Key Mecklenburg and regional high school football matchups

Mecklenburg County contests

No. 6 Mallard Creek (6-2, 2-1 MECKA 4A) at No. 7 Vance (5-2, 1-1), 7: Many fans felt this game might decide a league champion when the season started in August, but now it’s essentially an elimination game. The teams trail Hough and A.L. Brown by a game in the loss column, and the loser is virtually out of the league’s title race.

Providence (4-3, 3-0 SoMeck 8 4A) at Ardrey Kell (4-3, 2-1), 7: These rivals have spent time ranked in the Sweet 16 this season. Providence has won three in a row after losing three to start the season and is tied with Charlotte Catholic for first place in the conference. Ardrey Kell is one game back.

No. 1 Charlotte Catholic (6-0, 3-0 SoMeck 8 4A) at No. 12 South Mecklenburg (6-1, 2-1), 7: Playing without starting quarterback Antonio Wallace, the Sabres were upset by West Meck last week. Wallace won’t play Friday (broken wrist), and without him, the Sabres will try to crack a defense that has allowed the fewest points in North Carolina. Catholic allows 3.33 points per game.

Regional contests

No. 5 Hough (6-1, 2-0 MECKA 4A) at No. 3 A.L. Brown (7-0, 2-0), 7:30: Two surprise teams sit atop the league standings. Hough upset Mallard Creek last week in overtime, ending the Mavericks’ 43-game conference win streak. Friday, the Huskies will try to beat Brown and secure the inside track to the school’s first league title.

No. 16 South Iredell (6-1, 3-0 North Piedmont 3A/4A) at No. 10 Mooresville (5-2, 3-0), 7:30: 3A South Iredell has won six straight and faces its second straight 4A conference rival. South Iredell stopped Lake Norman 40-35 last week. Mooresville has won three straight since losing 23-9 at A.L. Brown last month.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Key Mecklenburg and regional high school football matchups."