At 5-1 in the conference, Middle Creek controls its destiny for one of the No. 1 seeds in the N.C. High School Athletic Association football playoffs and a Tri-Nine championship. The Mustangs got some help last week when Cary knocked off Panther Creek. Holly Springs (2-4 Tri-Nine) needs to win in order to be playoff-eligible. Last week, the Golden Hawks played Fuquay-Varina as close as any team since the season's first three weeks.

All-time series: Middle Creek 2-0.

Athens Drive (4-5) at Lee County (3-5)

In each of the last two times these two have met, the game has gone down to the final minutes and been decided by two points or fewer. Athens is 3-3 in the conference and hoping one more win is the ticket to the state playoffs. Lee County is 2-4 in the league and has had trouble defending the pass - which is Athens' specialty. But the Yellow Jackets have been a different team at home this season than on the road, winning twice and keeping it respectable with conference leaders Panther Creek and Middle Creek.

Last eight meetings: Athens Drive leads 5-3.

Apex (1-5-1) at Fuquay-Varina (8-1)

Fuquay-Varina's bye week is next Friday, so this is the season finale for the Bengals, who are poised to clinch at least a share of the conference championship with a win (although Middle Creek would get the greater bragging rights with the head-to-head win earlier this year). There isn't another game for the Bengals (6-1 Tri-Nine) to look forward to next week, which should come in handy considering Apex is coming off arguably its best performance. Though Apex and Northern Durham played to a 20-20 tie Friday, the Cougars (1-5 Tri-Nine) led most of the game against a Knights team tied for its conference lead.

Last 10 meetings: Fuquay leads 6-4.

Green Hope (2-7) at Cary (6-2)

Cary controls its own destiny to finish no lower than third in the Tri-Nine and will play host to cross-town foe Green Hope. Aside from a two-game stretch against Middle Creek and Fuquay-Varina, the Imps (4-2 Tri-Nine) haven't allowed more than 14 points in a game all season. In last week's 19-7 victory against Panther Creek, the defense didn't allow a single score. Green Hope (0-6 Tri-Nine) is on a 35-game conference losing streak that nearly was snapped in last week's 25-24 overtime loss to Lee County.

All-time series: Cary leads 9-2.

Jordan (2-7) at Panther Creek (6-3)

Panther Creek went from tied for first in the Tri-Nine to fourth with last week's loss to Cary. The Catamounts will have to wait until next week to try and improve their 5-2 Tri-Nine standing, as they step out of the league in week 10 to play Jordan High from Durham. The Falcons usually are the third-best team in the PAC-6 Conference but are having a down season this year, giving up almost 38 points per loss.

All-time series: Panther Creek leads 2-0.

Player of the Week

Carlton Bridges

Fuquay-Varina RB, Junior

The Bengals held off an emotionally-charged Holly Springs team with a 27-19 win, and Bridges was a big reason why. The fullback traveled 186 yards on his 16 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Bridges, in his first year as a starter, enters Friday's season finale against Apex with 1,076 yards rushing, which is second in the conference. His 10 rushing touchdowns are the third-most in the conference.

Coach speak

David Riggs

Holly Springs head coach

After a close loss to Fuquay-Varina the same week of former coach Jim Hynus' death: "Wins and losses are important but playing hard and giving your best (means) more, and coach Hynus would be very proud of them tonight."