The stretch run of the area high school football season starts Friday afternoon. Several first-place battles highlight the weekend slate.

The biggest match will take place in Columbia Friday evening as a pair of 5-0 teams - River Hill and 11th-ranked Atholton - meet for the top spot in the Howard County League. Eleven teams enter the weekend undefeated.

Here’s a look at some of the best games of the weekend followed by the complete schedule.

Forest Park (3-2) at Douglass (3-0)

When: Friday, 3:45 p.m.

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The winner gains first place in the Baltimore City league’s Division II. Forest Park (2-0 Division II) defeated Reginald Lewis, 44-0, last Friday as Jamari Ward had a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception return for another score, and Tijuan Reed scored two rushing touchdowns.

Jalen Knox and Nickolas Reid added rushing scores for the Foresters, whose losses came against reigning Class 4A/3A state champ Mervo and undefeated Poly.

Douglass held off Carver Vo-Tech, 8-6, last Friday, using a DeAndre Jones touchdown pass to Kai Smith and Chris Mobley’s two-point conversion. Don Thomas (interception) and Daryl Manuel (fumble recovery) produced turnovers for the Ducks’ defense.

The week before, Douglass outlasted Digital Harbor, 62-54, in seven overtimes.

No. 7 Mervo (3-1) at Poly (5-0)

When: Friday, 6 p.m.

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Off to its best start since 2011 (finished 11-1) under legendary coach Roger Wrenn, Poly faces its toughest challenge. The Engineers have outscored opponents, 162-17, including a 42-0 victory over Digital Harbor last weekend. Tavon McGee rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and senior quarterback Jason Lindsey threw for two scores.

Mervo, the defending Class 4A/3A state champs, had its 14-game winning streak snapped by fifth-ranked Dunbar, 24-20, in front of nearly 6,500 at Morgan State University, last Thursday. Raymond Moore threw for a touchdown, and Bobby Johnson had a rushing score.

The Mustangs have won the last seven meetings with Poly, including a 42-0 decision last year.

Howard (4-1) at Glenelg (4-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

The Elgard Trophy is the prize as Howard County’s longest football rivalry is renewed. The Gladiators got a 29-yard field goal from senior kicker Michael Fernades to turn away Oakland Mills, 9-7, last Friday evening. Ethan Sotka rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown.

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Howard defeated Mount Hebron, 20-14, on Tyler Sabatini’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Zamir Herald early in the fourth quarter. Sabatini threw for two scores, and Nick Formica added two touchdown catches.

This will be the 65th meeting between the schools.. The winner also keeps pace with No. 11 Atholton and River Hill - both undefeated heading into Friday evening’s showdown - in the Howard County championship race.

River Hill (5-0) at No. 11 Atholton (5-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

The top spot in Howard County is on the line as both squads easily cleared hurdles last weekend.

Atholton, which shared the crown in 2021 with Oakland Mills and Glenelg, routed Hammond as senior quarterback Miles Scott threw touchdown passes of 50- and 56-yards and Dillan Watkins scored twice.

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River Hill topped Reservoir, 35-0, behind two touchdown runs from quarterback Omar Hassan, including an 82-yarder. Ethan Burnett, Nico Lancashire and Eje Okokjie each added touchdown runs for the Hawks.

Atholton defeated River Hill, 14-7, last regular season and 27-3 in the Class 3A East Region playoffs. The Hawks are off to their best start since 2017.

New Town (4-1) at No. 6 Milford Mill (5-0)

When: Saturday, 12 p.m.

The top spot in Baltimore County’s Division II will be at stake. New Town will be rested after a forfeit victory over Randallstown last Saturday.

The Titans (3-0 Division II), under first-year coach William Savage, defeated Woodlawn, 34-20, Sept. 24, The Owings Mills school has allowed 28 points (three live games) since a 48-6 season-opening loss at Loyola.

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Milford Mill continued its perfect start with a 58-0 victory over Woodlawn last Friday evening. Junior quarterback Deshawn Purdie threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns and Sean Williams added 120 yards rushing and three scores.

The Millers have won 13 straight regular season decisions, including a 27-13 victory over New Town last season.

FRIDAY

Top 15

No. 5 Dunbar (5-0) at City (3-2), 3:45 p.m.

No. 7 Mervo (3-1) at Poly (5-0), 6 p.m.

Pallotti (2-3) at No. 12 McDonogh (2-3), 6 p.m.

Annapolis (1-4) at No. 10 Broadneck (4-1), 7 p.m.

Catonsville (2-3) at No. 15 Dundalk (4-1), 7 p.m.

Francis Scott Key (1-4) at No. 14 Westminster (4-1), 7 p.m.

Gilman (3-4) at No. 2 Spalding (5-1), 7 p.m.

No. 8 Concordia Prep (5-1) at John Carroll (2-3), 7 p.m.

River Hill (5-0) at No. 11 Atholton (5-0), 7 p.m.

West Toronto Prep-Canada (0-3) vs. No. 1 St. Frances (5-0) at Patterson Park, 7 p.m.

Winters Mill (2-3) at No. 13 South Carroll (5-0), 7 p.m.

Anne Arundel County

Meade (2-3) at Old Mill (3-2), 5 p.m.

Crofton (4-1) at Chesapeake-Anne Arundel (4-1), 7 p.m.

James M. Bennett (0-5) at Southern (2-3), 7 p.m.

Northeast (2-3) at Arundel (4-1), 7 p.m.

South River (2-3) at Severna Park (3-2), 7 p.m.

Baltimore City

Benjamin Franklin (1-3) vs. Digital Harbor (0-5) at Latrobe Park, 3:45 p.m.

Carver Vo-Tech (0-4) at Reginald Lewis (1-4), 3:45 p.m.

Edmondson (2-2) vs. Patterson (1-3) at Edmondson, 3:45 p.m.

Forest Park (3-2) at Douglass (3-0), 3:45 p.m.

Baltimore County

Kenwood (1-4) at Randallstown (0-5), 5:30 p.m.

Overlea (1-4) at Owings Mills (3-2), 6 p.m.

Parkville (1-4) at Franklin (3-2), 6 p.m.

Pikesville (1-4) at Lansdowne (1-4), 6:15 p.m.

Chesapeake-Baltimore County (1-3) vs. Eastern Tech (3-2) at CCBC-Essex, 6:30 p.m.

Hereford (4-1) at Woodlawn (2-3), 6:30 p.m.

Loch Raven (2-3) vs. Western Tech (1-4) at CCBC-Catonsville, 6:30 p.m.

Carroll County

Century (1-4) at Manchester Valley (1-4), 6:30 p.m.

Howard County

Hammond (0-5) at Reservoir (2-3), 7 p.m.

Howard (4-1) at Glenelg (4-1), 7 p.m.

Long Reach (3-2) at Centennial (1-4), 7 p.m.

Mount Hebron (1-4) at Oakland Mills (2-3), 7 p.m.

MIAA

St. Paul’s (2-3) at Curley (2-2), 4 p.m.

UCBAC

Aberdeen (0-5) at Rising Sun (3-2), 7 p.m.

Bohemia Manor (4-1) at C. Milton Wright (3-2), 7 p.m.

Edgewood (5-0) at Perryville (3-2), 7 p.m.

Elkton (3-2) at North East (0-5), 7 p.m.

Fallston (3-2) at Bel Air (5-0), 7 p.m.

North Harford (0-5) at Havre de Grace (0-5), 7 p.m.

Patterson Mill (4-1) at Harford Tech (3-2), 7 p.m.

Non-league

Green Street Academy (3-1) at Joppatowne (4-1), 6 p.m.

Brunswick (4-1) at Liberty (4-1), 6:30 p.m.

Towson (0-5) at Boonsboro (4-1), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Top 15

New Town (4-1) at No. 6 Milford Mill (5-0), 12 p.m.

No. 9 St. Mary’s (5-0) vs. Mount Carmel (3-1) at CCBC-Dundalk, 7 p.m.

Anne Arundel County

North County (1-4) at Glen Burnie (3-2), 12 p.m.

Baltimore County

Sparrows Point (3-2) at Patapsco (5-0), 12:30 p.m.

Perry Hall (2-3) at Dulaney (3-2), 1:30 p.m.

Howard County

Marriotts Ridge (0-5) at Wilde Lake (3-2), 12 p.m.

MIAA

Annapolis Area Christian (0-5) at Severn (4-1), 2 p.m.