Cary suffered its first loss of the year last Friday, but now has a second straight game with big Tri-Nine Conference implications. Cary's athletic and hard-hitting secondary should provide a good match-up against Middle Creek's bevy of dangerous run-after-catch wide receivers.

All-time series: Cary leads 5-3

Panther Creek (4-1) at Fuquay-Varina (4-1)

Don't look now, but Panther Creek has quietly gone 3-0 to open up Tri-Nine play and will try to stop the Bengals' 11-game home win streak. The Catamounts' David Mayaka is the conference's leading rusher (610 yards, 7 TDs). Fuquay's Evan McNeill leads the league in QB efficiency rating.

All-time series: Fuquay leads 3-2

Athens Drive (2-3) at Holly Springs (1-4)

Holly Springs' defeat of Green Hope last week was therapeutic for a team who saw its first win of the season erased after having to forfeit. Athens' three losses have come to teams that are now a combined 14-1. Athens quarterback Jason West has emerged as one of the area's best signal-callers. West leads the Tri-Nine in completions (86), yards (1,062) and is second in touchdowns (10).

All-time series: Athens Drive leads 2-0

Green Hope (2-3) at Apex (0-3)

Apex is still searching for its first win of the season while Green Hope is 0-2 in Tri-Nine play. The Apex offense has scored just one touchdown in its last two games but will face a Falcons defense that has allowed 96 points in the last two weeks.

All-time series: Apex leads 10-2

Northwood (0-5) at Lee County (2-3)

Lee County takes its final step outside of the conference to play a winless Northwood team. The Yellow Jackets are not to take the 2A Chargers lightly, as Northwood has lost three games by 10 points or fewer.

Player of the Week

Kevin Jones

Middle Creek WR, Senior.

Three of Jones' five catches on Friday went for touchdowns. The Mustangs senior scored on plays of 16, 46 and 53 yards as Middle Creek defeated Lee County 42-31. He ended the night with 154 yards and leads the Tri-Nine Conference with 378 on the season.

Coachspeak

Sean Crocker

Middle Creek head coach

"I thought Lee County had a lot of fight in them. Guys that didn't necessarily stand out in the film sessions were outstanding for them tonight."