CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mallard Creek football coach Mike Palmieri said his team hadn't been talking about a potential rematch with Independence.
The Patriots, who moved to No. 2 in this week's Sweet 16, beat Mallard Creek 42-41 to start the season in August. Mavericks quarterback Marquise Williams was stopped on a two-point conversion that would've won it.
"It wasn't even a yard away," said Palmieri, whose team jumps to No. 5.
The Mavericks (10-1) will play the Patriots (11-1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Mallard Creek in one of the state's biggest second-round playoff games. Independence is ranked No. 3 in the N.C. Associated Press 4A statewide poll. Mallard Creek is No. 8.
Until the Mavericks beat Hopewell in a first-round playoff and saw the Patriots had won, Palmieri said his team hadn't spent time thinking about Independence Part II.
Now, it's here, and Palmieri said it's the biggest game in Mallard Creek's three-year history. The Mavericks were 9-0 last year before they had to forfeit all the wins because of an ineligible player. Mallard Creek lost its final game in 2008 to West Charlotte.
"For us to be 10-1 now after having a season taken away from us shows a lot about the program we're building here," Palmieri said, "especially after losing 15 starters from last year's team. We feel like we're better than last year. This is a big season for us."
Since losing to Independence, Mallard Creek has won 10 straight games and allowed 92 points. Friday night, Palmeiri said he hopes his team can get into position to upset the Patriots again.
"We've just got to execute," he said. "It was a one-point game but we made a lot of mistakes, just like they did. Hopefully we will get another chance to win the game and make the play this time."
Providence, which has won three straight, moved into this week's poll at No. 16. The Panthers played No. 1 Butler and No. 2 Independence to close games. The Panthers will play at Richmond Senior, ranked No. 4 in the state poll, in Friday's second round.
Butler is No. 19 in this week's National Prep Poll. The Bulldogs are No. 13 in MaxPreps and No. 49 in Rivals.
Sweet 16
1. Butler
2. Independence
3. Albemarle
4. West Rowan
5. Mallard Creek
6. Lenoir Hibriten
7. Monroe
8. Catawba Bandys
9. Charlotte Latin
10. Shelby
11. Newton-Conover
12. Kannapolis Brown
13. Alexander Central
14. Rock Hill
15. Olympic
16. Providence
