Beyond the Scoreboard: Opening night games and predictions for WNC's Top 10 Poll teams

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — High school football season is finally here, and Week 1 on Friday night is full of compelling storylines among the 21 games involving 34 Western North Carolina schools.

Here's a look at each game involving WLOS.com's Preseason WNC Top 10 Poll.

Unless noted, all games start at 7:30 p.m.

No. 1 Reynolds (14-2 last season) at Southern Durham (3-8)

This should be a tuneup opener for the Rockets, who open their home schedule with a bang next week against perennial power Shelby.

The Rockets beat the Spartans 50-9 last season. Southern Durham went 40-7 from 2013-15 but has lost 13 games over the past two seasons. Reynolds by 15.

No. 2 Murphy (12-3) at No. 3 Pisgah (7-6)

Two of WNC's best football programs square off in the season opener for a second straight year.

If you are a casual fan looking for a great matchup, this is the game to attend.

With two quality offensives full of skill position talent, whoever has the ball last may prevail. Murphy by 1.

No. 4 Christ School (8-2) at Christian Academy of Knoxville (2-9), 7 p.m.

The head coaching debut of Tommy Langford, who inherited a Christ School offense loaded with college-level talent.

The Greenies won last year's meeting 28-9. The Warriors won 70 games and two state titles from 2010-16 before struggling last season. Christ School by 16.

No. 5Erwin (6-5) at Mitchell (12-2)

Another intriguing Week 1 matchup. The Mountaineers were 47-11 the past four years with Ben Young at quarterback, but he is among the heavy losses to graduation that coach Travise Pitman must rebuild from.

Erwin has 14 starters back, and their big-play offense will likely cause problems for the Mountaineers. Erwin by 6.

No. 6 Hendersonville (10-4) at North Henderson (2-9)

Homecoming for Bearcats' wide receiver Kalin Ensley, who played quarterback at North two years ago before transferring to Hendersonville.

In his second year with the Knights, coach Zach Wilkins is trying to build a program the right way with a young team but will likely take some lumps playing in the Western Mountain Athletic Conference. Hendersonville by 22.

No. 9 Asheville (7-5) at No. 7 Franklin (13-1)

Yet another interesting season opener involving teams that rank third and fourth among WNC programs in winning percentage over the past 10 seasons.

Both coaches are worried about depth, but the Cougars have a potentially explosive offense that could light up the scoreboard. Asheville by 3.

North Buncombe (1-10) at No. 8 Cherokee (14-1)

The Braves play their first game as defending state 1A champions, and coach Kent Briggs has enough returning talent available to make another run at the playoffs.

Coach Brandon Allen, in his second stint with the Black Hawks, is trying to kickstart a program that has long struggled. Cherokee by 14.

Brevard (6-6) at No. 10 Mountain Heritage (13-1)

Trey Robinson took his 41-13 record as the Cougars' starting quarterback the past four seasons to college, and his father Joey Robinson is in charge as the coach to keep the program winning.

Brevard fell from a 10-2 season in 2016, but talent like quarterback Mitchell Johnson and receiver Luke Ellenberger will lead the charge to reverse fortunes once again in Transylvania County. Mountain Heritage by 1.

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