Key matchups: A look at Friday’s Observer-area football playoff games

Mallard Creek (11-2) at Hough (12-1), Friday, 7:30

Last month, Hough upset Mallard Creek 31-28 and ended the Mavericks’ 36-game home win streak and their 43-game conference win streak. Hough eventually won the MECKA conference title and has home field for this rematch, which sends the winner to the N.C. 4AA Western Regional championship game.

North Davidson (12-1) at Charlotte Catholic (12-0), Friday, 7:30

Charlotte Catholic has won 22 straight home games, and a win Friday will send the Cougars to their sixth straight N.C. Western Regional championship game. North Davidson has won six in a row since losing 40-6 to Pfafftown Reagan. A.L. Brown beat Reagan 35-32 on the road in the playoffs.

Mooresboro Thomas Jefferson (10-2) vs. Community School of Davidson (11-2) at North Meck, Friday, 7:30

This is a rematch of CSD’s 26-14 win in October. CSD has won eight straight games and can reach its first regional championship game with a win. Thomas Jefferson has allowed seven points in its past three games.

Regional contests

South Iredell (11-2) at Concord (12-1), Friday, 7:30

Concord has shut out three of it past four opponents and won 12 straight. South Iredell will test the Spiders’ defense. South Iredell has topped 50 points four times this season. South Iredell is trying to get into position to qualify for its second state final in four seasons.

Weddington (11-2) at Crest (13-0), Friday, 7:30

In 2014, Weddington reached the N.C. 3AA championship game and Crest won the 3A title. Crest is now in the 3AA bracket and Friday’s winner will advance to the state semifinals.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Key matchups: A look at Friday’s Observer-area football playoff games."