The Butler Bulldogs will square off against the Mooresville Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Butler is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They strolled past Hopewell with points to spare, taking the game 42-28. The Bulldogs' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
The match pitted two dominant backs against one another in DeMaurion Thomas-Wright and Zac Jones. Thomas-Wright had a great game and rushed for 90 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, Jones was balling out in the loss, rushing for 214 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 11.3 yards per carry.
Amari Sifford
| 11/07/25 vs Hopewell | 9 |
| 10/30/25 vs Independence | 7 |
| 10/24/25 @ Mallard Creek | 12 |
| 10/17/25 vs West Charlotte | 10 |
| 10/10/25 vs North Mecklenburg | 9 |
| + 6 more games |
Butler didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Amari Sifford and Israel Houston. Sifford is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least seven every time he's taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, Mooresville had already won five in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 34.4 points) and they went ahead and made it six two weeks ago. They had just enough and edged out the Wildcats 23-21.
Butler better keep an eye on Brody Norman. He was instrumental in Mooresville's win, rushing for 76 yards and a pair of TDs, while also throwing for 170 yards and one touchdown. That's the most rushing yards Norman has posted since back in November of 2024.
Mooresville didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Lake Norman to a completion percentage of just 39.1%. The team can thank Gavin Pegram for the heroic effort on defense: he. Mooresville hasn't an opponent to post a completion percentage of 0.48 or higher in four consecutive contests.
Mooresville's defense also made the game a nightmare for Kaden Craft, racking up seven sacks. The heavy lifting was done by Amir Childs and Kamdon Gillespie, who racked up four sacks between them. Gillespie also set a new season-high mark in total tackles with 11. Jace McCallum was another major factor on D, picking up a sack, making 13 total tackles, and defending one pass.
Butler's record is now 5-6. As for Mooresville, their record now sits at 8-2.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Butler has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 153.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mooresville struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 166.7 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Butler took their victory against Mooresville when the teams last played back in November of 2022 by a conclusive 41-21 score. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Blue Devils' Jawarn Howell, who rushed for 147 yards and a pair of scores. Now that he won't be playing on Friday, will it be easier for the Bulldogs to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.
