Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 1

It’s week 1 of the 2012 high school football season and fans are ready to tailgate and cheer on their favorite teams this fall.  We’re changing things up this year and highlighting the top ten games to see each week.  If you can’t make it to one of these games this Friday, be sure to go out and support your local team.

Carolina Gridiron Top Ten Games of the Week

10. Freedom at South Caldwell

Old conference foes look to battle in 2012 opener.  Freedom seeks redemption after missing 2011 playoffs while South Caldwell looks to build on 11-win season a year ago.

9. Nash Central at Tarboro

Preseason All-Gridiron DE Tyquan Lewis looks to lead the three-time defending 2A champs against visiting Bulldogs.

8. Southern Durham at Dudley

After a 6-6 year in 2011, coach Steven Davis is hoping his Dudley Panthers can rebound in 2012, and Southern Durham is the first of a difficult group of non-conference games.

7. Leesville Road at Panther Creek

This matchup of western Wake County teams should be a battle of two teams who plan to compete for their respective conference championships.

6. A.L. Brown at Shelby

With the American Legion tournament in Shelby starting on Friday, the Golden Lions will be hosting the A.L. Brown Wonders on Thursday night in a battle of two historically successful teams.

Follow the game here.

5. Mooresville at West Rowan

West Rowan looks for revenge after Mooresville ended Falcons’ 46-game winning streak in 2011 opener.

4. Burns at Crest

Battle of Cleveland County rivals is always a show to see.  Expect plenty of fireworks in this rivalry matchup.

3. Hillside at New Bern

This is the game to see in eastern North Carolina.  Hornets’ swarming defense will look to slow down Bears’ spread offense in this battle of 4A title contenders.

2. Davie County at Page

Page begins its 4AA title defense against Davie team full of experience on both sides of the ball. Pirates will rely on veteran offensive linemen to move the ball against the War Eagles.

1. Mallard Creek at Butler

The big game this week will be taking place in downtown Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium featuring 4A preseason #1 Mallard Creek taking on #2 Butler.  The Mavericks, led by preseason All-Gridiron WR Marquez North on offense, can score in bunches.  Defensively, Mallard Creek and All-Gridiron DB Brian Walker only gave up 11.92 points a game last year and look to improve on that stat this year.  The Bulldogs, 2009 and 2010 4AA champions, will be very balanced on both sides of the ball this year.  Led by All-Gridiron LB Peter Kalambayi and DB Channing Stribling, throwing on the Bulldogs will be tough on 2012.  On offense, Butler QB Riley Ferguson and WR Uriah Lemay will anchor an offense that looks to build on their 2011 average of 46.23 points a game.