West Stanly (0-0) at Albemarle (0-1)
When: Friday, August 30, 7:30 PM
Series Record: 23-18-1 Albemarle
Last Meeting: 2018 (West 29-28 OT)

Notes: West has won the previous four match-ups with Albemarle to narrow the all-time series gap between the two schools to five games. Friday’s matchup will be the 43rd meeting between the Colts and Bulldogs.

The closest non-forfeit result in the series since 2007 came last season when the Colts rallied from 16 down in the second half and won in overtime by stopping the Bulldogs on a two-point conversion then scoring and kicking the extra point.

Albemarle head coach Richard Davis said the Bulldogs have been working on better offensive execution in practice this week while defensively working on doing a more effective job of open-field tackling.

Davis added the Bulldogs have to win first and second down to “force them into third and long situations. Playing well in the trenches will be huge in this game as well.”

West’s practice this week has been decent, according to head coach Brett Morton, who when asked about opening the season with a county rival said “it’s always tough in rivalry games.”

The reason West is opening with Albemarle was because of Friday’s cancellation due to field conditions at Larry Wagner Field from heavy thunderstorms.

Morton also said what he is most concerned about heading into the game are the “mistakes that the first game usually brings.”

Piedmont (0-0) at North Stanly (0-1)
When: Friday, August 30, 7:30 PM
Series Record: 16-8 Piedmont
Last Meeting: 2012 (Piedmont 40-3)

Notes: The two former conference opponents face off Friday in New London with the Panthers having won eight in a row over the Comets. North’s last win over Piedmont was in 1992, 27-14.

North head coach Scott Crisco said the Panthers are big and strong on offense and run with power.

Piedmont senior running back Cody Purser rushed for 1,228 yards and scored 13 TDs in his junior campaign with the Panthers.

South Stanly (0-1) at Union Academy (0-0)
When: Friday, August 30, 7:30 PM
Series Record: 3-2 South Stanly
Last Meeting: 2016 (SS 26-20)

Notes: The Cardinals have a strong front five including Illinois commit Phifer Griffin (6’7”, 295 lbs.) and a 6’4” wide receiver in Derek Young.

The Cardinals graduated the team’s starting quarterback who threw for nearly 2,000 yards in 2018.

South head coach Ryan Ochier said the Cardinals’ wideout “is very good at catching the ball” but said one problem the team has is getting him the ball.