10. West Mecklenburg at Olympic

9. Weddington at Charlotte Catholic

8. Wakefield at Garner

7. A.L. Brown at Hickory Ridge

6. Hickory at Burns

5. A.C. Reynolds at Porter Ridge

4. Freedom at East Henderson

3. Hunt at Cardinal Gibbons

2. Leesville Road at Middle Creek

1. West Rowan at Concord

10. Independence at Vance

Independence, winners of seven straight state titles a few years back, appears to back to their old ways under coach Bill Geiler.  Vance, two years removed from a state semifinal appearance, is in its first year under coach Keith Wilkes.

9. East Lincoln at Bandys

East Lincoln has scored 35 and 61 points in their first two games of the season, including a win over 4A Hopewell last week.  Bandys has yet to give up any points this season and is looking to ride its defense to another victory.

8. Orange at Carrboro

Carrboro has won each of their first two games by an average of 25 points.  Orange hasn’t given up a point in either of its first two games.

7. Maiden at Hickory

This Catawba County rivalry features two teams who are 1-1, facing tough losses in Week 1, and rebounded with wins last week.  Each team features a new head coach looking for their teams to make a statement in non-conference play. 

6. Pinecrest at Cox Mill

Cox Mill has scored 53 and 35 points in their first two games respectively without giving up a point on defense.  Pinecrest is coming into the game at 1-1, losing only to title contender Jack Britt.  Pinecrest won last year’s matchup 40-8 and the Chargers are looking for revenge.

5. Cummings at Western Alamance

These two Alamance County rivals have split their last two matchups.  Cummings is looking to compete for a conference title and has state title aspirations.  Western Alamance is seeking to return to their success of the last decade, where the Warriors made four straight title game appearances.

4. Burns at Mooresville

Coach Matt Beam’s Burns Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent 3A programs in western North Carolina over the last five years.  Mooresville shook off a loss to West Rowan in Week 1 to beat South Mecklenburg 35-14 last week.  Both teams are looking to build on regional final appearance from last year.

3. Thomasville at Andrews, T.W.

Thomasville has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the state.  While 0-2, the Bulldogs look to rebound against the Red Raiders, who are coming off a win over 4A Ben Smith last Friday night.

2. Southern Nash at Bunn

The Southern Nash schedule did the team no favors by having them open up the 2012 season with three games on the road.  But, the Firebirds won their first two games and are looking to start 3-0 again for the fourth straight year.  But, standing in their way are the Bunn Wildcats, looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week to R.L. Fike.

1. Middle Creek at Fuquay-Varina

These two teams battled last year for the Tri-Nine conference title, each finishing 7-1 in conference play.  The Bengals and the Mustangs faced off against each other twice last year.  Middle Creek got the win in Week 3 last year in a thrilling 48-47 overtime win.  The two teams met again in the second round of the 4AA playoffs, with the Mustangs winning again.  These two teams have fought battles over the last few years and this week should be no different.

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.