HS football update: Charlotte-Mecklenburg to have no athletic events Thursday, Friday
By Steve Lyttle, Langston Wertz Jr.,
24 days ago
Hurricane Helene is headed for landfall on the Florida panhandle and is expected to be strong enough to bring tropical storm conditions to the Charlotte area late Thursday and Friday.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced Thursday morning that no athletic events or practices would be held Thursday or Friday. So all of its football games will be rescheduled.
How bad could the weather be? The National Weather Service has taken the unusual step of issuing a Tropical Storm Warning for Mecklenburg and several nearby counties.
Not surprisingly, the forecast of heavy rain, flooding, and high winds has forced wholesale changes in this weekend’s high school football schedule.
To be accurate, it’s no longer a “weekend” schedule, as games are now set for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and next Monday nights, along with Saturday daytime and evening.
We’ll help you navigate all these changes, with game stories, previews of the top games and the latest schedule:
Charlotte Latin’s Titus Ivory is congratulated after a big play against Covenant Day Wednesday Angel Trimble/Special to The Observer
Charlotte Latin is doing some pretty historic stuff this season under second-year coach Drew Dayton.
After finishing 3-7 last year with a three-game losing streak, the Hawks have started the 2024 season on a roll. Wednesday night, Charlotte Latin ran away from Mecklenburg County rival Covenant Day 45-14 Wednesday night to improve to 7-0 on the season.
The 7-0 start is the best at the school since 2021 and ties for the second-best in school history. In 2007, Charlotte Latin finished 13-0 with its best team in school history and became the first private school to win The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 regional poll championship.
The Covenant Day game was moved up from Friday to avoid possible tropical storm conditions that are expected to arrive in the area later this week, courtesy of Hurricane Helene.
Latin really got going in the second quarter and third quarters, when the Hawks scored 28 straight points to turn a 7-7 game into a blowout.
Up 35-7 though, Covenant Day tried to make a push.
First, it got a 95-yard touchdown pass from QB Logan Misocky, a former Charlotte Latin player, to Chris Rivens. On the ensuing kickoff, Latin fumbled and Covenant Day got the ball,down 35-14, at the Latin 29, but ended up punting.
On Convenant Day’s next possession, Latin’s Burke Denny intercepted Misocky, who threw three interceptions, and returned it 42 yards for another 28-point lead.
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Carson Clutter, Charlotte Latin: Clutter ran 17 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. The Hawks offensive line frequently gave him clean running lanes. Clutter took advantage.
Titus Ivory, Charlotte Latin: Ivory had several nice tackles and an interception from his defense back position. He also had a pretty 57-yard catch and run for a score on offense.
Chris Rivens, Covenant Day: Rivens had a 95-yard reception for a touchdown and finished with six catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
NOTABLE
▪ Latin intercepted Covenant Day three times and had multiple sacks. The defense held Covenant Day’s starting running back to 14 carries for 12 yards
▪ Latin QB Troy Logan was 12 for 22 for 146 yards, but he also made some good decisions when pressured, just throwing the ball out of bounds and giving his team another down, instead of trying to force the ball. On two of those drives, Latin later scored.
▪ The weather did arrive Wednesday, blowing sheets or rain and wind in the first half.
GAME SUMMARY
Covenant Day 7 0 7 0 — 14
Charlotte Latin 7 21 14 3 — 45
First Quarter
CL: Troy Logan 13 run (Holden Freno kick)
CD: Chris Rivens 30 pass from Logan Misocky (Alex Kokoshvili kick)
North Mecklenburg scored on its first play from scrimmage and rolled to a 51-0 Queen City 3A-4A victory Wednesday night over visiting Harding.
The Vikings (2-3, 1-1), who have outscored their opponents 103-0 in their two victories this season, led 29-0 after the first quarter and 44-0 at halftime.
Harding (1-4, 0-2) was playing for the first time under interim head coach Terrance Cunningham, who took over when JT Stone resigned abruptly earlier this week.
The Rams took the opening kickoff but fumbled the ball away on their first play. North Mecklenburg’s Chuck House, a Tennessee commit, recovered at the Harding 12. Three plays later, the Vikings scored on a 5-yard pass catch by Tyler McClain.
After a three-and-out by Harding, North Mecklenburg scored again, this time on a 9-yard run by Justin McBean.
Harding then fumbled the ball away at its 8, and Landon Gilmore ran for North Mecklenburg’s third touchdown. Just 4:15 into the game, the Vikings led 22-0.
A 50-yard touchdown pass reception by Gilmore shortly before halftime gave North Mecklenburg a 44-0 lead and insured that a running clock would be in use for the second half.
Gaston County cancels sports Thursday
Due to the forecast predicting inclement weather Thursday, Gaston County has canceled all afterschool and evening activities Thursday, including some football games that had been moved up to Friday.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Game previews
(Dates, times will be in schedule below and added to previews as we learn them)
SATURDAY’S GAMES
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Ballantyne Ridge (0-4, 0-1 SoMeck 4A) at Ardrey Kell (1-3, 0-0), 6 p.m.: Ardrey Kell QB Gavin Adams and the Knights figure to snap a three-game losing streak (against teams with a combined record of 12-3). Ballantyne Ridge, a first-year program playing mostly with freshmen and sophomores, has scored only three points this season.
No. 14 Charlotte Catholic (2-2, 1-0 Southwestern 4A) at No. 5 Independence (4-0, 0-0), 6 p.m.: This could be the conference championship game. The visiting Cougars have a stout defense and shut down the explosive Providence passing attack last week. In addition, the Cougar ground game enables Charlotte Catholic to keep the ball away from the explosive Independence offense.
QB Justin Little (870 passing yards) and RB Jayden Jones (822 rushing yards) lead the Patriot offense. Jones is the leading ground-gainer in the Charlotte area and ranks fifth in North Carolina.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Butler (1-4, 1-0 Southwestern 4A) at Providence (1-2, 0-1): One possible key in this game: Butler’s defense against the Providence passing game, led by junior QB Jackson Debe. Butler DE Ian Coleman has six sacks this season, and teammate Legend Lockwood has five. Butler can’t afford a loss here, if the Bulldogs expect to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Cabarrus Stallions (1-4) at Bonnie Cone Leadership (0-4): The visiting Stallions happen to have North Carolina’s leader in sacks. Eli Dempsey has recorded 11 sacks, and teammate Hudson Patrick has five.
Community School of Davidson (2-2, 1-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Mountain Island Charter (1-3, 0-1): The visiting Spartans are known for their passing game, but they showed last week that they can run the ball, too, as Brandon Albert carried for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Mountain Island Charter WR Justice Washington (111 receiving yards per game) is among the region’s top pass-catching threats.
Corvian Community (4-0, 1-0 Catawba Shores 1A-2A) at Christ the King (1-3, 0-1): Noah Best (eight touchdowns) leads an explosive Corvian Community attack. He is among three Cardinal backs averaging 50 or more rushing yards a game. After losing several close games, Christ the King trounced Carver last week. Sophomore QB Jamison Ehret had his most efficient game of the year, completing 16-of-23 passes with no turnovers.
Palisades (3-2, 1-0 SoMeck 4A) at Myers Park (2-3, 1-0): The winner of this game takes the early lead in the conference, as Olympic (1-0) is off this week. Addison Rowland threw for three Palisades touchdowns last week. QB Jared Lockhart is a threat to throw or run with the ball.
No. 3 Providence Day (4-1) at North Raleigh Christian (2-3): This has all the makings of a mismatch. Providence Day is loaded with offensive and defensive weapons, led by QB Zaid Lott (1,374 passing yards, 13 touchdowns to just one interception). North Raleigh Christian is averaging 300 yards’ total offense per game, but the Knights also are averaging more than two turnovers per contest.
SouthLake Christian (3-2) at Trinity Christian (4-1): QB Kamm Freeman (862 passing yards) leads a revitalized SouthLake Christian offense. But the host Crusaders are a state title threat in the NCISAA’s Division 2, led by QB Elijah Oehlke (204 passing yards per game) and LB Dontario Austin (12.3 tackles per contest).
East Lincoln (3-1, 0-1 Western Foothills 3A) at Statesville (3-1, 0-1): It’s a meeting of teams that lost to the conference’s two other powers a week ago. East Lincoln, beaten by Hickory, is led by QB Grant Lawless, who is just 38 yards short of 1,000 for the season.. Statesville gave up 331 rushing yards last week to North Lincoln.
Albemarle (2-3) at Lake Norman Charter (3-0): LB Skyler Potts has 49 tackles and leads a solid Albemarle defense. Lake Norman Charter, which was drubbed 34-0 last season by the Bulldogs, is led by QB David Wignot, averaging 161 passing yards a game. The host Knights are much improved over a year ago.
Berry Academy (2-3, 0-1 SoMeck 4A) at South Mecklenburg (0-4, 0-1): South Mecklenburg, which has played solid football much of the time this season but without a victory, faces a Berry team that had problems stopping the pass last week in a 38-0 loss to Palisades.
No. 9 Charlotte Christian (3-1) at Rabun Gap School (3-2): Don’t let Rabun Gap’s record fool you. The Eagles’ losses came to a couple of state powers — Georgia (Baylor) and Hun (New Jersey). QB Gavin Owen has completed 81 of 123 passes for 906 yards this season. The visiting Knights will try to move the ball on the ground, behind Jamal Rule (545 yards). Cam Johnson (nine touchdowns) is tied for fourth in the Charlotte area in that category. The winner of this game likely will be seeded No. 1 or 2 in the state playoffs.
Charlotte Country Day (3-3) at Cannon School (2-3): The visiting Buccaneers are coming off a heartbreaking 22-21 loss last week to unbeaten High Point Christian. Sam Jacobson (142 rushing yards, three touchdowns) leads a punishing Bucs’ ground game. Cannon’s Kenan Dixon ranks fifth in the area in receiving yardage (423).
Garinger (0-5, 0-1 Southwestern 4A) at East Mecklenburg (0-5, 0-1): This is the best chance either team will have at a victory this season. In their meeting last year, East Mecklenburg broke to a big early lead and coasted.
GRACE Christian (2-3) at Hickory Grove Christian (5-1): The host Lions try to recoup after last week’s loss to Covenant Day. The visitors are averaging less than 200 yards total offense a game and have thrown nine interceptions. That’s music to the ears of Hickory Grove DB Kevin Powell, who has four interceptions this season.
Hopewell (3-1, 1-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at No. 4 Mallard Creek (3-1, 1-0): Hopewell aims to be the conference’s surprise story of the season, and the Titans can control the ball with RB Zacchaeus Jones, who rushed for 110 yards last week. Mallard Creek has beaten Ohio power Cincinnati Moeller and area power West Charlotte in back-to-back weeks. The Mavericks can change pace, using either of three quarterbacks to switch from a ground to a passing attack.
No. 6 Hough (3-1, 1-0 Queen City 3A-4A) at Chambers (2-2, 1-0): Can Chambers’ rugged defense, which held West Mecklenburg to six points last week, succeed in slowing down the Hough air game. Huskies’ QB Trey Blakeney (959 passing yards, 13 touchdowns) has several outstanding targets, led by Sean Brady (404 receiving yards).
No. 7 West Charlotte (2-1, 0-1 Queen City 3A-4A) at West Mecklenburg (1-3, 0-1): It’s a battle for West Side Pride, and each team is coming off a narrow loss last week. West Charlotte, with its strong offense, fell 13-12 to Mallard Creek. This is an interesting game for West Mecklenburg defensive standout Elijah Littlejohn. He played for West Charlotte last season.
A.L. Brown (3-1, 1-0 Greater Metro 4 4A) at No. 15 Lake Norman (3-1, 0-0): The visiting Wonders hope their ground game, led by Mekhi Herron (88 rushing yards a game), can help keep the ball away from the Wildcat offense. Freshman QB Kaden Craft has stepped in recently for Lake Norman and completed 75 percent of his passes.
Marvin Ridge (3-2, 0-0 Southern Carolina 4A) at Sun Valley (4-1, 0-0): The Southern Carolina 4A has only five teams but is among the state’s toughest conferences. This is the opening conference game of the season. Marvin Ridge QB Brayden Rediger has thrown for 928 yards, and Alex Voss has caught 496 yards’ of those passes. Sun Valley QB Noah Lineberry completed 17-of-25 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns last week in the Spartans’ rout of Alexander Central.
No. 2 Northwestern (5-0, 1-0 Region 3 5A) at Catawba Ridge (4-1, 1-0): Two of the Carolinas’ top quarterbacks will be on display in Fort Mill. Northwestern’s Finley Polk has thrown for 1,040 yards, with 17 touchdowns and no interceptions. Catawba Ridge’s C.J. Couch has 1,080 passing yards. If the host Copperheads can avoid mistakes, they have a chance of playing with the powerhouse Trojans.
West Lincoln (2-2, 0-1 Catawba Valley 2A) at Maiden (3-1, 1-0), 7:30: With a loss last week, West Lincoln needs a victory here to stay in the conference championship race. RB Grae Ponder is averaging 115 rushing yards a game. Maiden counters with QB Grant Lawing, who is completing 66 percent of his passes for 184.8 yards a game. The Blue Devils also have two outstanding running backs and are averaging 150 rushing yards a contest.
MONDAY / TOP AREA GAMES
No. 16 North Lincoln (4-0, 1-0 Western Foothills 3A) at Hickory (4-0, 1-0), 7:30 p.m. — It’s the North Lincoln ground game against the well-rounded Hickory attack. North Lincoln RB Shannon Wingate is tied for second in rushing yardage in the area (772) and leads in scoring (16 touchdowns for 84 points). Hickory QB Brady Stober was 14-of-16 for 230 yards, and Isaiah Lackey ran for 164 yards and four touchdowns last week against East Lincoln.
Westside (4-0) at No. 1 Weddington (5-0), 7 p.m. — With apologies to Providence Day, this might be the toughest team that Weddington will face in the regular season. Westside has gotten through a rough schedule unbeaten, and the Rams have a well-balanced attack led by QB Cutter Woods. He has thrown for 701 yards against a schedule that includes two Georgia powerhouses, Creekside and Prince Avenue Christian.
This week’s schedule
(all kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
WEDNESDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
North Mecklenburg 51, Harding 0
Nonconference
Charlotte Latin 45, Covenant Day 14
THURSDAY
SoMeck 4A
Palisades (3-2, 1-0) at Myers Park (2-3, 1-0), ppd, date TBD
Southwestern 4A
Butler (1-4, 1-0) at Providence (1-2, 0-1), ppd, date TBD
South Piedmont 3A
Jay M. Robinson (4-0, 2-0) at Jesse Carson (2-2, 0-1)
West Rowan (2-2, 1-0) at South Rowan (1-3, 0-1)
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Community School of Davidson (2-2, 1-0) at Mountain Island Charter (1-3, 0-1)
Corvian Community (4-0, 1-0) at Christ the King (1-3, 1-0)
Nonconference
Cabarrus Stallions (1-4) at Bonnie Cone Leadership (0-4)
Metrolina Christian (2-3) at Ravenscroft School (2-4), 6
Pageland Central (3-1) at Anson County (2-2), 7:30
Providence Day (4-1) at North Raleigh Christian (2-3)
SouthLake Christian (3-2) at Trinity Christian
FRIDAY
Queen City 3A-4A
Hopewell (3-1, 1-0) at Mallard Creek (3-1, 1-0), ppd, date TBD
Hough (3-1, 1-0) at Mallard Creek (3-1, 1-0), ppd, date TBD
West Charlotte (2-1, 0-1) at West Mecklenburg (1-3, 0-1), ppd, date TBD
SoMeck 4A
Berry Academy (2-3, 0-1) at South Mecklenburg (0-4, 0-1), ppd, date TBD
Greater Metro 4 4A
Hickory Ridge (0-5, 0-1) at Mooresville (3-1, 1-0)
West Cabarrus (1-4, 0-1) at Cox Mill (0-5, 0-1)
Southern Carolina 4A
Marvin Ridge (3-2, 0-0) at Sun Valley (4-1, 0-0)
Big South 3A
Crest (4-0, 1-0) at Stuart Cramer (1-3, 0-1), 7:30
Forestview (1-3, 1-0) at Ashbrook (3-1, 0-1), 7:30
Hunter Huss (1-2, 0-1) at South Point (3-0, 1-0), 7:30
Kings Mountain (3-1, 1-0) at North Gaston (2-2, 0-1), 6
South Piedmont 3A
Concord (2-2, 1-1) at Central Cabarrus (0-4, 0-1)
Western Foothills 3A
Fred T. Foard (0-4, 0-1) at West Iredell (2-2, 0-1)
Catawba Valley 2A
Newton-Conover (1-3, 1-0) at Lincolnton (0-4, 0-1), 7:30
West Lincoln (2-2, 0-1) at Maiden (3-1, 1-0), 7:30
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Carver (1-3, 0-1) at Bishop McGuinness (3-1, 0-1)
Southern Piedmont 1A-2A
Bessemer City (3-2, 1-0) at Highland Tech (3-1, 0-1), 7:30
Cherryville (1-4, 0-1) at East Gaston (1-3, 0-0), 7:30
Nonconference
Albemarle (2-3) at Lake Norman Charter (3-0)
Carolina Bearcats (1-3) at North Wake Saints (2-2)
Charlotte Christian (3-1) at Rabun Gap School (3-2)
Charlotte Country Day (3-3) at Cannon School (2-3)
GRACE Christian (2-3) at Hickory Grove Christian (5-1)
North Stanly (3-1) at Forest Hills (2-2)
SATURDAY
SoMeck 4A
Ballantyne Ridge (0-4, 0-1) at Ardrey Kell (1-3, 0-0), 6 p.m.
Southwestern 4A
Charlotte Catholic (2-2, 1-0) at Independence (4-0, 0-0), 6 p.m.
Western Foothills 3A
East Lincoln (3-1, 0-1) at Statesville (3-1, 0-1), time TBD
St. Stephens (1-3, 0-1) at North Iredell (2-2, 1-0), 2
Catawba Valley 2A
Bandys (4-0, 1-0) at East Lincoln (1-3, 0-0), 2
Bunker Hill (3-1, 1-0) at West Caldwell (0-4, 0-1), 2
Nonconference
Parkwood (1-3) at Eastern Randolph (4-0), 6
MONDAY
Greater Metro 4 4A
A.L. Brown (3-1, 1-0) at Lake Norman (3-1, 0-0), time TBD
South Piedmont 3A
Northwest Cabarrus (3-1, 1-0) at East Rowan (0-4, 0-1)
Western Foothills 3A
North Lincoln (4-0, 1-0) at Hickory (4-0, 1-0)
Catawba Shores 1A-2A
Winston-Salem Prep (1-2, 0-1) vs. Pine Lake Prep (1-3, 1-0) at Winston-Salem Atkins, 6 p.m.
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