North Carolina High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 15

The latest edition of the North Carolina high school football top 25 is up, highlighting the best squads after another round of games. Here’s how Massey ranked the best teams from the Tarheel State.

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

1. William Amos Hough Huskies

The Huskies’ 28-21 victory over Mooresville marked the third time this year in which William Amos Hough won a game by one possession. More importantly, they improved to 4-0 and can earn their fifth straight win early in the 2025 North Carolina high school football season against New Bern on September 19.

2. Providence Day School Chargers

The Chargers have four victories in as many games after a 39-0 shutout against Butler. Zaid Lott threw for 160 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Ethan Dempsey had 111 receiving yards and two scores. Running back Aidan Gallos finished with 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Justin Abanquah tallied 12 tackles, including two sacks, and Jace Goodwin had three sacks. Providence Day School can improve to 5-0 with a win over Georgia’s Rabun Gap-Nacoochee on September 19.

3. Grimsley Whirlies

Grimsley is coming off a 48-21 victory over East Forsyth. The defending Class 4A state champions have won 32 of their last 33 games, and they can improve on that brilliant run by defeating Southwest Guilford on September 19.

4. Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders

The Crusaders completed their fourth straight victory by defeating Southeast Raleigh 30-22. Cardinal Gibbons punished the Bulldogs with 194 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Noah Terry rushed for two touchdowns, while Wake Forest commit Gannon Jones had one. Likewise, Xavier Hasan added an 86-yard kickoff return touchdown. The Crusaders will continue their 2025 North Carolina high school football schedule against Mallard Creek on September 19.

5. Weddington Warriors

After losing to Myers Park, the Warriors won their second consecutive game against Crest. Weddington was already leading by 18 points by halftime, 21-3, and they maintained that advantage to improve to 3-1. To continue their season, the Warriors will try to extend their winning streak to three games by defeating Charlotte Catholic on the road on September 19.

6. Mallard Creek Mavericks

The Mavericks bounced back from a 50-point loss to Grayson with a seven-point victory against Myers Park. That victory improved Mallard Creek’s record to 3-1, and they can earn another victory by defeating Cardinal Gibbons on September 19.

7. Cleveland Rams

The Rams remain perfect after their first four games in the 2025 North Carolina high school football season. In their 46-6 victory over New Bern, Owen Hulbert threw for 150 yards and four touchdowns, while Porter Bennett finished with 90 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Jaylen King is Cleveland’s MVP on defense, finishing with 14 tackles, including seven tackles for losses and four sacks. The Rams can earn their fifth victory in as many games by beating South Garner on the road on September 26.

8. West Charlotte Lions

While the Lions have split their first four games, they earned a victory over Providence in their last match. Jamouri Nichols had a superb game, finishing with 314 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, and four touchdowns (three passing). Donte Nicholson tallied 145 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Rakim Finch had 91 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Davion Jones and the West Charlotte defense earned nine tackles for losses, three sacks, and three interceptions. The Lions’ 2025 season continues with a home game against West Mecklenburg on September 19.

9. Millbrook Wildcats

The Wildcats improved to 3-0 after a 48-7 victory over Wake Forest. Bryson Gray threw for 258 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Malachi Thomas had 124 receiving yards and a TD. Brilison McCullers and Santonis Wright each had two rushing touchdowns. Millbrook can capture their fourth win in 2025 against Athens Drive on September 19.

10. Independence Patriots

A 26-7 victory over Lake Norman improved the Patriots’ record to 3-1. Jared Street had 218 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Travis Hill collected 27 carries for 115 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Zakai Milton had 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Independence defense had five tackles for losses and three sacks. The Patriots can earn their fourth victory in five games by defeating Palisades on September 19.

11. Myers Park
12. Hoggard
13. Rolesville
14. East Forsyth
15. Mooresville
16. Charlotte Catholic
17. West Forsyth
18. Crest
19. Garner
20. South Point
21. Clayton
22. Southeast Raleigh
23. Jordan
24. New Bern
25. Richmond Senior