All game times are 7:30 p.m.

Athens Drive at Apex

Athens Drive (4-2, 3-0) has made great strides since the beginning of the season, and the Jaguars are still tied for first in the Tri-Nine Conference. The Jags’ turnover-forcing defense will see what it can do against Apex (1-4, 0-4). The Cougars have scored seven points in each of their last four games.

Last 10 meetings: Tied 5-5.

Cary at Lee County

Cary (3-3, 2-2) and Lee County (4-2, 2-1) both have played conference-leading Middle Creek close, but now the two sides turn their attention to one another in what could be a pivotal game in who finishes in the top three of the conference. The top three teams from the Tri-Nine get automatic berths in the state playoffs.

Last 10 meetings: Cary leads 7-3.

Green Hope at Fuquay-Varina

It’s been a while since these schools entered a Friday night showdown expecting a close game. Green Hope (4-2, 2-1) and Fuquay-Varina (3-3, 2-2) games usually are blowouts, with eight of the all-time meetings decided by 32 or more points. The other three times, the margin of defeat was eight or fewer points, and either one or both teams missed the playoffs. That’s not as likely this time around, though both will need to reach five wins to feel safe.

All-time series: Fuquay leads 9-2.

Panther Creek at Middle Creek

Panther Creek (1-5, 1-3) handed Middle Creek (5-1, 3-0) its only Tri-Nine loss last season, but the Mustangs got revenge in the playoffs. Middle Creek will retire Rashawn King’s number before the game and welcome coach Sean Crocker in his first game back with Panther Creek after changing jobs in the offseason.

All-time series: Middle Creek leads 5-1.

Player of the week

Dominique Lynch

Athens Drive, RB, junior

Lynch carried the load for the Jags in a 27-10 win Friday. He carried the ball 30 times for a season-high 180 yards, rushing for a 6-yard score and also scoring on a 40-yard catch-and-run.

Coach speak

Kwame Dixon

Green Hope head coach

On Apex quarterback Ian Boyd: “He is a very talented freshman. We told our guys, ‘We have to tackle their quarterback.’ Even with me emphasizing that, he was able to elude our kids and make them look silly.”