Elite prospects to square off in Carolina Panthers 'Keep Pounding High School Classic'

High school football is nearly ready to get underway in North Carolina, and some of the nation’s most talented prospects will play in the Tarheel State in 2024.

The Carolina Panthers will help kick off the regular season next week with the Keep Pounding High School Classic on Aug. 22, featuring four top programs in North Carolina.

Independence will take on Myers Park at 4 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium in game one of the doubleheader. Game two between Providence Day and Weddington will kick off at 8 p.m.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory. According to the model, each team participating in the Carolina Panthers Keep Pounding High School Classic ranks in the top 20 in North Carolina heading into the season.

“The Carolina Panthers are thrilled to kick off the high school football season with two high-powered matchups, as well as celebrate the important role high school football plays in communities across our region,” Carolina Panthers Director of Community Relations Riley Fields said. “Anticipation is high for this year’s Keep Pounding High School Classic, and we are excited about the new double-header format that will provide a memorable experience for the high school football community.”

Independence vs. Myers Park

No. 11 Independence finished the 2023 season with an 11-4 record, falling to Weddington 34-14 in the 4A state semifinals. Senior quarterback Justin Little threw for 2,722 yards and 29 touchdowns while junior running back Jayden Jones ran for a staggering 1,830 yards and 19 scores. On the flip side of the ball, junior three-star linebacker Dallas Brannon racked up 147 tackles and classmate Nick Reddish picked off four passes.

Myers Park, the preseason No. 20 squad in North Carolina, earned a 4A SoMeck conference title before falling to Charlotte Catholic in the first round of the postseason. Junior edge rusher Rodney Dunham is one of the nation’s most coveted prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle. He ranks No. 42 nationally and No. 6 in North Carolina according to the On3 Industry Ranking. This loaded Mustangs junior class also features four-star defensive back Camdin Portis and four-star wide receiver Brody Keefe.

Providence Day vs. Weddington

Three-time defending NCISAA state champion Providence Day went 12-1 in 2023 and enters 2024 with the nation’s best offensive tackle. Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders Jr. ranks No. 4 nationally in the 2025 class and is just days away from announcing his college decision. Sanders is joined on the line of scrimmage by top-100 junior offensive tackle Leo Delaney and five-star junior Kendre Harrison at tight end.

No. 1 Weddington has won four state titles in the last 10 years, including a 56-21 2023 4A championship win over Hoggard to cap a 14-2 season last year. Opponents may have a difficult time scoring on the Warriors in 2024 with multiple blue-chip recruits on the defensive side of the ball. Ohio State four-star DL Trajen Odom headlines the senior class, ranking No. 161 overall in the 2025 On300. And much like Providence Day, Weddington’s junior class is stacked with talent. Defensive lineman Aiden Harris is the nation’s No. 25 player in the 2026 On300 while linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. and EDGE Andrew Harris rank as four-star prospects.

Additional details

According to the release from the Panthers, each school will host an honorary coin toss captain. Former NFL wide receiver Hakeem Nicks will represent Independence with former Carolina defensive back Captain Munnerlyn alongside Myers Park.

In the evening, current Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu will be the honorary captain for Providence Day, while Weddington will be represented by longtime Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis Sr.

School bands will perform during the event in addition to an appearance by the Johnson C. Smith University International Institution of Sound marching band during halftime of the Providence Day vs. Weddington game.

Tickets for the doubleheader will be sold for $8 via Ticketmaster.