8

East Duplin 48, North Johston 20

Eastern Wayne 49, Southwestern Randolph 0

North Pitt 28, Randleman 23

Reidsville 44, Red Springs 0

SouthWest Edgecombe 29, Bunn 24

T.W. Andrews 36, Clinton 17

West Craven 41, Roanoke Rapids 6

Next week’s third round

West

Burns (7-4) at Brevard (11-0)

Maiden (7-4) at Newton-Conover (9-2)

Mount Pleasant (8-3) at Pisgah (8-3)

Stuart Cramer (9-2) at Hibriten (10-1)

East

Eastern Wayne (8-3) at Reidsville (9-2)

North Pitt (7-5) at Central Davidson (10-1)

SouthWest Edgecombe (7-5) at East Duplin (9-2)

T.W. Andrews (9-2) at West Craven (10-1)

CLASS 3A

Friday’s second round

West

Eastern Randolph 43, Union Academy 7

Lincolnton 28, Hendersonville 27

Mount Airy 52, Thomasville 0

Mountain Heritage 46, West Lincoln 13

North Stanly 49, East Surry 45

Shelby 65, East Rutherford 34

Walkertown 67, Wheatmore 0

West Davidson 31, Providence Grove 21

East

Ayden-Grifton 27, Whiteville 26

Farmville Central 58, Louisburg 27

James Kenan 26, Wallace-Rose Hill 7

Kinston 34, Midway 13

Martin County 28, Wake Prep 20

Northeastern 56, South Columbus 21

Pasquotank County 54, Princeton 41

Pender 60, Hertford County 0

Next Friday’s third round

West

Lincolnton (9-2) at Mountain Heritage (10-1)

Shelby (9-3) at Mount Airy (9-2)

Walkertown (9-1) at Eastern Randolph (9-2)

West Davidson (9-3) at North Stanly (10-1)

East

Ayden-Grifton (8-4) at James Kenan (10-1)

Farmville Central (7-5) at Martin County (8-3)

Kinston (8-4) at Pasquotank County (8-3)

Northeastern (8-3) at Pender County (10-1)

CLASS 2A

Friday’s second round

West

Community School of Davidson 65, Swain County 13

Corvian community 45, North Rowan 7

East Wilkes 44, Hayesville 7

Mitchell 42, Bishop McGuinness 12

Mountain Island Charter 7, Alleghany 6

Murphy 57, Albemarle 14

South Stanly 38, Christ the King 0

Starmount 56, Cherryville 7

East

East Bladen 50, Union 0

East Carteret 61, Gates County 18

Hobbton 20, Lakewood 14

Holmes 55, Perquimans 16

Manteo 36, Northampton County 8

North Duplin 42, Southside 0

Tarboro 52, Camden County 0

Warren County 36, Rosewood 6

Next Friday’s third round

West

Community School of Davidson (7-4) at Murphy (9-2)

Corvian Community (9-1) at East Wilkes (8-3)

Mountain Island Charter (7-5) at Mitchell (8-4)

South Stanly (9-2) at Starmount (9-2)

East

East Carteret (6-5) at Warren County (9-2)

Hobbton (7-4) at Tarboro (11-0)

Holmes (7-4) at North Duplin (10-1)

Manteo (7-3) at East Bladen (8-3)

CLASS 1A

Friday’s second round

West

East Columbus 32, North Stokes 21

Robbinsville 56, Andrews 7

South Davidson 27, Rosman 8

Thomas Jefferson Academy 43, Winston-Salem Prep 0

East

Bear Grass Charter 49, North Edgecombe 14

KIPP Pride 48, Howard 7

Pinetown Northside 48, Hobgood Charter 7

Southeast Collegiate Prep (6-4) at Wilson Prep (5-5)

Next Friday’s quarterfinals

West

East Columbus (3-8) at Robbinsville (8-3)

Thomas Jefferson Academy (5-6) at South Davidson (10-1)

East

Bear Grass Charter (9-0) at Pinetown Northside (11-0)

Southeast Collegiate Prep/Wilson Prep at KIPP Pride (11-0)

NCISAA

DIVISION 1

Friday’s semifinals

Charlotte Christian 55, Rabun Gap School 48

Providence Day 41, Cannon 7

Next Friday’s state championship

Charlotte Christian (7-5) at Providence Day (12-0)

DIVISION 2

Friday’s semifinals

Asheville School 31, Trinity Christian 14

High Point Christian 56, Harrells Christian 0

Next Friday’s state championship

Asheville School (7-2-1) at High Point Christian (11-0)

8-MAN FOOTBALL

Friday’s semifinals

Arendell Parrott Academy 44, Faith Christian 14

Cary Christian 35, John Paul II Catholic 27

Next Friday’s state championship

Cary Christian (11-1) at Arendell Parrott Academy (12-0)

This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM.