In the 4A classification, defending champion Weddington claims the top spot, followed closely by Butler and Grimsley. The Warriors from Weddington are poised to repeat, building on their recent successes and adding additional power through new players on the roster. Butler and Grimsley, perennial powerhouses, are expected to provide fierce competition for the Warriors throughout the season.

Notable entries in the 4A rankings include Independence at number 5, a program with a storied history in North Carolina high school football. East Forsyth and Cardinal Gibbons, ranked 7th and 8th respectively, are also teams to watch, known for their state titles in recent years.

4A Top 15

1. Weddington

2. Butler

3. Grimsley

4. Hough

5. Independence

6. Rolesville

7. East Forsyth

8. Cardinal Gibbons

9. Cleveland

10. Hoggard

11. Mallard Creek

12. Chambers

13. Porter Ridge

14. Myers Park

15. Watauga

Moving to the 3A classification, defending champion Hickory leads the pack, with Seventy-First and Crest rounding out the top three. With much of the roster returning, the Tornadoes are primed for another standout season. Dudley, sitting at number 4, is another program with a strong football tradition that could challenge for the top spot as the season progresses.

The 3A rankings also feature some intriguing teams like West Henderson and AC Reynolds at 5th and 6th, respectively. These mountain region schools could shake up the rankings as the season unfolds.

3A Top 15

1. Hickory

2. Seventy-First

3. Crest

4. Dudley

5. West Henderson

6. AC Reynolds

7. Robinson

8. North Lincoln

9. West Charlotte

10. Havelock

11. Northern Nash

12. Southern Alamance

13. Jacksonville

14. Williams

15. Northwest Cabarrus

In the 2A classification, the Reidsville Rams claim the number one position, followed by Monroe and Forest Hills. Reidsville’s dominance in recent years makes them a favorite to maintain their top ranking. However, traditional powerhouses like Salisbury and Shelby, ranked 4th and 5th, are sure to provide stiff competition.

The 2A rankings also include some programs on the rise, such as Bunker Hill and Burns at 7th and 8th. These teams could be poised for breakout seasons that catapult them up the rankings.

2A Top 15

1. Reidsville

2. Monroe

3. Forest Hills

4. Salisbury

5. Shelby

6. Clinton

7. Bunker Hill

8. Burns

9. Randleman

10. Northeastern

11. West Lincoln

12. Brevard

13. Lincolnton

14. Whiteville

15. CS Davidson

Finally, in the 1A classification, Mount Airy stands atop the rankings, with Eastern Randolph and Tarboro close behind. Even with a new coaching staff, Mount Airy’s returning roster is setting high expectations for the Granite Bears this season. Tarboro, a consistent force in 1A football and last year’s runner-up, will be looking to climb from their 3rd place preseason ranking.

The 1A rankings also feature some intriguing small-school programs like Robbinsville and Swain County at 4th and 5th. These mountain schools have a history of punching above their weight and could make significant moves in the rankings.

1A Top 15

1. Mount Airy

2. Eastern Randolph

3. Tarboro

4. Robbinsville

5. Swain County

6. North Rowan

7. Mountain Heritage

8. Thomasville

9. Murphy

10. West Columbus

11. Hayesville

12. Wilson Prep

13. Starmount

14. East Bladen

15. Draughn

As with any preseason rankings, these are based on a mix of expectations and roster retention. The true test will come when teams take the field this fall. Fans can expect intense rivalries, upset victories, and emerging stars as the season unfolds across all four classifications.

Carolina Gridiron’s rankings provide a starting point for discussions and debates among high school football enthusiasts across the state. As teams begin their seasons this week, these rankings will serve as motivation for some and a target for others.

The diversity of schools represented in these rankings showcases the depth and quality of high school football across North Carolina. From large urban schools to small rural programs, the passion for football runs deep in the Old North State.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on these top-ranked teams to see if they can live up to their preseason billing. But in high school football, anything can happen, and that’s what makes the upcoming season so exciting for players, coaches, and fans alike.

In a week filled with thrilling high school football action, the Week 10 Carolina Gridiron rankings for North Carolina high school football are officially in, offering a comprehensive look at the top teams in each classification. This week’s rankings include both familiar faces and notable newcomers who have made impressive strides in the quest for gridiron glory.

4A Classification: The 4A classification continues to showcase the dominance of Grimsley, who remains the undisputed leader with an unblemished 8-0 record. In Week 9, Grimsley asserted its authority by defeating Southwest Guilford 49-6. Not far behind, Butler (8-1) secured their spot at second place, winning against Charlotte Catholic 24-21. Weddington (7-1) remained in the third spot with a convincing victory against #14 Sun Valley, finishing with a score of 42-3. Meanwhile, Hough (7-1) secured the fourth place after a remarkable win against #9 Mallard Creek, finalizing the game at 30-6. Rolesville (7-1) rounded out the top five, dominating Knightdale 67-0. In a list that contains several undefeated teams, Mooresville (8-0) ranked sixth, after defeating West Cabarrus with a score of 42-3. Lake Norman (8-0), the only other undefeated team in the 4A classification, maintained their perfect record and ranked 14th after a 27-10 victory over Cox Mill.

3A Classification: Crest (8-0) continued their undefeated streak and stood tall as the top team in the 3A classification. In Week 9, they secured their spot with a resounding win against Forestview (42-7). Dudley (8-0) followed closely, claiming the second spot after a victorious clash with Rockingham (49-7). Kings Mountain (8-0) also maintained their perfect record and positioned themselves at the third spot by defeating Cramer with a score of 51-3. Seventy-First (8-0) and Northern Nash (8-0) rounded up the top five teams in the 3A classification, maintaining their unbeaten status with impressive Week 9 victories. Cabarrus County rivals Robinson (8-0) and Northwest Cabarrus (8-0) round out the top ten and will face off this Friday night. This week’s rankings also welcomed Oak Grove, who claimed the 15th spot.

2A Classification: In the 2A classification, Clinton (8-0) remains the team to beat, securing the top spot after a commanding win against Midway (54-0). Northeastern (8-0) is hot on their heels at the second position, having defeated Manteo 67-0 in Week 9. Salisbury (9-0) continued their unbeaten run and maintained the third position with a triumph over Lexington (44-13). East Duplin (8-0) and Monroe (7-1) rounded up the top five teams, each boasting impressive records. This week's rankings showcased Bunker Hill (8-0) as a standout performer, claiming the eighth spot after winning against Maiden (49-9). In contrast, East Gaston (7-1) slipped after a loss to Burns, moving from seventh to twelfth.

1A Classification: The 1A classification brought forth some impressive performances. Mount Airy (8-0) remains undefeated and firmly held the top position, continuing to display their prowess. Swain (8-0) also maintained their undefeated record, securing the third position with a win against #10 Murphy (37-13). Mountain Heritage (6-2) jumped into the top ten with an impressive win against #8 Mitchell (28-14). West Columbus (7-1) held onto the 12th position after a win against #15 East Bladen (24-8). Mitchell (6-2) dropped five spots after their loss to Mountain Heritage, and North Moore made their first appearance in the rankings this week.

Complete Week 10 Rankings:

4A Classification:

1. Grimsley
2. Butler
3. Weddington
4. Hough
5. Rolesville
6. Mooresville
7. Cleveland
8. Chambers
9. East Forsyth
10. Cardinal Gibbons
11. Hoggard
12. Watauga
13. Clayton
14. Lake Norman
15. Independence

3A Classification:

1. Crest
2. Dudley
3. Kings Mountain
4. Seventy-First
5. Northern Nash
6. West Charlotte
7. Havelock
8. Hickory
9. Robinson
10. Northwest Cabarrus
11. Eastern Alamance
12. West Henderson
13. Eastern Guilford
14. Southern Alamance
15. Oak Grove

2A Classification:

1. Clinton
2. Northeastern
3. Salisbury
4. East Duplin
5. Monroe
6. Reidsville
7. Burns
8. Bunker Hill
9. Forest Hills
10. Randleman
11. Shelby
12. East Gaston
13. Nash Central
14. West Lincoln
15. Community School of Davidson

1A Classification:

1. Mount Airy
2. Tarboro
3. Swain
4. Robbinsville
5. Eastern Randolph
6. Draughn
7. North Rowan
8. Starmount
9. Murphy
10. Mountain Heritage
11. Thomasville
12. West Columbus
13. Mitchell
14. Hayesville
15. North Moore

As high school football in North Carolina continues to heat up, these rankings serve as a testament to the talent and dedication displayed by these young athletes. With undefeated teams and remarkable performances, it's clear that the excitement on the gridiron is far from over. Stay tuned for more thrilling matchups as the regular season wraps up.

As high school football season in North Carolina rages on, the Week 9 Carolina Gridiron Top 15 rankings have been revealed, showcasing the finest teams across all four classifications. This week's rankings bring new insights, with some notable changes and newcomers making waves in the competitive landscape.

4A Classification: In the 4A classification, Grimsley maintains its top position with an impressive 7-0 record. However, there have been a few noteworthy shifts since Week 8. Notably, Lake Norman and Sun Valley have entered the Top 15 with perfect 7-0 records. The rankings also saw Mallard Creek holding their ground despite a 4-3 record, reflecting their resilience and competitive spirit.

1. Grimsley (7-0)
2. Butler (7-1)
3. Weddington (6-1)
4. Hough (6-1)
5. Rolesville (6-1)
6. Mooresville (7-0)
7. Cleveland (7-0)
8. Chambers (5-2)
9. Mallard Creek (4-3)
10. East Forsyth (6-1)
11. Hoggard (6-1)
12. Cardinal Gibbons (5-2)
13. Watauga (7-0)
14. Sun Valley (7-0)
15. Lake Norman (7-0)

3A Classification: The 3A classification continues to showcase a fiercely competitive field. Notably, West Charlotte maintained a top-six spot after battling 4A power Hough last week. In Week 9, Havelock jumped all the way into the top ten after an impressive win over Jacksonville last Friday.

1. Crest (7-0)
2. Dudley (7-0)
3. Kings Mountain (7-0)
4. Seventy-First (7-0)
5. Northern Nash (7-0)
6. West Charlotte (6-1)
7. Havelock (7-0)
8. Hickory (7-0)
9. Eastern Alamance (6-1)
10. Eastern Guilford (6-1)
11. Robinson (7-0)
12. Northwest Cabarrus (6-0)
13. Scotland (7-0)
14. Southern Alamance (7-1)
15. West Henderson (8-0)

2A Classification: The 2A classification stayed mostly intact from last week with only Nash Central dropping a few spots after falling to 3A top five squad Northern Nash last week. The top four teams remain undefeated and are joined by three additional unblemished teams in this week’s 2A rankings.

1. Clinton (7-0)
2. Northeastern (7-0)
3. Salisbury (8-0)
4. East Duplin (7-0)
5. Monroe (6-1)
6. Reidsville (6-1)
7. East Gaston (7-0)
8. Bunker Hill (7-0)
9. Burns (5-2)
10. Forest Hills (6-1)
11. Randleman (7-0)
12. Shelby (4-3)
13. Nash Central (6-2)
14. West Lincoln (6-1)
15. Community School of Davidson (7-1)

1A Classification: In the 1A classification, Mount Airy leads the pack with an unblemished 8-0 record, while Tarboro maintains its strong position at second with a 6-0 record. East Bladen shook off a 1-3 start to reel off four straight wins to enter the rankings at #15 this week. Friday night’s game between the Eagles and West Columbus has the potential to shake up the 1A rankings.

1. Mount Airy (8-0)
2. Tarboro (6-0)
3. Swain (7-0)
4. Robbinsville (6-1)
5. Eastern Randolph (6-1)
6. Draughn (7-1)
7. North Rowan (6-1)
8. Mitchell (6-1)
9. Starmount (6-1)
10. Murphy (5-2)
11. Mountain Heritage (5-2)
12. West Columbus (6-1)
13. Thomasville (5-3)
14. Perquimans (5-1)
15. East Bladen (5-3)

The Week 9 Carolina Gridiron Top 15 rankings demonstrate the depth of talent in high school football across North Carolina. As the regular season closes and conference races tighten, expect more thrilling action and fierce competition as teams vie for the top spots in their respective classifications. Keep up with all the action on CarolinaGridiron.com and use the hashtag #CGTop15 on your favorite social media channels.

In a thrilling Week 8 update of the Carolina Gridiron rankings, football fans across North Carolina witnessed some significant shifts, with undefeated teams continuing to dominate, and others making impressive leaps in the standings.

4A Classification: In the 4A Classification, the top spot remains firmly in the hands of Grimsley (6-0). Butler (6-1) held onto their second-place ranking, but Weddington (5-1) jumped into the third spot, followed closely by Hough (5-1) and Rolesville (5-1).

3A Classification: Crest (6-0) continues to assert their dominance in the 3A Classification, retaining their top position. Dudley (6-0) and Kings Mountain (6-0) held steady at second and third place, respectively. Northern Nash (6-0) and Seventy-First (6-0) also maintained their positions. Scotland (7-0) is slowly creeping its way up the ranking while West Henderson (7-0) entered the rankings at the 15th spot. Seven teams in the 3A Top 15 remain undefeated.

2A Classification: In the 2A Classification, Clinton (6-0) continues to lead the pack, followed by Northeastern (6-0) and Salisbury (7-0). East Duplin (6-0) and Monroe (5-1) round out the top five. Bunker Hill (6-0) and East Gaston (6-0) both made impressive leaps in the rankings. Meanwhile, Shelby (4-3) dropped to the 13th spot, making way for Community School of  Davidson (6-1).

1A Classification: Mount Airy (7-0) retained its stronghold on the 1A Classification, while Tarboro (5-0) and Swain (6-0) held steady at second and third place, respectively. Robbinsville (5-1) and Eastern Randolph (5-1) complete the top five. Starmount (6-1) moved up the rankings significantly while West Columbus (5-1) and Perquimans (5-0) make their debut.

Week 8 Carolina Gridiron Rankings:

4A Classification Rankings:

1. Grimsley 
2. Butler 
3. Weddington 
4. Hough 
5. Rolesville 
6. Mooresville 
7. Cleveland 
8. West Forsyth 
9. Chambers 
10. Davie 
11. Mallard Creek 
12. Cardinal Gibbons 
13. Watauga 
14. Hoggard 
15. East Forsyth 

3A Classification Rankings:

1. Crest 
2. Dudley 
3. Kings Mountain 
4. West Charlotte 
5. Northern Nash 
6. Seventy-First 
7. Scotland 
8. Hickory 
9. Eastern Guilford 
10. Eastern Alamance 
11. Northwest Cabarrus 
12. Jacksonville 
13. Robinson 
14. Southern Alamance 
15. West Henderson 

2A Classification Rankings:

1. Clinton 
2. Northeastern 
3. Salisbury 
4. East Duplin 
5. Monroe 
6. Reidsville 
7. East Gaston 
8. Bunker Hill 
9. Burns 
10. Forest Hills 
11. Nash Central 
12. Randleman 
13. Shelby 
14. West Lincoln 
15. CS Davidson 

1A Classification Rankings:

1. Mount Airy 
2. Tarboro 
3. Swain 
4. Robbinsville 
5. Eastern Randolph 
6. Murphy 
7. Draughn 
8. North Rowan 
9. Starmount 
10. Mitchell 
11. Mountain Heritage 
12. West Columbus 
13. Perquimans 
14. Thomasville 
15. Hayesville 

SBN Black College Football Poll

STATS FCS Poll

Congratulations to the following FAIR Rankings Champions

4A: Scotland
3A: South Point
2A: Franklin
1A: Plymouth