Top 25 North Carolina high school football rankings (9/14/2023)

Here is this week's Power 25 ahead of Week 5 games

1. Providence Day (4-0)

Previous rank: 1. Last game: Defeated Cannon School 49-7

The Chargers are showing no signs of mercy through their first four games of the season, scoring at least 42 points in all four wins behind their loaded offense. They also have a bye this week to correct any flaws they have seen so far, which doesn't appear to be many.

Next game: at Christ School, Sept. 22

2. Grimsley (3-0)

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

The Whirlies breezed through their non-conference slate thanks to their dynamic playmakers on both ends of the field. Junior quarterback Faizon Brandon has proved to be quite the dual-threat, passing for 563 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 238 and four scores in his first three starts.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Southeast Guilford

3. East Forsyth (3-0)

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

The Eagles jump up on spot because of Weddington's loss last week. Coach Todd Willert are coming off a bye week in advance of their Central Piedmont 4-A Conference Opener. The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead in their win against A.C. Reynolds on Sept. 1  and had to hold off the Rockets late.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Reagan

4. Butler (3-1)

Previous: 23. Last week: Defeated Weddington 22-15

The Bulldogs have been on a roll since a season-opening loss at Rolesville. Back-to-back wins against Langston Hughes (Georgia), one of the state's top-ranked teams, and Weddington last week shows that the Bulldogs still have plenty of bark.

Next game: Sept. 14 vs. Garinger

5. Weddington (3-1)

Previous: 3. Last week: Lost to Butler 22-15

We won't penalize the Warriors too much after losing against Butler one week ago. Weddington still has one of the teams to beat in 4-A behind Tyler Budge and Keenan Jackson.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Chapel Hill

6. Crest (3-0)

Previous: 5. Last game: Defeated Shelby 53-38

The Chargers enjoyed a bye last week and travel to Ashbrook on Sept. 15. About the only concern for Crest through its first three games is a defense that has allowed 105 points. Ny'Tavious Huskey and Co. are potent enough to put up plenty of points, however.

Next game: Sept. 15 at Ashbrook

7. Dudley (3-0)

Previous: 7. Last game: Defeated Hillside 54-8

The Panthers will open conference play this week on a roll, averaging 50-plus points per game. Andrew Attmore II has put up some impressive numbers with 821 yards and 13 touchdowns through three games.

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

8. Cleveland (3-0)

Previous: 8. Last game: Defeated West Johnston 46-0

Jackson Byrd and Tyson Stokes have been leading the Rams offense, which has scored 88 points in their last two wins.

Next game: vs. Corinth Holders, Sept. 15

9. Leesville Road (4-0)

Previous: 16. Last game: Defeated Heritage 49-7

The Pride is getting it done on both ends of the field, averaging 42 points per game and giving up just under nine.

Junior quarterback Deiondre Goldston leads a balanced offense with three receivers with at least 100 yards and two running backs with at least 150 rushing yards.

Next game: vs. Wake Forest, Sept. 15

10. Clinton (4-0)

Previous: 12. Last game: Defeated Whiteville 47-14

The Dark Horses had little trouble downing previously unbeaten Whiteville last week and look to be the team to beat in the 2-A ranks.

Josiah McLaurin and Josiah Robinson have been supplying most of the offensive punch and have combined to score 17 touchdowns through four games.

Next game: vs. Princeton, Sept. 22

11. Mount Airy (4-0)

Previous: 11. Last game: Defeated Ashe County 49-7

The Bears rolled to their fourth straight win last week against the previously undefeated Huskies, who entered the game averaging nearly 40 points per game. The good news: Ashe County scored the first points of the season against Mount Airy's defense. The reigning 1-A champs are showing no signs of slowing down on either end of the field.

Next game: at North Stokes, Sept. 15

12. Seventy-First (3-0)

Previous: 13. Last week: Defeated Hoke County 38-0

The Falcons' defense continues to be a major part of their success after their shutout win last week. They have allowed just 20 points through three games, with the three-headed rushing attack of Donovan Frederick, DeAndre Nance and Jayson Franklin, who have combined to score 12 touchdowns, leading the way on offense.

Next game: at South View, Sept. 15

13. Salisbury (4-0)

Previous: 18. Last game: Defeated Person 31-6

The Hornets continue to pile up wins behind a high-powered offense and a defense that has allowed just 19 points through three games. Looking like serious contenders in the 2-A ranks.

Next game: Sept. 15 vs. Thomasville

14. Rolesville (3-1)

Previous: 22. Last game: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons 52-32

The Rams were impressive in a big win against Gibbons last week, piling up 540 yards of offense. Running back Devon Thomas continues his strong start and has 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Next game: vs. Athens Drive, Sept. 15

15. Mount Tabor (2-1)

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

The Spartans' defense is rounding into form as they open Central Piedmont 4-A Conference play this week. After allowing 33 points in a season-opening loss to No. 2 Grimsley, the Spartans have surrendered just 12 points in their two previous games, both wins. 

Quarterback Lane Albright had a breakout performance in the win over Page, accounting for five touchdowns.

Next game: at West Forsyth, Sept. 15

16. Mallard Creek (1-2)

Previous: 6. Last game: Lost to Gaffney (South Carolina) 24-7

Two straight losses to out-of-state powerhouses doesn't adversely affect the Mavericks too much. They are still a formidable force in 4-A. Another big game this week.

Next game: vs. West Charlotte, Sept. 14

17. Kings Mountain (3-0)

Previous: 9. Last game: Defeated Burns 23-14

The Mountaineers have enjoyed their bye week coming on the heels of a tight win against Burns. The defense is still getting it done and hasn't allowed more than 17 points in their three wins.

Next game: at Huss, Sept. 15

18. Tarboro (4-0)

Previous: 17. Last game: Defeated Southwest Edgecombe 35-20.

The Vikings' three-pronged rushing attack has combined to score 18 touchdowns in their four wins, with Kamerin McDowell Moore (nine rushing touchdowns) and Mason Satterfield (six rushing touchdowns) leading the charge.

Next game: vs. Bertie, Sept. 29

19. Hough (2-1)

Previous: 14. Last game: Defeated Dutch Fork (SC) 21-17

Are the Huskies still riding the high of beating Dutch Fork (South Carolina), the reigning 5-A state champions, on Sept. 1?

Next game: at North Mecklenburg, Sept. 14

20. West Charlotte (3-0)

Previous: 20. Last game: Defeated Independence 21-20.

Can the resurgence continue for the Lions coming off a bye after their thrilling win against Independence? Another huge test this week at Mallard Creek.

Next game: at Mallard Creek, Sept. 14

21. Pinecrest (4-0)

Previous: 19. Last game: Defeated New Hanover 35-3

The Patriots continue their stellar play to start the season behind explosive running back Zymire Spencer, who has rushed for 509 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Next game: at Richmond Senior, Sept. 22

22. 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

23. Charlotte Catholic (3-1)

Previous: 25. Last game: Defeated North Mecklenburg 29-0

The Cougars move up two spots this week after rebounding with a win against North Mecklenburg. All four of quarterback Charlie Smith's touchdown passes have been to tight end Jack Larsen, a Notre Dam commit.

Next game: at Providence, Sept. 14

24. Eastern Alamance (4-0)

Previous: not ranked. Last game: Defeated Reidsville 19-14

The unbeaten Eagles break into the rankings this week after their big win against previously unbeaten Reidsville on Sept. 9, where Tyrek Samuel ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Next game: vs. Western Alamance, Sept. 22

25. Reidsville (3-1)

Previous: 10. Last game: Lost 19-14 to Eastern Alamance

The Rams couldn't get going last week in their loss at Eastern Alamance and have been fighting with some injuries to a couple of their offensive threats. Once all the pieces are healthy again, watch out for the Rams.

Next game: Sept. 15 at North Forsyth