Mecklenburg County lacks dominant football team this postseason

Since 2000, Mecklenburg County has almost always had one dominant football team that either won a class 4A state championship or was very close. This season feels a little different heading into Friday’s second round of the playoffs.

Starting in 2000, Independence has won seven state championships in the state’s largest classification. Butler has three and Mallard Creek two. Popular high school blogger Chris Hughes of Carolina Preps told me earlier this season that there is definitely some fatigue among statewide high school football fans with Charlotte’s domination.

“You always hear people say, ‘CMS has an open enrollment policy,’ which, of course, they don’t,” Hughes said in August. “There’s a level of resentment from coaches in the Raleigh area who say, ‘We’re playing for second place.’ … But in terms of fans out there, I do think certain fans see it as, ‘Oh well, why even bother going to the state title game because Charlotte is going to win it.’ I certainly sense some fatigue.”

This year is different. Mallard Creek was supposed to be the team that would compare favorably to arguably the county’s greatest team, 2001 Independence, led by All-America quarterback Chris Leak. It would certainly be the best team since the 2004 team from Independence, led by All-America quarterback Joe Cox. That Patriots team is the second-best team the county has produced.

Instead, Mallard Creek has provided great theater. It scored in the final minute to lead Byrnes, then gave up a field goal to trail the Rebels in the final seconds. Ultimately, the Mavericks had a potential game-winning field goal blocked as time expired.

Later in the season, a potential game-winning pass against Hough was intercepted in the end zone. The Mavericks also have a one-point win against Vance, thanks to a two-point conversion.

So for the first time, really, since 2008, Mecklenburg County doesn’t appear to have an overwhelming heavyweight favorite in the state title race. But there are contenders.

▪ Hough (11-1) beat Mallard Creek to win its first outright conference championship. Like the Mavericks, the Huskies have been challenged all season and won close games against good teams.

▪ Independence (8-4), Ardrey Kell (7-5) and Myers Park (7-5) are all underdogs heading into playoff games Friday, but each has proven capable of playing with the area’s best, which means they can play with anyone. It wouldn’t be a shock to see at least two of them win Friday.

▪ Butler is Butler. And rather quietly, the Bulldogs have rounded into form. They resemble many of their title teams this point in past seasons.

▪ Finally, Mallard Creek (10-2) has a will to win that champions have. Even through a trying season, they’ve shown that. Coach Mike Palmieri says the playoffs have brought the type of focus from his team that he’s sought all season.

▪ In 4A, Charlotte Catholic got a big test last week before beating Vance 26-20 in double overtime. The Cougars will be favored to win at home Friday against Fayetteville 71st. A win would likely mean a trip to Laurinburg next week to play Scotland County, ranked No. 1 in the Carolina Preps 4A state power poll. Catholic is No. 3.

▪ Sun Valley receiver Jeremiah Miller finished the season with 2,230 career receiving yards, breaking the school record of 2,224 set by Ray Ray Davis in 2008. Miller’s 21 career receiving touchdowns snap Jody Miller’s record of 16 in 2010. Miller, a junior, has one season left.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Mecklenburg County lacks dominant football team this postseason."