Key Charlotte-Area High School Football Matchups 11.19.15

Mallard Creek (10-2) vs. Butler (10-2) at Providence, 7:30

Mallard Creek won state titles in 2014 and 2013. Butler won in 2009, 2010 and 2012. They meet in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, with Mallard Creek having won two of the past three games. Each time they’ve met in the playoffs, the winner advanced and won the state championship.

Ardrey Kell (7-5) at Hough (11-1), 7:30

Hough beat Ardrey Kell 41-37 on a score in the final seconds Sept. 11. Hough enters the rematch on a 7-game win streak. Ardrey Kell has battled through injuries lately, but rebounded last week to upset South Meck 16-9, just seven days after losing to the Sabres 51-24.

Fayetteville 71st (10-2) at Charlotte Catholic (12-0), 7:30

Until last week’s 26-20 double-overtime win against Vance, no team had scored more than 14 points this season against Catholic’s top-ranked defense. 71st, which has won four straight, is explosive offensively. In September, the Falcons scored 71 points in a win against Lumberton.

Independence (8-4) at East Forsyth (12-0), 7:30

Its defense makes Independence dangerous. The Patriots face an East Forsyth team ranked No. 4 in CarolinasPreps’ N.C. 4A statewide power rankings (Independence is 18th). Independence has won six of its past seven games and allowed just 41 points in the wins. East Forsyth averages 42 points per game.

Myers Park (7-5) at West Forsth (9-3), 7:30

West Forsyth rallied to beat North Meck 14-13 by getting a turnover in the final seconds and kicking a field goal to avoid the upset. Myers Park will try for its fourth consecutive road win. The Mustangs are in the playoffs’ second round for the first time since 2011.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Key Charlotte-Area High School Football Matchups 11.19.15."