Two NC powers make big jumps in Carolinas Top 25 football poll
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mooresville entered the Carolinas Top 25 at No. 19 after beating East Forsyth.
- Providence Day claimed the No. 1 spot after a win over nationally-ranked Rabun Gap.
- The rankings are compiled by Chris Hughes and cover top teams in NC and SC.
Two N.C. powerhouses made big jumps in the Carolinas Top 25 ranking of the top high school football teams in North and South Carolina.
The poll is sponsored by McClatchy media properties in the two states and is compiled by longtime high school football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Charlotte Observer’s Talking Preps weekly streaming show.
West Charlotte and Millbrook High of Raleigh made big jumps into the top 10 this week.
Millbrook (5-0) jumped from No. 15 to No. 7, after beating Rolesville 28-7. Millbrook is outscoring opponents 210-42.
West Charlotte — which a lost a pair of high-profile overtime games to No. 3 Grimsley and No. 4 South Pointe — jumped seven spots to No. 13.
The Lions beat Mallard Creek, 32-9, on the road last week. Mallard Creek fell from No. 7 to No. 9.
There is one new team in the poll this week. Columbia’s Ridge View High (3-2) joins the rankings. After a 1-2 start — that included one-score losses to No. 8 Northwestern and No. 11 Dutch Fork — the Blazers have won their past two games by decisive margins, including a 46-8 win at Westwood last week.
Carolinas Top 25
Rk., School (hometown), Rec, Prvs.
1. Providence Day (NC, Charlotte) 6-0, 1
2. Hough (NC, Cornelius) 6-0, 2
3. Grimsley (NC, Greensboro) 5-0, 4
4. South Pointe (SC, Rock Hill) 4-1, 3
5. Irmo (SC, Irmo) 5-0, 5
6. West Charlotte (NC, Charlotte) 4-2, 13
7. Millbrook (NC, Raleigh), 5-0, 15
8. Northwestern (SC, Rock Hill) 5-1, 6
9. Mallard Creek (NC, Charlotte) 4-2, 7
10. South Florence (SC, Florence) 4-1, 8
11. Dutch Fork (SC, Irmo) 3-1, 9
12. Myers Park (NC, Charlotte) 4-1, 10
13. Weddington (NC, Weddington) 5-1, 11
14. Independence (NC, Mint HIll) 4-1, 12
15. Cleveland (NC, Clayton) 5-0, 14
16. Summerville (SC, Summerville) 4-1, 16
17. James Island (SC, Charleston) 5-0, 17
18. Dorman (SC, Roebuck) 4-1, 23
19. Mooresville (NC, Mooresville) 3-2, 19
20. Cardinal Gibbons (NC, Raleigh) 4-1, 20
21. Hoggard (NC, Wilmington) 5-0, 25
22. Greenwood (SC, Greenwood) 4-1, 24
23. Ridge View (SC, Columbia) 3-2, NR
24. Byrnes (SC, Duncan) 3-2, 21
25. Belton-Honea Path (SC, Honea Path) 5-0, 22
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Two NC powers make big jumps in Carolinas Top 25 football poll."
