Which are the best high school football teams in North Carolina? New rankings out
This week, along with the latest statewide rankings for North Carolina’s public schools in the N.C. High School Athletic Association, The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh release the private school rankings of the 2025 season.
After beating nationally-ranked Rabun Gap, 55-34, at home Friday, Providence Day (5-0) is No. 1, but two Charlotte private schools that have long histories of winning championships are also off to strong starts.
Charlotte Latin (5-0) is No. 2 in this week’s poll and Charlotte Country Day (4-0) is No. 5.
Country Day has not won more than four games in a season since 2019, its last winning season, when the Bucs finished 9-2.
Charlotte Latin was 8-3 last season, which was its first winning season since 2021.
Elsewhere, there are seven new teams this week in the eight public school polls and one new No. 1, as Watauga jumps up a spot in the 6A poll. The Pioneers (4-0) beat Asheville’s Erwin High, 49-14, on Friday.
The statewide polls are compiled by longtime N.C. high school football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Observer’s Talking Preps streaming show.
NCISAA
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Providence Day (5-0), NA
2. Charlotte Latin (5-0), NA
3. Charlotte Christian (1-3), NA
4. Trinity Christian (4-0), NA
5. Charlotte Country Day (4-0), NA
6. Christ School (3-2), NA
7. High Point Christian (4-0), NA
8. Cannon School (3-1), NA
CLASS 1A
Rk., School, Rec., Prvs.
1. Northside-Pinetown (5-0), 1
2. Robbinsville (3-2), 2
3. Wilson Prep (1-4), 3
4. KIPP Pride (5-0), 4
5. Southeast Halifax (4-1), 5
6. South Davidson (4-0), 7
7. Thomas Jefferson (3-1), 8
8. Sallie B. Howard (2-3), 6
NCHSAA 2A
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Tarboro (5-0), 1
2. Corvian Community (3-1), 2
3. Murphy (2-2), 3
4. Starmount (3-1), 4
5. Community School of Davidson (1-3), 5
6. Lakewood (3-2), NR
7. North Duplin (4-1), 6
8. Swain County (3-2), 7
NCHSAA 3A
Rk., School, Rec., Prvs.
1. Shelby (3-2), 1
2. Walkertown (4-1), 2
3. Northeastern (4-1), 3
4. James Kenan (3-1), 4
5. East Rutherford (3-1), 6
6. Lincolnton (4-1), 7
7. Mountain Heritage (3-1), 5
8. Hendersonville (4-1), NR
NCHSAA 4A
Rk., School, Rec., Prvs.
1. Brevard (4-0), 1
2. West Craven (4-1), 2
3. Reidsville (3-2), 3
4. Maiden (4-1), 4
5. Hibriten (3-1), 5
6. Pisgah (4-1), 6
7. East Duplin (3-2), 7
8. Bandys (2-2), 8
NCHSAA 5A
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. East Lincoln (5-0), 1
2. Crest (3-1), 2
3. South Point (3-1), 3
4. Hickory (4-1), 4
5. Forest Hills (5-0), 5
6. Southern Nash (4-1), 7
7. Jay M. Robinson (3-1), 8
8. Northside-Jacksonville (3-1), NR
NCHSAA 6A
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Watauga (4-0), 2
2. Ashbrook (5-0), 5
3. Northern Guilford (4-1), 1
4. Terry Sanford (4-1), 3
5. Seventy-First (4-1), 4
6. Northern Nash (3-1), 6
7. Jacksonville (4-0), 7
8. Statesville (5-0), NR
NCHSAA 7A
Rk, School, Rec., Prvs.
1. Grimsley (4-0), 1
2. Cleveland (4-0), 2
3. Weddington (4-1), 3
4. Independence (4-1), 5
5. Mooresville (3-2), 7
6. Cardinal Gibbons (4-1), 4
7. Reagan (4-1), NR
8. Richmond (3-2), NR
CLASS 8A
Rk., School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Hough (5-0), 1
2. Mallard Creek (4-1), 2
3. Myers Park (4-1), 3
4. West Charlotte (3-2), 4
5. Millbrook (4-0), 5
6. Hoggard (4-0), 6
7. Jordan (5-0), 7
8. Rolesville (2-2), NR
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
