North Carolina high school football rankings: Providence Day No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

By Jordan Divens Aug 20, 2024, 11:00am

Chargers look to capture fourth consecutive NCISAA Division I state title behind highly-ranked prospects David Sanders Jr. and Kendre Harrison.

The high school football season in North Carolina kicks off this week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending NCISAA Division I state champion Providence Day (Charlotte) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Chargers are favorites to capture their fourth consecutive state crown this season. Providence Day avenged their lone losses in the state championship game in each of the past two seasons.

Seniors Jaylen Himes (5-8, 180, RB), David Sanders Jr. (6-6, 290, OL, Tennessee commitment) and Braxton Winston (5-11, 165, DB, Wake Forest) along with juniors Leo Delaney (6-6, 280, OL), Kendre Harrison (6-7, 243, TE), Zaid Lott (6-4, 200, QB, North Carolina) and Gordon Sellars (6-2, 180, WR) lead the charge for Providence Day.

In addition to Providence Day, defending NCISAA state champions include Asheville in NCISAA Division II. On the NCHSAA side, defending champs include Weddington (Matthews) in Class 4A, Hickory in Class 3A, Reidsville in Class 2A and Mount Airy in Class 1A.



The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
North Carolina Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Providence Day (Charlotte), 12-1 record in 2023
2. Grimsley (Greensboro), 13-1
3. Weddington (Matthews), 14-2
4. Butler (Matthews), 12-2
5. Independence (Charlotte), 11-4
6. Hough (Cornelius), 11-2
7. Rolesville, 12-2
8. East Forsyth (Kernersville), 10-2
9. Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh), 12-3
T10. Cleveland (Clayton), 13-1
T10. Hickory, 16-0
12. Hoggard (Wilmington), 14-2
13. Seventy-First (Fayetteville), 15-1
14. Reidsville, 15-1
15. Dudley (Greensboro), 14-1
T16. Mallard Creek (Charlotte), 7-5
T16. Chambers (Charlotte), 8-4
18. Crest (Shelby), 13-1
19. West Henderson (Hendersonville), 13-1
20. Porter Ridge (Indian Trail), 9-3
21. Myers Park (Charlotte), 7-4
22. Watauga (Boone), 12-1
23. Charlotte Christian (Charlotte), 8-4
24. Mooresville, 11-1
25. Monroe, 11-2