High School Sports

Which 3 area prep football teams made the preseason national top 100?

By Langston Wertz Jr.
Mallard Creek Mavericks head coach Mike Palmieri, center, calls his team together prior to overtime action vs East Forsyth in Kernersville, NC on Friday, December 4, 2015. Mallard Creek and East Forsyth faced one another in N.C. 4AA Western Regional final action. Mallard Creek defeated East Forsyth 41-38.
Mallard Creek Mavericks head coach Mike Palmieri, center, calls his team together prior to overtime action vs East Forsyth in Kernersville, NC on Friday, December 4, 2015. Mallard Creek and East Forsyth faced one another in N.C. 4AA Western Regional final action. Mallard Creek defeated East Forsyth 41-38. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Three Observer-area high school football teams are ranked in the 2018 High School Football America Preseason top 100 poll.

Rock Hill South Pointe, a reigning S.C. state champion, is No 35. Mallard Creek, the 2017 N.C. 4AA runner-up, is No. 44. And Harding, the reigning N.C. 4A state champion, is No. 89.

▪ The highest ranked team from the Carolinas is Dutch Fork (SC). Dutch Fork, coached by former Independence High coach Tom Knotts, is No. 25.

Dutch Fork will begin the 2018 season in Charlotte, against Mallard Creek on Aug. 18.

▪ One area team, Charlotte Catholic, is "on the bubble." The Cougars are No. 113 overall.

Sports Pass is your ticket to Charlotte sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Charlotte area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER