All games in the area kick off at 7:30 p.m.
New Hanover (1-1, 3-4) at Laney (3-0, 4-3)
The marquee matchup on Friday night is in Buctown as Laney takes a three-game winning streak into a key conference game against New Hanover.
Led by quarterback Tariq Lane, the Bucs have moved over the .500 mark with big play ability from the senior and the emergence of sophomore running back Imeek Watkins.
A key matchup to look for will be at the line of scrimmage as Laney looks to run the ball early and often, averaging 250 rushing yards per game this season.
Watkins had four rushing touchdowns in last week’s 41-21 win over Topsail, while Lane accounted for three scores and 121 yards on the ground. UNC-Charlotte commit Jonathan Hardy will need to play a big role at defensive end in stopping the Bucs’ running attack.
Despite several injuries in the New Hanover backfield and on the offensive line, the Wildcats continue to battle and the Laney defense will face one of its biggest tests of the season with Ward Coleman under center.
The senior connected with Garrett Walston on three touchdowns in the first half against Ashley and brings plenty of big game experience to the table as the starting quarterback for the last three seasons.
Walston, who was offered a scholarship this week to play at UNC-Charlotte next year, provides a huge target at the tight end position and will create matchup problems for the Laney secondary.
Sophomore Keegan Santos got a brunt of the workload last week after getting the start at running back because of injuries in the New Hanover backfield, but if the Wildcats can get some of their skill players healthy enough to suit up on Friday, it should be a competitive contest as New Hanover looks to move up in the conference standings.
Hoggard (2-0, 6-0) at Ashley (0-3, 0-7)
Fresh off the bye week Hoggard is geared up and focused heading into the final four weeks of the regular season as the Vikings look to defend their Mideastern Conference championship.
With an unbeaten 6-0 mark, Julius Reynolds continues to run the defense at middle linebacker with a strong defensive front and secondary. Hashim Michel and Antonio Moore set the defensive tone up front, which allows Reynolds to roam the line of scrimmage and cause havoc on opposing team’s offense.
Qadhafi Turner, Gene Beckwith and Tre Williams have been ball hawks all season in the defensive backfield.
Hoggard is a well-rounded bunch with a stout defense, an efficient offense and strong kicking game behind junior Caleb Kuhne.
Keevin Thompson will look to add to his touchdown total for the Vikings as the senior remains healthy and ready for the stretch run. Austin Shoenleber has done a good job controlling the line of scrimmage at quarterback and Harrison Smith continues to show his ability at the wide out position.
Ashley enters Friday’s game still in search of its first win under first-year coach Mike Propst, but the Screaming Eagles continue to put in the effort each week.
Damien Batts had a big game against New Hanover with more than 100 yards receiving and a big touchdown reception as the track star looks to stay involved in the air attack.
Topsail (1-2, 3-5) at West Brunswick (1-1, 3-4)
West Brunswick evened up its conference record with a three-point win over South Brunswick on Oct. 10 and the Topsail defense understands the importance of stopping Trojans’ running back Bubba McCray.
The sophomore accounted for all the West Brunswick scoring against the Cougars with four trips to the end zone and has quickly become the focal point of the Trojans’ offense.
After a season ending injury to quarterback Nick Atilio, Topsail will look to find its identity on offense, while Josh Jessup should provide a little relief as the Pirates leading rusher over the last few games.
West Brunswick averaged just over 30 points against Laney and South Brunswick in consecutive weeks in a pair of games decided by just four points.
Croatan (1-0, 5-2) at North Brunswick (0-1, 3-4)
North Brunswick has had a grueling stretch over the last month having played a 4A opponent, West Brunswick and the East Central Conference opener against the top 2A team in the state (Southwest Onslow).
The Scorpions were unable to find the endzone in last week’s 20-0 setback, but DeShawn Montgomery and Tiger Bryant look to change that as North Brunswick’s leading rushers heading into Friday’s game in Leland.
Croatan enters the conference matchup with an offense averaging 32 points in seven games, while the defense comes off a shutout against Dixon, allowing just 20 points over the last three weeks.
South Brunswick (1-2, 3-5) OPEN
