Chapel Hill (5-0)

at Carrboro (5-0)

The biggest local game in years. Maybe ever.

Whether it’s missing players, like last Friday at Cedar Ridge, or changing strategies to meet the situation, Chapel Hill simply finds ways to win. The physical Tigers can run with power (Alex Colson, Sakori Moore) or with speed (Darius Allen) or can hurt you with the pass (T.J. Johnson, Grant Deselm). Defensively, gang-tackling CHHS has been solid, yielding opponents 10.2 points a game -- and not all of those were given up by the defense.

Carrboro is the little 2A engine that could. The Jaguars have beaten 4A, 3A and 2A opponents, and they’ve done it with a multi-pronged attack.Quarterback Alex McVeigh is as good a runner as he is a passer, much the same as Trai Sharp, Doug Parrish and Marlin Johnson are all effective runners and receivers.

And did we mention that Carrboro is quick? At just about every position. The Jaguars come off the ball as fast as any high school team we’ve seen.

Series: Chapel Hill leads 2-1, including last year’s 22-9 win at Culton-Peerman Stadium.

Riverside (0-4) at

at East Chapel Hill (3-2)

East Chapel Hill continues on the path charted by coach Bill Renner: the Wildcats haven’t jumped to the top of the charts all at once, but they’re clearly better than they’ve been in years, and they’re getting better month to month. With last week’s win, East has a share of the lead in the PAC-6 Conference.

Series: Riverside leads 3-2 over the past 5 years, although East Chapel Hill won last year, 35-28, at Linny Wrenn Stadium.

Cardinal Gibbons (5-0)

at Cedar Ridge (0-5)

This looks like a real mismatch, but many observers think Cedar Ridge is way better than its record. To have a chance, the Red Wolves have to stop beating themselves with turnovers and untimely penalties. Cardinal Gibbons, a powerhouse Carolina 3A team, will bring a complete game to Hillsborough. Leading rusher Ben Grazen is one of the fastest players in the area (4.4 time in the 40), and quarterback Shawn Stankavage, from Chapel Hill, has the DNA of a champion; he’s he son of former Carolina and NFL quarterback Scott Stankavage and NCAA champion swimmer Sue Walsh.

Series: Cardinal Gibbons leads 3-2 over the previous five years, including a 40-7 win last year in Raleigh.

Northern Vance (1-4)

Orange (4-1)

The first conference game for both. The 3A Vikings are reeling after last week’s 42-7 loss to Carrboro, while Orange, after spanking previously undefeated Southern Guilford 33-19 last Friday, looks exactly like the contender for the Carolina 3A Conference crown that everyone thought the Panthers should be. Orange is talented and deep. Worst fot the Vikings, Orange runs with abandon.

Lee County (3-2)

at Northwood (3-2)

Northwood’s flexbone continues to pick up speed and the 2A Chargers have won three of their last four, including last week’s convincing 27-7 romp over 4A Riverside. But 4A Lee Senior may be the Chagers’ toughest challenge yet. The Yellow Jackets two losses have been to Richmond and Middle Creek, two of the top programs in the state.

Player of the week

Darius Allen

Chapel Hill, Sr., RB

Making the most of Chapel Hill’s good blocking all night, Allen ran 25 times for 183 yards and all three of the Tigers’ touchdowns in an 18-6 victory at Cedar Ridge.

Coach speak

Chris Casey

Cedar Ridge

“Crucial mistakes and the wrong time are hurting us. We haven’t found a way to overcome adversity and turn it into an advantage. ... We play well, but then we shoot ourselves in the foot.”