Providence Day and Grimsley continue to hold down the top two spots in this week's poll, as they have done all season.
Conference games are bringing out the best in local rivalries as we hurtle towards October and the postseason, which isn't far away.
Didn't we just kick off the regular season?
Previous: 1. Last game: Defeated Christ School 59-21
The Chargers have scored no fewer than 42 points in each of its five wins and put up a season-high 59 in last week's win, another runaway. Michigan-bound quarterback Jaydn Davis has thrown for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Next game: vs. North Raleigh Christian (3-2), Sept. 29
Previous: 2. Last game: Defeated Northwest Guilford 48-14
The Whirlies keep cruising along and may have already locked up the Metro 4A Conference title with their win against the Vikings last week. Their next five opponents, all conference match ups, have a combined eight wins.
Next game: vs. Western Guilford (1-4), Sept. 293-2)
Previous: 3. Last game: Defeated Providence 49-6
The Bulldogs won their fifth straight game in impressive fashion again behind a strong performance from running back Jayden Williams, who ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Butler seems to have found its footing after a season-opening loss at Rolesville.
Next game: at East Mecklenburg (1-5), Sept. 29
Previous: 5. Last game: Defeated Dutch Fork (SC) 17-14
The Warriors traveled to South Carolina last week and came away with a hard-fought win against the reigning 5-A state champions. A bye this week will help them gear up for their remaining slate of conference games.
Next game: at Porter Ridge (4-1), Oct. 6
Previous: 6. Last game: Defeated Stuart Cramer 56-0
The Chargers tick back up a spot after last week's dominant performance that produced two milestones--Coach Jim Sosebee won his 100th career game and quarterback Ny'Tavious Huskey became the school's all-time leader for passing yards.
Next game: vs. South Point (3-2), Sept. 29
Previous: 8. Last game: Defeated Athens Drive 43-7
The Rams are rounding into form behind running back Devon Thomas (924 rush yards, 13 touchdowns) and a defense that has allowed an average of 13 points per game in its last three wins.
Next game: at Wakefield (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 7. Last game: Defeated Atkins 56-14
The Panthers defense allowed the most points it has all season in last week's dominant performance. The offense hasn't scored fewer than 40 points in any of its five wins. That's a healthy combination.
Next game: vs. Smith (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 9. Last game: Defeated South Garner 35-0
The Rams defense is firing on all cylinders and hasn't allowed a point in the last three games and had a 12-sack performance in last week's win.
Next game: vs. Fuquay-Varina (1-4), Sept. 29
Previous: 10. Last game: Defeated West Mecklenburg 42-8
The Lions have beaten some great teams in their five wins and continue to be mentioned as one of the teams to beat in the 3A ranks. The fun part for fans is that Crest (No.5), Dudley (No. 7) and West Charlotte are all in the West.
Next game: at Hopewell (3-2), Sept. 29
Previous: 11. Last game: Defeated Princeton 40-14
The Dark Horses continue to roll through the season without much of a test yet. Quarterback Nydarion Blackwell erupted for 247 passing yards and four touchdowns last week.
Next game: at West Bladen (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 12. Last game: Defeated Starmount 47-15
The Bears rolled to another win last week against previously unbeaten Starmount, which did manage to score the most points this season against the Bears' defense.
The Bears' rushing attack has been as spectacular as the defense behind seniors Tyler Mason (697 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Caleb Reid (401 yards, six touchdowns) and sophomore Taeshon Martin (396 yards, four touchdowns).
Next game: at East Wilkes (4-1), Sept. 29
Previous: 13. Last game: Defeated Gray's Creek 55-7
The Falcons have allowed a little more than eight points per game and are averaging more than 40. Quarterback Deandre Nance (581 passing, 554 rushing) leads the potent attack along with two-way threat Donovan Frederick (539 rushing yards) and a team-leading 10.2 tackles per game. Sophomore running back Jayson Franklin is also putting up solid numbers (503 rushing yards, four touchdowns).
Next game: vs. Cape Fear (4-1), Sept. 29
Previous: 14. Last game: Defeated West Davidson 42-0
The Hornets have allowed just 25 points in their six wins. Jamal Rule leads a balanced offensive attack with 1,186 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Next game: vs. South Davidson (3-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 16. Last game: Defeated Chambers 19-13
The Huskies picked up their fourth straight win after last week's slugfest with Chambers. The defense hasn't allowed more than 17 points in the last four games and kicker Nolan Hauser continues to increase his national record for career fields goals with four more last week, including a 53-yarder.
Next game: at West Mecklenburg (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 17. Last game: Defeated North Gaston 42-0
The Mountaineers posted their second straight shutout win last week and haven't allowed more than 17 points this season.
Next game: vs. Forestview (1-4), Sept. 29
Previous: Not ranked. Last game: Defeated East Forsyth 41-28
The War Eagles enter the Power 25 this week following last week's big Central Piedmont 4-A Conference win against league stalwart East Forsyth. Quarterback Ty Miller threw for 321 yards and three scores and Markel Summers had 247 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. The War Eagles defense held East scoreless for most of the second half before a late touchdown.
Next game: at Reagan (1-4), Sept. 29
Previous: 4. Last game: Lost to Davie County 41-28
The Eagles led 21-20 at halftime and then couldn't make stops in the second half against a balanced Davie offense. The 41 points allowed was the most for the program since the 2019 season.
Next game: vs. Mount Tabor (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 19. Last game: Defeated Southwest Edgecombe 35-20.
The Vikings' three-pronged rushing attack has combined to score 18 touchdowns in their four wins, with Kamerin McDowell Moore (nine rushing touchdowns) and Mason Satterfield (six rushing touchdowns) leading the charge.
Next game: Vs. Bertie Sept. 29
Previous: 20. Last game: Defeated Richmond Senior 20-12
Zymire Spencer is averaging 123 rushing yards per game and has scored 12 touchdowns and Jadin Baptist is averaging nine tackles per game. The Fighting Scots are averaging more than 34 points per game as they head into the meat of their conference schedule.
Next game: vs. Southern Lee (3-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 21. Last game: Defeated Western Alamance 28-14
Tyrek Samuel (99.8 rushing yards per game, 11 touchdowns) and Joshua Murray (88.2 rushing yards per game, six touchdowns) continue to key the Eagles' offense.
Next game: at Williams (4-2), Sept. 29
Previous: 22. Last game: Defeated North Lincoln 43-14
Isaiah Lackey is averaging 107 rushing yards per game and leads the team with 12 touchdowns. Jamien Little is averaging 85.8 receiving yards and has seven touchdowns and quarterback Brady Stober has thrown for 1,142 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Next game: at St. Stephens (0-5), Sept. 29
Previous: 25. Last game: Defeated Parkland 56-9
The Titans made short work of Parkland last week, building a big lead in the first quarter behind running back Caman Chaplin, who finished with 253 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Next game: vs. Glenn (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: 24. Last game: Last game: Defeated North Forsyth 28-7
Kendre Harrison (410 receiving yards, four touchdowns) and Cam'Ron Jones (451 receiving yards, four touchdowns) continue to be the top targets for Al Lee (1,075 passing yards, 14 touchdowns). Watch out for the Rams in the 2-A ranks when they get fully healthy.
Next game: vs. McMichael (4-2), Sept. 29
Previous: Not ranked. Last game: Defeated Hickory Ridge 42-35
The Blue Devils have a balanced offensive attack with three running backs with more than 200 yards and two receivers with more than 200 yards behind sophomore quarterback Brody Norman, who has thrown for 703 yards and nine touchdowns.
Next game: vs. Providence (2-3), Sept. 29
Previous: Not ranked. Last game: Defeated North Davidson 56-14
The Pioneers crack the Power 25 for the first time this season behind their offense, which is scoring more than 40 points per game.
Next game: vs. South Caldwell, Sept. 29
