GAME OF THE WEEK: Mallard Creek beats Hough, 20-10, to advance to 4-AA state finals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mallard Creek's streak of three straight state championships came to a screeching halt last season.

The Mavericks are back, making another trip to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-AA state finals.

[GAME OF THE WEEK: HSFE Week 16: Hough at Mallard Creek]

Mallard Creek (14-0), the top seed in the west, defeated seventh-seeded Hough 20-10 on Friday in the West Regional Finals.

Mallard Creek plays Wake Forest High School at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem on Dec. 9 in the state championship game.

Hough (11-4) scored first, taking a 7-0 lead, and held on to a 7-6 advantage at halftime.

Mallard Creek took the lead with a touchdown with 10:02 remaining in the third quarter. Following a Hough field goal, the Mavericks added their final touchdown late in the third.

Mallard Creek edged Greensboro Page, 9-5, in last week's third-round playoff game, while Hough dominated Myers Park, 39-17.

Mallard Creek won the matchup between the schools. 41-7, on Oct. 27. The Mavericks also beat the Huskies, 21-18, in last year's postseason.

Mallard Creek has won five straight over Hough. Hough last won, 31-28, in overtime in 2015.

Cox Media Group