North Carolina High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - Oct. 2

The North Carolina On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Oct. 2 features one new team in the top ten and three new squads out of those ranked from 11 to 25. Meanwhile, 11 of the best North Carolina high school football teams remain undefeated after the round of games during the last weekend of September.

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, two North Carolina teams rank in the top 100 nationwide.

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1. Weddington

Even if they didn’t play last weekend, Weddington remains North Carolina’s top team. However, their fans still remember the 56-0 beatdown they delivered against Chapel Hill. While the Warriors are ranked seventh on offense, they are the state’s top defensive team, limiting opponents to 7.8 points per game. The Warriors will try to limit Porter Ridge’s production within that average when they face each other on Oct. 10.

2. Grimsley

The Whirly’s defense has elevated its game, allowing seven points each to Reagan, Southeast Guilford, and Northwest Guilford. However, its offense hasn’t lost a step, scoring at least 42 points in each of its last three games. The 87th-best team in the nation can maintain its undefeated record against Western Guilford on Oct. 4.

3. East Forsyth

North Carolina high school football’s top-ranked offense completed a 55-0 shutout victory over Davie County. Corey Blair led the Eagles’ ground attack with 152 yards and two of East Forsyth’s seven rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, their fifth-ranked defense collected five sacks and 13 tackles for losses. The Eagles can soar to a 6-0 record by defeating 16^th-ranked Mount Tabor on Oct. 4.

4. Mallard Creek

The Mavericks’ elite defense flexed its muscle by shutting down Hopewell during their Sept. 28 contest. The 50-0 result improved Mallard Creek’s average to 15 points allowed per game. North Mecklenburg is next on their list, and it would be shocking if the Mavericks came out with a loss in that road game.

5. William Amos Hough

The Huskies are coming off four consecutive victories after their bitter one-point loss to Northwestern, South Carolina’s top-ranked team. Two of their three wins were shutouts, including a 56-0 thrashing of North Mecklenburg. Hough’s latest victory, a 58-3 demolition of Chambers, improved their points allowed average to 12.2, earning them the second spot among North Carolina high school football defenses.

6. Providence Day School

Providence Day has been cruising throughout the season except for its 13-7 loss to Weddington. In its five victories, Providence Day has allowed double-digit points only once and limited its last opponent, North Raleigh Christian, to seven points. After winning five of their first six games, the Chargers will welcome 20^th-ranked Charlotte Christian on Oct. 10.

7. Rolesville

After escaping the fierce challenge from 13^th-ranked Cardinal Gibbons, the Rams completed a shutout victory against Athens Drive. Braden Atkinson threw for four touchdowns, while Gavin Waddell had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. Devon Thomas and Jaedon Alford had two touchdowns each. This production level on offense should propel Rolesville to victory over Wakefield on Oct. 4.

8. Cleveland

The Rams continue to steamroll through the 2024 North Carolina high school football season after earning a 49-24 victory over South Garner. Jackson Byrd was the show’s star against the Titans, throwing two touchdown passes and adding two rushing scores. Kaleb Ferrell had 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Krisjon Clark had 125 receiving yards and a touchdown. Cleveland will rely on these players as they try to maintain their undefeated record against Fuquay-Varina.

9. Dudley

The Panthers have kept their last four opponents off the scoreboard. Therefore, Atkins joins Southeast Guilford, Hillside, and High Point Central as Dudley’s shutout victims. Maintaining this trend means that Ben L. Smith, Dudley’s next opponent, might not register a single point in their Oct. 4 game.

10. Crest

It’s been a while since the Crest Panthers last played. However, they haven’t lost this season after earning a 29-12 victory over Ashbrook. They will be going up against undefeated South Point in their next match, which Massey Ratings predict they should win.

Teams 11-25 in the latest North Carolina High School Football Rankings

11. John T. Hoggard
12. Monroe
13. Cardinal Gibbons
14. Independence
15. Seventy-First
16. Mount Tabor
17. Clayton
18. Mooresville Senior
19. Leesville Road
20. Charlotte Christian
21. Watauga
22. Reagan
23. Richmond Senior
24. Porter Ridge
25. Charlotte Catholic