North Carolina High School Football Rankings: Top 25 – Sept. 10
While some teams moved around the North Carolina On3 Massey Ratings Top 25 list as of September 10, there were no significant jumps or nosedives across the board. However, the top eight teams remained as is, solidifying the landscape of North Carolina high school football.
Likewise, 15 of the top 25 teams remain undefeated after three weeks of action. Five of them are in the top ten, showing competitive balance across the state.
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, one team from North Carolina ranks inside the nationwide top 100.
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1. Weddington
Previous: No. 1
The Warriors didn’t need much to defeat Providence Day and Ardrey Kell, outscoring them 27-7 in their first two games. However, Weddington proved they are North Carolina’s best high school football team with a 48-13 domination of West Forsyth last September 6. Limiting their opponents to 6.6 points per game makes Weddington the best defense in the state.
2. Grimsley
Previous: No. 2
Make it three wins in a row for the Whirlies after handily defeating Reagan 42-7. Likewise, Grimsley’s offense is on fire after scoring 34 and 35 points against Mount Tabor and Rolesville. What’s scary is that they could have another dominating performance against Southeast Guilford on September 20.
3. William Amos Hough
Previous: No. 3
The Huskies are back on track after their one-point loss to South Carolina-based Northwestern. William Amos Hough’s explosive offense scored 52 against Myers Park and 41 against Carolina Forest. However, they are not just an offensive juggernaut because their defense limited their last two opponents to 13 combined points and blanked Carolina Forest during their September 6 affair.
4. East Forsyth
Previous: No. 4
Bryce Baker and the Eagles’ offense is on fire, tallying 149 points in three games. Their latest victory was a 49-14 masterclass against A.C. Reynolds. That’s not even their most impressive outing because they generated 56 points against Jack Britt. East Forsyth’s offense ranks third among North Carolina high school football teams, trailing William Amos Hough and Grimsley.
5. Mallard Creek
Previous: No. 5
While the Mavericks split their first two games, their place in the middle of the top ten remains secured. After starting the season with a 31-21 win over Prince Avenue Christian, they lost to Grayson 28-14. Mallory Creek’s defense ranks third among high school football teams in ‘The Old North State.’
6. Providence Day School
Previous: No. 6
The Chargers stuck with top-ranked Weddington before losing the match 13-7. They used that setback to complete a 24-9 victory against Charlotte Catholic, giving them two wins in three games. Providence Day can earn their third win by bringing their A-game against Charlotte Country Day.
7. Independence
Previous: No. 7
After edging Myers Park in their season opener, the Patriots have found their groove, leading to a 45-6 outplay of Hickory Ridge. Independence maintained the momentum with a 34-13 win against Charlotte Christian, keeping them undefeated after three games.
8. Cleveland
Previous: No. 8
The Rams escaped with a 35-32 victory over John T. Hoggard during their 2024 season opener. However, they proved worthy of their place among the top ten North Carolina high school football teams after surrendering only six points to Heritage and zero to West Johnston. Conversely, they lit up the scoreboard with 81 points in their last two games.
9. Cardinal Gibbons
Previous: No. 10 (+1)
As one of two movers within the top ten, the Crusaders kept their unblemished record via a 31-13 victory against Richmond Senior. Their September 13 showdown with Rolesville should be a challenging matchup.
10. Rolesville
Previous: No. 9 (-1)
While the Rams completed a 52-0 blowout of East Wake High School, they dropped one spot in the rankings due to strength of schedule. Their 35-20 loss to Grimsley also indicates their rightful spot as the tenth-best North Carolina high school football team.
Teams 11-25 in the latest North Carolina High School Football Rankings
11. Dudley
12. West Forsyth (+1)
13. Porter Ridge (-1)
14. Clayton
15. Crest
16. Reagan
17. John T. Hoggard
18. Seventy-First
19. Mount Tabor
20. Charlotte Christian
21. Monroe
22. Havelock (+1)
23. Mooresville Senior (-1)
24. Leesville Road (+1)
25. Watauga (-1)