The high school football season in North Carolina kicks off next week with 206 games scheduled for Aug. 18-20. After going 16-0 and winning the program's first state title last season,
Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh) debuts at No. 1 in this year's preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
The Crusaders notched a 14-2 win over two-time defending state champions
Chambers (Charlotte) in the Class 4A state championship game last season. A stifling defense held Chambers to 114 yards on 38 plays in the title contest, holding the Cougars to their lowest scoring total since being shut out by
Mallard Creek (Charlotte) on Oct. 18, 2013.
Coming in at No. 2 is
Hough (Cornelius), who fell to Chambers 35-21 in the Class 4A state semifinals last season. The Huskies will again be led by Class of 2023 North Carolina pledge
Tad Hudson, who completed 176 of 313 passes for 2,601 yards for 33 total touchdowns versus seven interceptions in 2021.
Along with the top two teams in the preseason rankings,
Rolesville is another team to keep an eye on as the Rams are headlined by the top prospect in the Tar Heel State and the No. 48 overall prospect in the Class of 2023,
Noah Rogers. The Ohio State commit hauled in 70 receptions for 1,432 yards and 22 touchdowns at wide receiver last season.
Read on for a complete look at North Carolina's preseason top 25 for 2022.
Ohio State pledge and No. 6 overall wide receiver prospect nationally, Noah Rogers is the player to watch in the Tar Heel State this season.
Photo: Kristy Shaefer
