Top 25 North Carolina High School Football Power Rankings (10/5/2023)

Here is this week's Power 25 ahead of Week 8 games

1. Providence Day (6-0)

Previous: 1. Last week: Defeated North Raleigh Christian 62-10

Receivers Jordan Shipp and Channing Godwin have combined for 1,155 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Chargers' six wins. Can anyone slow them down? Looking likely that the Chargers are well on their way to a third straight NCISAA state title.

Next game: at Charlotte Country Day (2-4), Oct. 6

2. Grimsley (6-0)

Previous: 2. Last week: Defeated Western Guilford 55-0

The Whirlies have recorded two shutouts and allowed just 14 points in their last three games, all Metro 4-A Conference wins.

Next game: vs. Ragsdale (1-5), Oct. 6

3. Butler (6-1)

Previous: 3. Last week: Defeated East Mecklenburg 58-0

Six straight wins for the Bulldogs after losing the season-opener at Rolesville. Two of their last three wins were shutouts.

Next game: at Rocky River (2-4), Oct. 6

4. Weddington (5-1)

Previous: 4. Last week: Open

The Warriors had an extra week to prepare for Porter Ridge after an impressive win over Dutch Fork (SC), the reigning 5-A state campions on Sept. 23.

Next game: at Porter Ridge (5-1), Oct. 6

6. Crest (6-0)

Previous: 5. Last week: Defeated South Point 61-49

Ny'Tavious Huskey has thrown for 1,922 yards and 23 touchdown passes . Three of his top targets, Javarius Green, Malachi Addison and A.J. Adams, are all averaging right at 100 receiving yards per game.

Next game: at North Gaston (3-3), Oct. 6

6. Rolesville (5-1)

Previous: 6. Last week: Defeated Wakefield 58-0

Braden Atkinson threw for 301 yards and five touchdowns in last week's shutout win against Wakefield and now has 19 TD passes for the season.

Next game: at Millbrook (5-1), Oct. 6

7. Dudley (6-0)

Previous: 7. Last week: Defeated Smith 77-6

The Panthers continue to roll behind their high-octane offense and a defense that has allowed just 41 points through six games. Andrew Attmore has thrown for 1,394 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Next game: at Northeast Guilford (5-1), Oct. 7

8. Cleveland (6-0)

Previous 8. Last week: defeated Fuquay-Varina 47-0

The Rams have won each of their last four games with shutouts

Next game: vs. Willow Spring (2-4), Oct. 6

9. West Charlotte (6-0)

Previous: 9. Last week: defeated Hopewell 56-20

Should be a fun match-up this week for the Lions against Hough. Two strong defenses and the Huskies have won five straight after a season-opening loss.

Next game: at Hough (5-1), Oct. 6

10. Clinton (6-0)

Previous: 10. Last week: defeated West Bladen 71-13

The Dark Horses have scored 297 points through six games fueled by running backs Josiah McLaurin and Josiah Robinson, who have combined for 1,218 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Red Springs (3-3), Oct. 6

11. Mount Airy (7-0)

Previous: 11. Last week: defeated East Wilkes 42-0

The Bears have allowed just 22 points in seven games this season and have recorded five shutouts in their seven wins.

Next game: vs. South Stokes (1-6), Oct. 6

12. Seventy-First (6-0)

Previous: 12. Last week: defeated Cape Fear 12-7

The Falcons had a nail-biter last week but pulled through with an outstanding effort from quarterback DeAndre Nance, who threw for 137 yards and a touchdown and ran for 119 and a score.

Next game: vs. Britt (3-3), Oct. 6

13. Salisbury (7-0)

Previous: 13. Last week: defeated South Davidson 56-6

The Hornets' defense continues to sting and has allowed just 31 points in their seven wins. Running back Jamal Rule has 1,417 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground and one receiving touchdown.

Next game: at East Davidson (2-4), Oct. 6

14. Hough (5-1)

Previous: 14. Last week: defeated West Mecklenburg 51-0

Five straight wins for the Huskies since their season-opening loss to Byrnes (SC). Big Queen City 4A/3A match-up this week against West Charlotte.

Next game: vs. West Charlotte (6-0), Oct. 6

15. Kings Mountain (6-0)

Previous: 15. Last week: defeated Forestview 49-7

Running backs Robert Kendrick and Josiah Hill are both averaging more than 70 rushing yards per game and have combined for 14 touchdowns.

Next game: at South Point (3-3), Oct. 6

16. Davie County (5-1)

Previous: 16. Last week: defeated Reagan 54-41

The War Eagles keep rolling after their fifth straight win last week. Quarterback Ty Miller and running back Markel Summers fuel and explosive offense that has scored at least 31 points in every game.

Next game: at Mount Tabor (2-4), Oct. 6

17. East Forsyth (5-1)

Previous: 17. Last week: defeated Mount Tabor 21-20

The Eagles needed an 80-yard drive in the final minute to avoid an upset against Mount Tabor. Quarterback Bryce Baker connected with Jalen Caldwell for a 23-yard TD reception with five seconds left. The Central Piedmont 4-A Conference race is heating up.

Next game: vs. Parkland (4-2), Oct. 6

18. Tarboro (5-0)

Previous: 18. Last week: defeated Bertie 49-6

The Vikings' three-pronged rushing attack has combined to score 22 touchdowns in their five wins, with Kamerin McDowell Moore (10 rushing touchdowns) and Mason Satterfield (seven rushing touchdowns) leading the charge.

Next game: vs. Perquimans (5-0), Oct. 6

19. Pinecrest (6-0)

Previous: 19. Last week: defeated Southern Lee 49-7

As dynamic as the offense has been behind Zymire Spencer, the defense has allowed an average of 11 points per game.

Next game: vs. Lee County (4-2), Oct. 6

20. Hickory (6-0)

Previous: 21. Last week: defeated St. Stephens 50-7

The Red Tornadoes are averaging 47 points per game behind quarterback Brady Stober (1,142 passing yards, 16 touchdwons) and running back Isaiah Lackey (536 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns)

Next game: vs. North Iredell (3-3), Oct. 6

21. West Forsyth (5-1)

Previous: 22. Last week: defeated Glenn 46-13

Caman Chaplin ran wild again last week and is averaging 188.2 rushing yards per game and has scored 16 touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Reagan (1-5), Oct. 6

22. Mooresville (6-0)

Previous: 24. Last week: defeated Providence 42-0

Sophomore quarterback Brody Norman continues to settle into the role and has 904 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Next game: vs. South Iredell (2-4), Oct. 6

23. Watauga (6-0)

Previous: 25. Last week: defeated South Caldwell 49-7

Maddox Greene, Everett Gryder and Jackson Pryor fuel the Pioneers' charge, which is averaging 42 points per game.

Next game: vs. Alexander Central (3-3), Oct. 6

24. Reidsville (5-1)

Previous: 22. Last week: defeated McMichael 34-18

The Rams have been battling several injuries to key players most of the season. Once everyone gets healthy again, watch out.

Next game: at West Stokes (5-2), Oct. 6

25. Lake Norman (6-0)

Previous: not ranked. Last week: defeated West Cabarrus 26-23

Running backs Trae Sechrest (482 rushing yards, six touchdowns) and Mozes Morris (396 rushing yards, five touchdowns) lead the way for the Wildcats.

Next game: vs. Hickory Ridge (2-5), Oct. 6