Which are the best high school football teams in North Carolina? Check our rankings
With North Carolina expanding to eight classifications this fall, The Charlotte Observer and News & Observer of Raleigh are expanding their statewide rankings.
But instead of ranking 10 teams in four classes, now eight teams will be ranked in eight classes.
The statewide rankings are compiled by longtime N.C. football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Observer’s Talking Preps’ streaming high school football show.
CLASS 8A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | West Charlotte | 13-2 |
| 2. | Hough | 12-2 |
| 3. | Rolesville | 14-2 |
| 4. | Mallard Creek | 10-3 |
| 5. | Millbrook | 11-2 |
| 6. | Jordan | 10-4 |
| 7. | Hoggard | 12-2 |
| 8. | West Forsyth | 8-4 |
CLASS 7A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Grimsley | 16-0 |
| 2. | Weddington | 13-1 |
| 3. | Cardinal Gibbons | 12-2 |
| 4. | Richmond Senior | 10-3 |
| 5. | Independence | 10-2 |
| 6. | Clayton | 10-2 |
| 7. | Mooresville | 11-2 |
| 8. | East Forsyth | 13-1 |
CLASS 6A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Seventy-First | 15-1 |
| 2. | Ashbrook | 10-3 |
| 3. | Mount Tabor | 8-3 |
| 4. | Northern Nash | 10-1 |
| 5. | Sun Valley | 9-3 |
| 6. | JH Rose | 5-9 |
| 7. | Terry Sanford | 9-3 |
| 8. | Scotland County | 6-7 |
CLASS 5A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Crest | 10-3 |
| 2. | Hickory | 14-1 |
| 3. | Monroe | 15-0 |
| 4. | JM Robinson | 12-1 |
| 5. | Oak Grove | 10-2 |
| 6. | East Lincoln | 7-4 |
| 7. | Forest Hills | 10-4 |
| 8. | Havelock | 12-2 |
CLASS 4A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Reidsville | 11-1 |
| 2. | Brevard | 11-3 |
| 3. | Maiden | 8-4 |
| 4. | East Duplin | 6-6 |
| 5. | Burns | 8-4 |
| 6. | Bandys | 7-4 |
| 7. | West Craven | 6-7 |
| 8. | Mount Pleasant | 9-3 |
CLASS 3A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Northeastern | 15-1 |
| 2. | Shelby | 11-3 |
| 3. | Mount Airy | 13-1 |
| 4. | Kinston | 9-5 |
| 5. | James Kenan | 12-2 |
| 6. | East Rutherford | 7-4 |
| 7. | Lincolnton | 6-5 |
| 8. | Whiteville | 13-2 |
CLASS 2A
| Rk | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Tarboro | 14-1 |
| 2. | Murphy | 12-2 |
| 3. | Starmount | 11-2 |
| 4. | Community School of Davidson | 9-4 |
| 5. | East Wilkes | 10-3 |
| 6. | Corvian Community | 14-1 |
| 7. | South Stanly | 6-5 |
| 8. | North Duplin | 10-1 |
CLASS 1A
| Rk. | School | 2024 record |
| 1. | Robbinsville | 7-7 |
| 2. | Wilson Prep | 12-2 |
| 3. | Northside | 8-4 |
| 4. | KIPP Pride | 7-5 |
| 5. | Thomas Jefferson | 3-8 |
| 6. | Bonnie Cone | 0-9 |
| 7. | Andrews | 4-6 |
| 8. | Southeast Halifax | 4-7 |
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer