Friday matchups

No. 2 Wakefield (2-0)

at No. 13 Knightdale (1-0)

Knightdale looked outstanding in its opening 35-16 win over Millbrook last week. Wakefield, with quarterback Connor Mitch, has been overwhelming. Mitch has passed for 712 yards and eight touchdowns in two games. Knightdale’s Nathaniel Harvey rushed for 187 yards against Millbrook.

No. 18 West Johnston (1-1)

at No. 7 Cleveland (2-0)

Cleveland has been dominating in two opening victories, but West Johnston should be a stronger test. Cleveland’s Tre Joyner (leading the area in passing efficiency) and West’s Justin Carroll (558 yards passing) are outstanding quarterbacks

No. 5 Middle Creek (2-0)

at No. 14 Fuquay-Varina (1-1)

Middle Creek and Fuquay highlight the first night of Tri-Nine 4A conference games. Middle Creek handled Southern Durham with surprising ease last week in a 41-26 victory. Fuquay rallied late for a 14-13 win over Clayton. Fuquay and Middle Creek are expected to contend for the league title. The Mustangs’ David Salmon has passed for 314 yards while Fuquay averages 263.5 rushing yards.

Jordan (1-1)

at No. 3 Leesville Road (2-0)

Look for The Pride to come out smoking. Leesville Road scored on four of first eight possessions to lead 28-6 before halftime Friday in a 36-19 win over Green Hope last week.. Leesville’s Evan Parker produced 239 yards total offense, 114 rushing.

DeMatha (Md.) (0-0)

at No. 4 Hillside (1-1)

DeMatha (Md.) had been a national powerhouse for decades before it went 6-4 in 2011. That marked the first year since 1996 that the Stags failed to play in their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game. Hillside rebounded from an opening loss to New Bern to beat Fayetteville Smith last week. UNC running back recruit Khris Francis has run for 182 yards.

No. 6 WF-Rolesville (2-0)

at Northern Durham (0-1)

Wake Forest can score as quickly as anyone. In a 77-19 win last week over East Wake, Wake Forest-Rolesville led 42-6 just three minutes into the second quarter and 56-6 at the half. Senior running back Chris Love rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown, and added an 81 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the fourth quarter.

Durham Riverside (0-2)

at Chapel Hill (2-0)

Riverside found some offense last Friday, coming up with 272 total yards. Of that, 225 of came from Darius Smiley. Expect him to draw lots of attention from Chapel Hill’s front seven, who’ve been exceptionally effective in both of the Tigers’ wins. Twice they’ve come up with goal-line stands in late-game situations.

Orange (2-0)

at Carrboro (2-0)

Orange may be the most improved team in the Triangle. The Panthers were 6-6 last year, but now seem to be reaping the benefits of returning a flock of all-conference lettermen. But the same is true for Carrboro, which likewise is deep in experienced players. This one may come down to which team commits the fewest errors.

Cedar Ridge (0-2)

at East Chapel Hill (1-1)

In the preseason, East Chapel Hill coach Bill Renner said that to have a good year his team had to do better against the “3 Cs” – Chapel Hill, Cedar Ridge and Carrboro. East played its closest game in years at Chapel Hill last week before losing 19-6.

Jordan-Matthews (1-0)

at Northwood (1-1)

The Jets have been Northwood’s bête noire for years, using their speed to bedevil the Chargers’ secondary. Now it may be Northwood’s turn. The Chargers converted to a Flexbone option offense, like Georgia Tech’s double wing – full of feints and fakes and misdirection. After a poor start against East Duplin, Northwood got the new offense into gear last week in a decisive win at Southern Lee.

Fayetteville Britt (2-0)

at Southern Durham (0-2)

Brit coach Brian Rimpf, a Leesville graduate, is off to a great start in his first year as a head coach. Britt held Lumberton to less that 100 yards of total offense in a 27-0 shutout last week. Southern has lost to Greensboro Dudley and Middle Creek.

– Tim Stevens, Elliott Warnock