High School Sports

Gaffney HS joins Carolinas Top 25 poll of best prep football teams in two states

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Key Takeaways

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  • 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.

Welcome Gaffney High School to The Carolinas Top 25 poll.

The Indians (5-2) have won four games in a row since a 1-2 start. That includes Friday’s 28-16 win over Byrnes High, from Duncan, S.C.

Elsewhere, there was a little shuffling among teams in the poll, though Providence Day, Hough and Grimsley remained the top teams — and all are from North 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.

Carolinas Top 25

Rk., School, State, hometown, Rec, Prvs.

1. Providence Day (NC, Charlotte) 7-0, 1

2. Hough (NC, Cornelius) 7-0, 2

3. Grimsley (NC, Greensboro) 7-0, 3

4. South Pointe (SC, Rock Hill) 5-1, 4

5. Irmo (SC, Irmo) 7-0, 5

6. West Charlotte (NC, Charlotte) 5-2, 6

7. Millbrook (NC, Raleigh) 7-0, 7

8. Northwestern (SC, Rock Hill) 7-1, 8

9. Dutch Fork (SC, Irmo) 5-1, 10

10. South Florence (SC, Florence) 5-1, 9

11. Mallard Creek (NC, Charlotte) 5-2, 11

12. Myers Park (NC, Charlotte) 6-1, 12

13. Weddington (NC, Weddington) 7-1, 13

14. Summerville (SC, Summerville) 6-1, 15

15. Cleveland (NC, Clayton) 7-0, 14

16. James Island (SC, Charleston) 6-1, 16

17. Mooresville (NC, Mooresville) 5-2, 18

18. Cardinal Gibbons (NC, Raleigh) 6-1, 19

19. Hoggard (NC, Wilmington) 7-0, 20

20. Greenwood (SC, Greenwood) 6-1, 21

21. Ridge View (SC, Columbia) 5-2, 22

22. Belton-Honea Path (SC, Honea Path) 7-0, 24

23. Oceanside Collegiate (SC, Mount Pleasant) 5-2, 25

24. Gaffney (SC, Gaffney) 5-2 NR

25. Dorman (SC, Roebuck) 5-2, 17

This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Gaffney HS joins Carolinas Top 25 poll of best prep football teams in two states."

Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer
Langston Wertz Jr. is an award-winning sports journalist who has worked at the Observer since 1988. He’s covered everything from Final Fours and NFL to video games and Britney Spears. Wertz -- a West Charlotte High and UNC grad -- is the rare person who can answer “Charlotte,” when you ask, “What city are you from.” Support my work with a digital subscription
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