North Carolina Top 25 high school football rankings (9/7/2023)

1. Providence Day (3-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Defeated. Charlotte Catholic 42-7

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The Chargers threw their weight around in a nationally televised (ESPNU) win on Sept. 2 behind quarterback and Michigan commit Jaydn Davis (264 passing yards, three touchdowns) and running back Ian Cline (101 rushing yards, three touchdowns). They have scored at least 42 points in each of their three games this season.

Next game: at Cannon (3-0), Sept. 8

No. 2. Grimsley (3-0)

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Defeated Reagan 41-15

The Whirlies picked up another convincing win against a quality opponent last week and show no signs of slowing down.

Junior running back Mitchell Summers went for 225 yards and three touchdowns a week after his six-touchdown performance against Rolesville.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Southeast Guilford

3. Weddington (3-0)

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Defeated West Forsyth 44-22

The Warriors pulled away in the second half from upstart West Forsyth for their third straight win. Tyler Budge to Keenan Jackson continues to be a formidable scoring combination for a team averaging 44 points per game.

Next game: Sept. 8 at Butler

4. East Forsyth (3-0)

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Defeated A.C. Reynolds 27-21

The Eagles got all they wanted in the Rockets last week and had to convert a couple of key third downs in the fourth quarter to finish off the win. After going up 21-0 in the first quarter, East had trouble finishing drives and turning the ball over. They will take the bye week this week to correct things before opening Central Piedmont 4-A Conference play on Sept. 15.

Next game: Reagan, Sept. 15

5. Crest (3-0)

Previous rank: 5. Last week: Defeated Shelby 53-38

Ny'Tavious Huskey continues to put on a show every week after throwing for 411 yards and six touchdowns and running for another score last week. He now has 975 passing yards and 14 touchdowns this season. About the only concern for the Chargers might be the defense, which has surrendered 105 points in three games.

Next game: at Ashbrook, Sept. 15

6. Mallard Creek (1-1)

Previous rank: 6. Last week: Bye

The Mavericks enjoyed a week off after coming close to upsetting one of the top ranked teams in the country on Aug. 26.

They will face another tough opponent this week against Gaffney (SC).

Next game: vs. Gaffney (South Carolina), Sept. 9

7. Dudley (3-0)

Previous rank: 9. Last week: Defeated Hillside 54-8

The Panthers have posted three dominant wins this season and are averaging more than 50 points a game while the defense is give up just 5 per game.

Quarterback Andrew Attmore II has thrown for 821 yards and 13 touchdowns and has three receivers with at least 200 yards, including junior Nassir Newkirk (225 receiving yards, three touchdowns), who recently picked up an offer from Georgia.

Next game: vs. High Point Central, Sept. 15

8. Cleveland

Previous rank: 7. Last week: Defeated West Johnston 46-0

Quarterback Jackson Byrd has two dynamic targets in Zalin Ingram (385 receiving yards, two touchdowns) and Camdon Inscoe (248, two touchdowns) for a Rams offense averaging more than 38 points per game.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Corinth Holders

9. Kings Mountain (3-0)

Previous rank: 8. Last week: Defeated Burns 23-14

The Mountaineers built a 21-6 lead in their win against Burns but were shut out in the second half, with the only points coming off a safety.

The defense held a high-powered Burns offense to a season-low 14 points, however, after averaging 35 points per game in their first two games of the season.

Next game: vs. Huss, Sept. 15

10. Reidsville (3-0)

Previous: 10. Last week: Defeated Rockingham Co. 28-19

Quarterback Al Lee may be missing a couple of his favorite targets who are recovering from injuries, but Kendre Harrison, Paul Widerman and Cam'Ron Jones are helping to fill in those sizable gaps with huge contributions of their own.

Next game: At Eastern Alamance, Sept. 8

11. Mount Airy (3-0)

Previous: 11. Last week: Defeated Surry Central 56-0.

Rinse and repeat through three games for the Bears, who have still yet to allow a single point to be scored this season.

The reigning 1-A state champs have things rolling right along once again but will face an interesting test Friday night against unbeaten Ashe County, which is averaging 40 points per game.

Next game: vs. Ashe County, Sept. 8

12. Clinton

Previous: 12. Last week: Defeated Lumberton 41-6

Running backs Josiah McLaurin and Josiah Robinson have combined 542 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for a potent offense that has scored 139 points in three games.

Next game: at Whiteville, Sept. 8

13. Seventy-First (2-0)

Previous: 13. Last week: Bye

The Falcons defense has allowed just 20 points in two games this season while relying on three running backs (Jayson Franklin, Donovan Frederick and DeAndre Nance) who each have 200-plus rushing yards and a combined nine touchdowns.

Next game: Vs. Hoke County, Sept. 8

14. Hough (2-1)

Previous: Not ranked. Last week: Defeated Dutch Fork (SC) 20-17

After a sluggish start to its season, Hough turned plenty of heads with its win last week against the reigning 5A state champions from South Carolina. Nolan Hauser, who has committed to Clemson, kicked the game-winning field goal which also tied the national high school record for the most career field goals with 56.

Next game: at North Mecklenburg, Sept. 14

15. Mount Tabor (2-1)

Previous: 15. Last week: Defeated Page 40-6

Quarterback Lane Albright had his best showing of the season in the win against Page, throwing for 200 yards and four touchdowns and adding a rushing touchdown. The Spartans' defense is also finding their form after allowing just 12 points the last two games, both wins.

Next game: Sept. 15 at West Forsyth

16. Leesville Road (3-0)

Previous: 18. Last week: Defeated Overhills 28-0

The Pride keeps rolling behind junior quarterback Deiondre Goldston (505 passing, six touchdowns) and a defense that has allowed 28 points through three games.

Next game: Sept. 8 vs. Heritage

Tarboro (3-0)

Previous: 16. Last week: Defeated North Edgecombe 62-6

The Vikings' offense continues to produce and is averaging 51 points per game with its three-pronged rushing attack of Kamerin McDowell-Moore (300 rushing yards, seven touchdowns), Mason Satterfield (235 rush, three touchdowns) and Caiden Everette (223 rush, three touchdowns).

Next game: Sept. 8 at Southwest Edgecombe

18. Salisbury (3-0)

Previous: 17. Last week: Defeated East Rowan 65-7

The Hornets have scored 42, 62 and 65 points in their three wins while allowing 0, 6 and 7 points, respectively.

Running back Jamal Rule has 619 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and quarterback Mike Geter has 554 passing yards and nine touchdowns.

Next game: at Person, Sept. 8

19. Pinecrest (3-0)

Previous: 19. Last week: Defeated Middle Creek 27-24

Zymire Spencer continues to lead the Patriots' charge despite being held to just 47 rushing yards in last week's win. Spencer has 412 rushing yards and nine touchdowns this season, averaging 137.3 rush yards per game.

Next game: Vs. New Hanover, Sept. 8

20. West Charlotte (3-0)

Previous: 25. Last week: Defeated Independence 21-20

The Lions have posted three wins over quality opponents to start the season after last week's win over Independence. They will have a week off this week to prepare for No. 6 Mallard Creek.

Next game: Sept. 14, at Mallard Creek

21. Cardinal Gibbons (2-1)

Previous: 21. Last week: Defeated Richmond Senior 26-9

Quarterback Whit Newbauer continues to get things done with his arm (783 passing yards, six touchdowns) and his legs (140 rushing, one touchdown) for the Crusaders.

Next game: At No. 22 Rolesville, Sept. 8

22. Rolesville (2-1)

Previous: 22. Last week: Defeated East Wake 56-0

After allowing 82 points in their first two games, the Rams' defense came up with a shutout in last week's win.

Next game: vs. No. 21 Cardinal Gibbons, Sept. 8

23. Butler (2-1)

Previous: 22. Last week: Defeated Langston Hughes (Georgia) 30-27

An impressive win for the Bulldogs against one of the top teams in Georgia last week. Can they seize on that momentum Friday night in a huge matchup against No. 3 Weddington?

Next game: Vs. No. 3 Weddington, Sept. 8

24. East Lincoln (3-0)

Previous: 24. Last week: Defeated Lincolnton 28-14

Running back Christopher Daley (375 rushing yards, four touchdowns) and sophomore quarterback Grant Lawless (435 passing yards, five touchdowns) are leading the youth movement for the Mustangs offense. The defense has allowed just 22 points per game. The reigning 3A state champs haven't missed a step despite losing a ton to graduation after last season.

Next game: at Hickory, Sept. 15

25. Charlotte Catholic (2-1)

Previous: 14. Last week: Lost to Providence Day 42-7

The Cougars never found their footing on the big stage against Providence Day last week.

Next game: Vs. North Mecklenburg Sept. 8