These two teams are each ranked in the top 10 of the News & Observer rankings and the result is likely to go a long ways as to who will win the Tri-Nine Conference. Both offenses include a heavy dose of running plays, but each side has had steady play from their senior quarterbacks as well. Fuquay's defense has only been exploited once - in a 48-47 double overtime game against Middle Creek, while Cary's has yet to give up more than one score in any game.

Last 10 meetings: Fuquay leads 9-1

Apex (0-2) at Panther Creek (3-1)

Can Jordan Jensen do better than last week's 13-of-13 passing for four touchdowns? It would be hard to in terms of efficiency. The Catamounts have seemingly put it together since an opening loss to Leesville Road.

All-time series: Tied at 2-2

Holly Springs (0-4) at Green Hope (2-2)

Things aren't looking so great for the two teams who finished eighth and ninth in last year's standings. Last week, the Golden Hawks couldn't stop Panther Creek's methodical offensive attack. Green Hope found itself down to its third quarterback by halftime in a loss to Athens Drive.

All-time series: Holly Springs leads 2-0

Middle Creek (2-2) at Lee County (2-2)

This may be the best game of the night - based on recent history alone. The Mustangs have beaten the Yellow Jackets by three or fewer points in each of the last three seasons.

All-time series: Tied at 4-4

Lumberton (4-0) at Athens Drive (2-2)

Lumberton is a very good football team from arguably the state's toughest conference, the Southeastern 4A. This is the last non-conference test for the Jaguars.

Player of the Week

Caleb Glass

Cary CB, Junior

It's rare for one defender to have three individual takeaways in one game, but that was the night Cary defensive back Caleb Glass had. The corner picked off two Apex passes - returning one five yards for a touchdown - and recovered a fumble. He also had two pass break-ups and three tackles in the Imps' second shutout of the season.

Coachspeak

Ryan Habich

Fuquay-Varina head coach

"We're a little bit more balanced on offense this year than we have been in the past. It's big because we can throw the ball a little more on offense and also do some other things."