Due to delays from Hurricane Helene in late September and early October, the N.C. High School Athletic Association extended the high school football season by an additional week. This “extra week” includes two types of matchups: rescheduled games that were postponed earlier in the season, and additional games that teams were allowed to schedule specifically for this weekend.

The rescheduled games could impact playoff seedings, while the extra games won’t count toward regular-season standings, RPI ratings, or playoff qualifications. Below, we preview the weekend’s games, specifying which category they fall under.

THURSDAY / MECKLENBURG

• Mountain Island Charter (5-5) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-10), 6 p.m. — This extra game allows Ballantyne Ridge’s new program to gain valuable experience for next season. Mecklenburg fans will get a look at Mountain Island Charter’s standout QB, Grayson Harvey, who ranks third in the region with 2,372 passing yards.

FRIDAY / MECKLENBURG

• Bonnie Cone Leadership (1-9) at Bessemer City (6-4), 7:30 p.m. — Another extra game, this one gives Bonnie Cone’s first varsity squad a final matchup. Bessemer City, meanwhile, benefits from a tune-up ahead of the 1A playoffs. Watch for RB Kendrick Williams, who has posted three 100-yard games, and QB Gavin Chastain, who has thrown for 14 touchdowns.
• Charlotte Christian (7-3) at Providence Day (8-2), NCISAA Division 1 Playoff Semifinal, 7 p.m. — In this highly anticipated rematch, Charlotte Christian’s offense gets a boost with the return of RB Jamal Rule, who missed their last encounter with Providence Day. Providence Day, coming off a win where Ian Cline rushed for 275 yards, hopes to avoid turnovers to secure a spot in the state final.
• Hickory Grove Christian (8-3) at Asheville School (5-1), NCISAA Division 2 Playoff Semifinal, 7 p.m. — After advancing past Covenant Day, Hickory Grove aims for a title game berth, though they’ll face a challenge in Asheville School’s QB Ricky Tolbert, who threw four touchdowns in their last meeting.
• Piedmont (2-8) at East Mecklenburg (1-9), 6 p.m. — This extra game offers playing time to two teams outside the playoff hunt. Piedmont’s Nathaniel Gagnon, with six 100-yard games, will face off against East Mecklenburg’s defense, anchored by LB Max Priest.
• Providence (4-5) at South Mecklenburg (3-6), 7 p.m. — A rescheduled regular-season game with playoff implications. A win could push Providence near the 4A playoff threshold, while South Mecklenburg’s recent victory over Myers Park gives them momentum.

FRIDAY / TOP AREA GAME

• Hunter Huss (4-4, 3-3 Big South 3A) at South Point (7-1, 5-1), 7:30 p.m. — A rescheduled game with high stakes: South Point can clinch the No. 1 playoff seed in the Big South with a win, while Hunter Huss, aiming to solidify its playoff spot, will try to disrupt South Point’s 300-yard-per-game rushing attack.

Weekend Schedule (All games at 7 p.m., unless noted otherwise)

THURSDAY

• Big South 3A: Crest (7-2, 4-2) at Stuart Cramer (2-7, 1-5)
• Nonconference: Central Cabarrus (2-8) at Hickory Ridge (0-10)
• Mountain Island Charter (5-5) at Ballantyne Ridge (0-10), 6 p.m.
• Parkwood (3-7) at West Cabarrus (5-5)

FRIDAY

• Big South 3A: Hunter Huss (4-4, 3-3) at South Point (7-1, 5-1), 7:30 p.m.; Kings Mountain (7-2, 5-1) at North Gaston (3-6, 1-5), 7:30 p.m.
• Western Foothills 3A: Fred T. Foard (0-9, 0-6) at West Iredell (2-7, 0-6)
• Catawba Valley 2A: Bunker Hill (7-2, 5-1) at West Caldwell (0-9, 0-6), 7:30 p.m.
• Nonconference: Bonnie Cone Leadership (1-9) at Bessemer City (6-4), 7:30 p.m.; Carolina Bearcats (1-5) at North Wake Saints (4-5), 7:30 p.m.; Cox Mill (1-9) at Concord (4-6); Piedmont (2-8) at East Mecklenburg (1-9), 6 p.m.; Providence (4-5) at South Mecklenburg (3-6)
• NCISAA Division 1 Semifinals: Charlotte Christian (7-3) at Providence Day (8-2); Christ School (3-4) at Rabun Gap School (9-2)
• NCISAA Division 2 Semifinals: Hickory Grove Christian (8-3) at Asheville School (5-1); Trinity Christian (9-1) at High Point Christian (10-0)
• NCISAA 8-Man Semifinals: Cary Christian (7-1) at Wayne Christian (7-2); John Paul II Catholic (7-3) at Arendell Parrott Academy (10-1)
• S.C. Region 2 2A: Fairfield Central (8-1, 3-0) at Mid-Carolina (5-4, 2-1)

SATURDAY

• Catawba Valley 2A: Bandys (6-3, 3-3) at East Burke (2-7, 1-5), 2 p.m.