Perry, Willoughby South and Mayfield put perfect records on the line Friday as Cuyahoga Heights hosts Independence, Kirtland meets Beachwood and conference and playoff races intensify across Northeast Ohio.

Eastlake North, Willoughby South, Perry and Mayfield remained unbeaten, while Cuyahoga Heights won a pivotal CVC Metro showdown during a busy Oct. 2 football slate.

Five area football teams remained unbeaten Friday as South survived Chardon, North made history, Perry recorded its third straight shutout and Wickliffe took sole possession of first place in the CVC Metro Division.

South answered Chardon’s late tying touchdown with a game-winning drive as Luke Jensen threw for 345 yards in the Rebels’ 35-28 victory.

Week 6 brings a loaded Northeast Ohio football schedule, including Chardon at unbeaten South, Kirtland at Chagrin Falls, Perry at Geneva and West Geauga at Edgewood.

South enters Friday’s showdown with Chardon at 5-0 and ranked fifth in Division III, but the Rebels will have to reverse more than a decade of history to remain perfect. Chardon has won 11 straight in a series the Hilltoppers lead, 23-10.

North stayed perfect with a dramatic 22-21 win at Chardon as Josh Fenick scored a late touchdown and powered in the game-winning two-point conversion.

Fairport and Brooklyn get Week 5 started Thursday before Friday brings a loaded Northeast Ohio football slate featuring two OV Top 10 matchups, several unbeaten teams and key league games.

Chardon and Madison bring powerful rushing attacks into Friday’s CVC TV Game of the Week, with conference positioning, Region 9 playoff points and a longtime rivalry all in play.

Week 4 brings a loaded football slate from Sept. 10-12, with unbeaten teams, intriguing matchups and many of the season’s top statistical performers in action.

Chardon returns 12 starters as the Hilltoppers look to build on a 6-5 season under second-year head coach Brian Landies.