North Carolina High School Football Top 25 Rankings (9/1/2023)

The SBLive Power 25 ahead of Week 3 games.

There are no changes in the top five team this week—Providence Day remains No. 1 Grimsley remains No. 2, Weddington is No. 3, East Forsyth is No. 4 and Crest is No. 5.

Several teams are making their debuts this week—Leesville Road, Pinecrest, East Lincoln and West Charlotte have all cracked the poll after 2-0 starts to their seasons.

Here are the rankings ahead of Week 3 games.

1) Providence Day (2-0), NCISAA

Previous rank: 1. Last week: Defeated Asheville 47-7

Quarterback and Michigan commit Jadyn Davis has thrown for 749 yards and eight touchdowns through the first two games.

The Chargers’ game on Friday night against Charlotte Catholic will put them in the National spotlight as it will air live on ESPNU. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Next game: vs. Charlotte Catholic, Sept. 1

2) Grimsley (1-0), 4A

Previous rank: 2. Last week: Defeated No. 9 Rolesville 63-34

Running back Mitchell Summers exploded for 178 rushing yards and six touchdowns in last week’s impressive win against Rolesville.

The Whirlies have so many different weapons on both ends of the field.

Friday night’s opponent, has been a worthy opponent in each of the last two seasons.

Next game: at Reagan, Sept. 1

3) Weddington (2-0), 4A

Previous rank: 3. Last week: Defeated Ardrey Kell 35-0

The Warriors have allowed just three points in the first two games of the season. Coupled with their explosive offense, expectations are high for a long playoff run.

Undefeated West Forsyth comes to town Friday night.

Next game: vs. West Forsyth, Sept. 1

4) East Forsyth (2-0), 4A

Previous rank: 4. Last week: Defeated Britt 55-0

New look but the same results for the Eagles so far this  season. The defense has allowed just seven points in two games.

Junior quarterback Bryce Baker, a UNC commit, has thrown for 530 yards and five touchdowns in two games and has a bevy of weapons around him at receiver and in the backfield.

Next game: vs. A.C. Reynolds, Sept. 1

5) Crest (2-0), 3A

Last week: No. 5. Defeated Burns 49-29

The Chargers’ offense if plugging right along, putting up 92 points through the first two weeks of the season. Quarterback Ny’Tavious Huskey has thrown for 564 yards and eight touchdowns, running back Aiden Carson has 239 rushing yards and four scores and three receivers have more than 100 yards receiving, with Malachi Addison leading the way with 278.

Next game: at Shelby Sept. 1

6) Mallard Creek (1-1), 4A

Last week: 7. Lost to Buford (Georgia) 10-7

The Mavericks jump up one spot despite losing last week. Why?

The had Buford, a top-five ranked team nationally, on the ropes before losing a tight one.

Next game: vs. Gaffney (South Carolina) Sept. 8

7) Cleveland (2-0), 4A

Last week: 8. Defeated Heritage 42-26

Jackson Byrd (583 passing yards, three touchdowns) to Zalin Ingram (297 receiving yards) is proving to be a formidable duo for the Rams.

Next game: at West Johnston Sept. 1

8) Kings Mountain (2-0), 3A

Last week: 11. Defeated Cox Mill 37-13

The Mountaineers are off to a great start under new Coach Strait Herron. A balanced offensive attack and a defense led by UNC commit Curtis Simpson, who already has recorded five sacks this season.

Next game: at Burns Sept. 1

9) Dudley (2-0)), 3A

Last week: 14. Defeated Southeast Guilford 57-0

The Panthers move up five spots from last week following a shutout win against a cross-county rival. Quarterback Andrew Attmore has thrown for 626 yards and eight touchdowns and the defense has allowed just seven points in two games.

Next game: at Hillside, Sept. 1

10) Reidsville (3-0), 2A

Last week: 12. Beat Page 31-17, Beat Rockingham Co. 28-19 (August 31)

The Rams keep rolling after posting two wins this week—they moved up their Sept. 1 game against Rockingham County to August 31 because of the threat of bad weather.

Despite injuries to key receivers Que’Shyne Flippen and Dionte Neal, quarterback Al Lee continues to flourish. Helps to have Kendre Harrison and Paul Widerman in the offense as well.

Next game: at Eastern Alamance, Sept. 8

11) Mount Airy (2-0), 1A

Last week: 15. Defeated East Surry 49-0

The Bears are showing no signs of slowing down following their 1-A state title run last season. Two shutouts in two games isn’t the worst way to start a season, and the offense is clicking as well. Mount Airy is scary good.

Next game: At Surry Central Sept. 1

12) Clinton (2-0), 2A

Last week: 17. Defeated Wallace-Rose Hill 58-22

The Dark Horses won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season after two statement wins in their first two games. Josiah McClaurin and Josiah Robinson have combined for 442 rushing yards and nine touchdowns through the first two games.

Next game: at Lumberton Sept. 1

13) Seventy-First (2-0) 3A

Last week: 16. Defeated Pine Forest 41-7

The Falcons have rushed for 685 yards and 10 touchdowns in their first two games, with sophomore Jaylin Franklin (218 rush yards, two touchdowns) and Donovan Frederick (216 rush yards, three touchdowns) leading the way. The defense has been stout as well.

Next game: vs. Hoke County Sept. 8

14) Charlotte Catholic (2-0) 4A

Last week: 18. Defeated Northern Durham 49-0

The Cougars have rolled in their first two games and put up a combined 98 points. They’ll be playing on national television Friday night against No. 1 Providence Day on ESPNU.

Next game: Sept. 1 at Providence Day

15) Mount Tabor (2-1) 4A

Last week: Defeated North Forsyth 28-6 (Aug. 25), Defeated Page 40-6 (Aug. 31)

The Spartans’ defense is getting in gear, allowing just 13 points in their last two games after surrendering 30 to No. 2 Grimsley in the season-opener.

Junior quarterback Lane Albright is also finding his groove in the offense, accounting for five touchdowns in the win against Page.

Next game: Sept. 15 at West Forsyth

16) Tarboro (2-0) 1A

Last week: 19. Defeated Hertford County 49-22

The Vikings three-headed rushing attack-- Mason Satterfield (199 rushing yards, two touchdowns), Kamerin McDowell-Moore (179 rush, four touchdowns) and Caiden Everette (142 rush, one touchdown)--has been doing most of the damage.

Next game: Sept. 1 vs. North Edgecombe

17) Salisbury (2-0) 2A

Last week: 24. Defeated Walkertown 62-6

The Hornets’ defense has allowed just six points in two games. Mike Geter (332 passing yards, six touchdowns) and Jamal Rule (345 rushing yards, five touchdowns) and Deuce Walker (10 catches, 173 yards and five touchdowns) pack the punch on offense.

Next game: Sept. 1 at East Rowan

18) Leesville Road (2-0) 4A

Last week: Not ranked. Defeated Panther Creek 49-14

The Pride is making its first appearance in the Power 25 after an impressive first two weeks. It has scored 91 points in two games with junior quarterback Deiondre Goldston (362 passing yards, five touchdowns) leading the way.

Next game: Sept. 1 at Overhills

19) Pinecrest (2-0) 4A

Last week: Not ranked. Defeated Overhills 44-20

The Patriots are also cracking the Power 25 for the first time this season. Their offense is clicking, scoring 92 points through two games. Running back Zymire Spencer has run for 365 yards and nine touchdowns.

Next game: Sept. at Middle Creek Sept. 1

20) Independence (1-1) 4A

Last week: 23. Defeated Hickory Ridge 75-49

It would appear as though the Patriots picked up their first basketball win of the season based on the score. Running back Jaylen James went for six touchdowns and the Patriots’ defense had three pick-sixes. Nice rebound after the season-opening loss against Mallard Creek.

Next game: at No. 24 West Charlotte Sept. 1

21) Cardinal Gibbons (1-1) 4A

Last week: lost 28-21 to Cardinal Gibbons (Florida)

Quarterback Whitt Newbauer (630 passing yards, six touchdowns) has been in terrific form for the Crusaders through two games. A tough loss last week in Florida.

Next game: at Richmond Senior Sept. 1

22) Rolesville (1-1) 4A

Last week: 9. Lost to No. 2 Grimsley 63-34

The biggest tumble in the Power 25 this week, dropping 13 spots. Not quite sure what to make of the Rams just yet after posting a win against No. 23 Butler in Week 1 and then a suffering a resounding loss in Week 2.

Next game: at East Wake Sept. 1

23) Butler (1-1) 4A

Last week: No. 22. Defeated Richmond Senior 50-13

The Bulldogs responded in Week 2 with a convincing win against Richmond Senior and will face another tough test this week against Langston Hughes (Georgia).

Next game: at Langston Hughes (Georgia) Sept. 1

24) East Lincoln (2-0) 3A

Last week: Not ranked. Defeated Forestview 39-8

The reigning 3-A state champions make their first appearance in the Power 25 this week. Questions about how much the Mustangs lost from their talented senior class after last season have apparently dissipated. The offense, behind sophomore quarterback Grant Lawless, has put up 96 points in two games and the defense has allowed just eight.

Next game: vs. Lincolnton, Sept. 1

25) West Charlotte (2-0) 3A

Last week: Not ranked. Defeated Monroe 43-29

The Lions make their debut in Power 25 this week after wins over Palisades and Monroe to start the season, year No. 3 in the Sam Greiner era.