This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Stars from Utah schools

DENVER • Jim Turner, a former Utah State quarterback, is in the Broncos' Ring of Fame as a kicker, having spent nine seasons with the team. Rulon Jones, a defensive end from Weber High School and USU, also played nine years for the Broncos and appeared in two Super Bowls.

CHARLOTTE • Steve Smith Sr., a receiver from Utah, played 13 seasons for the Panthers and caught more than 800 passes. Jordan Gross, an offensive lineman from Utah, played 11 seasons for Carolina and was a three-time All-Pro selection.

Edge: Panthers.

Iconic high schools

DENVER • Established in 1875, East High School lists among its graduates basketball player Joe Barry Carroll, baseball pitcher Stan Williams, actor Don Cheadle, singer Judy Collins, singer Philip Bailey and two other members of Earth, Wind & Fire.

CHARLOTTE • Opened in 1950, Charlotte Christian School is known for having produced NBA star Stephen Curry and his brother Seth, plus former Jazz forward Todd Fuller, baseball player Daniel Bard and MLS goalie Clint Irwin.

Edge: Broncos

Mecklenburg influence

DENVER • Karl Mecklenburg rose from a 12th-round draft pick to become one of Denver's most disruptive defensive players. The linebacker was a four-time All-Pro selection in the 1980s and ranks second in sacks in franchise history.

CHARLOTTE • Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is the namesake of Charlotte, as determined by loyalists to her husband, King George III, when the city was founded in 1768. Charlotte is the seat of Mecklenburg County.

Edge: Broncos.

Movie locations

CHARLOTTE • The original "Hunger Games" movie, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, was filmed almost entirely in North Carolina. The script was based on a series of novels about children being chosen to compete in an annual death match. A studio in Charlotte was part of the Capitol setting.

DENVER • Some competition in "Blades of Glory," a comedic depiction of the cutthroat world of figure skating, supposedly took place in Denver, although the filming was done in Los Angeles except for an aerial shot of the Pepsi Center. Former skating rivals Jon Heder and Will Ferrell compete as the sport's first men's pairs team and Ferrell's Chazz Michael Michaels character expresses his appreciation to the crowd by exclaiming, "We love you, Denver! City by the bay!"

Edge: Panthers.

Legendary Jazz moments

CHARLOTTE • In his fifth NBA season, Jazz forward Karl Malone scored 52 points, making 22 of 28 shots from the field, in a 114-100 victory at Charlotte in 1989. The Mailman's performance came after teammate John Stockton convinced him that the Hornets' Armen Gilliam had called him "overrated," which never happened. Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson labeled the game "vintage Malone."

DENVER • In his fifth NBA season, Jazz forward Thurl Bailey scored 16 of his 41 points in the last nine minutes of a 116-115 win at Denver in 1988. His turnaround jump shot with seven seconds left capped a night when Bailey responded to the first-quarter ejections of Malone and coach Frank Layden with a career-best scoring night. "When our star took an early vacation, the other guys had to step forward," Bailey said.

Edge: Panthers.

Musicians

DENVER • Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., known as John Denver, changed his name in honor of his favorite state's capital when he pursued a singing career. Denver lived much of his adult life in Aspen, Colo., and released some 300 songs, including "Rocky Mountain High." He died in a plane crash in 1997 at age 53.

CHARLOTTE • Vocalist Joel Madden and others formed Good Charlotte in 1996 in Maryland. They have released five albums and two compilations.

Edge: Broncos.

Airport features

CHARLOTTE • Charlotte's Douglas International Airport is known for the white, wooden rocking chairs that create the feel of a traditional Southern porch and have launched an airport trend.

DENVER • The signature look of Denver International Airport, practically located in western Kansas, is the roofline designed to resemble the peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Edge: Panthers.