The latest North Carolina high school football state rankings for October 19, 2025, show a clear division between the established elite and a volatile lower half. While the top 14 teams all secured victories to maintain their positions, significant upsets and dominant performances led to the debut of three new teams in the Top 25.
Grimsley, Providence Day, and Hough continue to lead the pack with undefeated records, solidifying their status as the state's premier programs. However, movement in the bottom half, including key wins by Independence and Hickory, has reshaped the landscape as teams head into the later part of the season.
Key Takeaways
- The top 14 ranked teams in North Carolina remained unchanged after all secured wins in the latest week of play.
- Grimsley (8-0), Providence Day (8-0), and Hough (8-0) continue to hold the top three spots, respectively.
- Three new teams have entered the rankings: No. 21 Northern Guilford, No. 22 Reidsville, and No. 23 Stuart Cramer.
- Significant upsets caused former No. 15 Mallard Creek and No. 22 Lincolnton to fall out of the Top 25.
- A major upcoming matchup features No. 11 Ashbrook taking on No. 16 Crest in a critical contest.
Unwavering Dominance at the Top
Consistency has been the theme for North Carolina's top-tier high school football teams. The first 14 spots in the state poll saw no changes this week, as each team successfully defended its ranking with a victory. This stability underscores the power gap that has emerged during the season.
No. 1 Grimsley (8-0) continued its commanding run with a 48-14 victory over Page. The Whirlies have been a force on both sides of the ball and will face a test against Dudley next.
Similarly, No. 2 Providence Day (8-0) showcased its defensive strength, shutting out Charlotte Latin 41-0. The team is now preparing for an important road game against Charlotte Christian.
No. 3 Hough (8-0) also maintained its perfect record, defeating South Mecklenburg 42-10. The Huskies' next game is a highly anticipated matchup against No. 13 Myers Park, which could have significant implications for the rankings.
A Pattern of Consistency
The lack of movement among the top 14 teams is a testament to their consistent performance throughout the 2025 season. Teams like No. 4 Cleveland (8-0), No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons (7-1), and No. 6 Weddington (8-1) have all navigated their schedules without major stumbles, creating a solid wall at the top of the state rankings.
Shakeup in the Lower Half
While the top was quiet, the bottom half of the Top 25 was a hotbed of activity. Several key matchups led to significant shifts, including some ranked teams falling out of the poll entirely.
One of the week's biggest results came from Independence (6-2), which entered the week ranked No. 23. The Patriots delivered a stunning 35-0 shutout against then-No. 15 Mallard Creek. This dominant performance vaulted Independence up to No. 19 and knocked Mallard Creek out of the Top 25.
Another pivotal game saw Hickory (8-1), previously No. 19, edge out then-No. 17 East Lincoln in a close 31-28 contest. The victory pushed Hickory up to No. 17, while East Lincoln dropped to No. 24, barely holding on to a spot in the rankings.
Welcome to the Top 25
Three teams made their debut in the state rankings this week, capitalizing on strong performances and the losses of other ranked teams. Their entry highlights the depth of competition across North Carolina.
Earning Their Spot
Stuart Cramer's entry into the rankings at No. 23 was particularly impressive. The team defeated then-No. 22 Lincolnton 44-21, directly displacing a ranked opponent to claim its position in the Top 25.
The new teams in the October 19 poll are:
- No. 21 Northern Guilford (7-1): Entered the rankings after a decisive 56-7 win over Southern Guilford.
- No. 22 Reidsville (7-2): Earned its spot with a 49-0 shutout of Bartlett Yancey.
- No. 23 Stuart Cramer (6-2): Joined the poll after its key victory over Lincolnton.
These teams will now face the challenge of defending their new rankings against tough upcoming opponents.
Full North Carolina Top 25 Rankings
Here is the complete list of the North Carolina high school football Top 25 state rankings as of October 19, 2025.
- Grimsley (8-0) - Prev: 1 - Defeated Page 48-14.
- Providence Day (8-0) - Prev: 2 - Defeated Charlotte Latin 41-0.
- Hough (8-0) - Prev: 3 - Defeated South Mecklenburg 42-10.
- Cleveland (8-0) - Prev: 4 - Defeated Southeast Raleigh 28-10.
- Cardinal Gibbons (7-1) - Prev: 5 - Defeated Middle Creek 40-14.
- Weddington (8-1) - Prev: 6 - Defeated Porter Ridge 42-0.
- Jacksonville (6-0) - Prev: 7 - Defeated South Central 28-7.
- Hoggard (8-0) - Prev: 8 - Defeated Laney 28-14.
- Tarboro (8-0) - Prev: 9 - Defeated Beddingfield 55-0.
- Seventy-First (6-2) - Prev: 10 - Won by forfeit over E.E. Smith.
- Ashbrook (8-0) - Prev: 11 - Defeated Forestview 27-0.
- West Charlotte (6-2) - Prev: 12 - Defeated Butler 21-0.
- Myers Park (7-1) - Prev: 13 - Defeated West Mecklenburg 42-0.
- Watauga (8-0) - Prev: 14 - Defeated Alexander Central 42-20.
- Jordan (8-0) - Prev: 16 - Defeated Panther Creek 35-6.
- Crest (7-1) - Prev: 18 - Defeated North Gaston 76-0.
- Hickory (8-1) - Prev: 19 - Defeated East Lincoln 31-28.
- Millbrook (8-0) - Prev: 20 - Defeated Enloe 49-0.
- Independence (6-2) - Prev: 23 - Defeated Mallard Creek 35-0.
- Reagan (7-1) - Prev: 24 - Defeated Parkland 51-0.
- Northern Guilford (7-1) - Prev: NR - Defeated Southern Guilford 56-7.
- Reidsville (7-2) - Prev: NR - Defeated Bartlett Yancey 49-0.
- Stuart Cramer (6-2) - Prev: NR - Defeated Lincolnton 44-21.
- East Lincoln (7-1) - Prev: 17 - Lost to Hickory 31-28.
- Freedom (7-1) - Prev: 25 - Defeated South Caldwell 56-35.
As the regular season winds down, upcoming games like Hough versus Myers Park and Ashbrook versus Crest are set to have a major impact on the final rankings before the playoffs begin.
