Carrboro was ranked No. 7 in the state by the Associated Press heading into this week. Granville Central has never won a conference game ... and that’s highly unlikely to change on Friday night. Even in the bad old days when Carrboro was just getting started as a varsity program, the Jaguars got their first win ever against a NCHSAA school with a 56-13 win against Granville Central.

Records: Carrboro 9-0 (3-0 Carolina 2A); Granville Central 1-8, (0-2 Carolina 2A).

Series: Carrboro leads 4-0..

Orange at Cardinal Gibbons

This is the most anticipated matchup of the week. Cardinal Gibbons has never lost a Carolina 3A Conference game, with its win streak at 18 and counting. But this is the most talented Orange team in years, with the ability to score in a number of ways. The Panthers must adjust to the speed of Gibbons’ talented defense on the Crusaders’ artificial turf, and must handle quarterback Shawn Stankavage to stay in this fight.

Records: Orange 7-1 overall (3-0 Carolina 3A); Cardinal Gibbons 8-0 (3-0 Carolina 3A).

Series: Cardinal Gibbons has won the last four meetings, including 30-20 last year. Orange last won at Gibbons in 2006, a 13-6 decision in OT.

Chapel Hill at Southern Vance

The Tigers need to be careful in Henderson. They’ve struggled in all three road games so far. And the home tam has won each time since the two old rivals resumed their series in 2009.

Records: Chapel Hill 7-2 overall (2-1 Carolina 3A); Southern Vance 4-4 (0-3 Carolina 3A).

Series: Chapel Hill leads 2-1 and won last year 17-12 last year.

East Chapel Hill

at Durham Hillside

Hillside has won seven straight against the Wildcats, piling up as many points as possible each time. They gave East its most lopsided defeat ever, a 70-0 game in 2006 in Durham, calling a timeout in the last seconds to set up a special play for a final TD and then scored a two-point conversion. This year’s Hornets include the Triangle’s only players selected for the Shrine Bowl: UNC recruits Khris Francis and Korrin Wiggins. They've won five straight overall this season and share the lead of the PAC-6 with Northern Durham.

Records: East Chapel Hill 4-4 overall (2-2 PAC-6); Hillside 6-2 (4-0 PAC-6).

Series: Hillside leads 8-3, including last year’s 45-7 victory at East.

South Granville at Cedar Ridge

The Vikings are big and physical. they’ve won two straight since losing in OT at Carrboro. Cedar Ridge’s only win was against hapless Granville Central

Records: South Granville 6-3 overall (1-1 Carolina 2A); Cedar Ridge 1-8, (1-1 Carolina 2A).

Series: The Vikings have won two of the last three, including 49-28 last year, but has never won at Cedar Ridge i three tries.

Player of the week

Jalen Pittman

Orange, Sr., Wingback

Pittman rushed 14 times for a game-high 118 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-14 win over Southern Vance. He also caught three passes for a team-high 43 yards.