What Gastonia, Shelby high school football teams have the toughest schedule in 2024?

The 2024 high school football season is swiftly approaching, with schedules for teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties recently finalized.

The Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star took a look at schedules for each team to see who has the tri-county’s toughest schedule, as well as those with a more favorable road ahead. Results are based on the combined record of teams' opponents from the 2023 season.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Here are 2024 high school football schedule for Gastonia, Shelby area schools

MILESTONE ACHIEVED: What Gastonia, Shelby area football records fell and milestones achieved in Week 11?

Area’s toughest schedules

1. Stuart Cramer

Opponents’ 2023 record: 67-47 (.588)

Nine of the Storm’s 10 opponents this fall qualified for the 2023 NCHSAA playoffs, with four of their first five weeks against teams finishing with seven wins or more (East Lincoln, CHASE, East Gaston and Crest).

2. (tie) Ashbrook

Opponents’ 2023 record: 64-50 (.561)

Three of the Green Wave’s first four games are on the road, making trips to Forest Hills, West Mecklenburg and Crest. It ends the season with emotional matchups with South Point, Kings Mountain and rival Hunter Huss.

2. (tie) Lincolnton

Opponents’ 2023 record: 64-50 (.561)

Lincolnton begins the season with perennial powerhouses South Point, North Lincoln and East Lincoln before starting Catawba Valley 2A play against league champion Bunker Hill, which finished 13-1. The Wolves wrap things up at Maiden and against rival West Lincoln.

4. Forestview

Opponents’ 2023 record: 61-53 (.535)

The Jaguars begin the season with trips to Burns and East Lincoln, each of which finished 8-4 in 2023. October will be key as well, Forestview matching up with Kings Mountain, Hunter Huss, Crest and South Point in consecutive weeks.

5. North Lincoln

Opponents’ 2023 record: 62-54 (.534)

Six of North Lincoln’s 2024 opponents won six games or more, four of those hailing from Western Foothills 3A, including reigning NCHSAA state champion Hickory which finished 16-0 last fall.

6. Shelby

Opponents’ 2023 record: 61-55 (.525)

The Golden Lions begin the 2024 campaign with matchups against Kings Mountain, A.C. Reynolds and Crest, teams which combined for 32 wins last fall. A collision with rival Burns awaits at season's end.

7. Hunter Huss

Opponents’ 2023 record: 59-54 (.522)

Key opponents: at Draughn (Aug. 23); at Kings Mountain (Sept. 20); at South Point (Sept. 27); vs. Crest (Oct. 25)

8. Crest

Opponents’ 2023 record: 59-57 (.509)

Key opponents: vs. Burns (Aug. 30); vs. Shelby (Sept. 6); vs. Charlotte Catholic (Sept. 13); vs. Kings Mountain (Nov. 1)

9. Burns

Opponents’ 2023 record: 59-58 (.504)

Key opponents: at Crest (Aug. 30); at Kings Mountain (Sept. 6); vs. Shelby (Nov. 1)

10. South Point

Opponents’ 2023 record: 58-57 (.504)

Key opponents: vs. Charlotte Christian (Aug. 30); vs. Hunter Huss (Sept. 27); vs. Crest (Oct. 4); at Kings Mountain (Oct. 11)

11. Kings Mountain

Opponents’ 2023 record: 58-58 (.500)

Key opponents: at Shelby (Aug. 23); vs. Cox Mill (Aug. 30); vs. South Point (Oct. 11); at Crest (Nov. 1)

12. Cherryville

Opponents’ 2023 record: 56-59 (.487)

Key opponents: at West Lincoln (Aug. 30); vs. Highland Tech (Oct. 11); at Thomas Jefferson (Oct. 18); vs. Bessemer City (Nov. 1)

13. North Gaston

Opponents’ 2023 record: 55-58 (.487)

Key opponents: vs. East Gaston (Aug. 23); at Forestview (Sept. 20); vs. Ashbrook (Oct. 4); vs. Hunter Huss (Oct. 18)

Area’s most favorable schedules

14. East Lincoln

Opponents’ 2023 record: 50-63 (.442)

The Mustangs will face five teams which finished 2023 with losing records, including Stuart Cramer and Foard who were both winless. East Lincoln’s toughest games are in September, taking on Lincolnton, reigning NCHSAA 3A champion Hickory and Statesville.

15. West Lincoln

Opponents’ 2023 record: 49-63 (.438)

The Rebels’ non-conference slate includes Cherryville and Foard, which combined to go 2-19 a season ago. Competition cranks up once Catawba Valley 2A play begins, though, facing Bandys, Maiden and Bunker Hill in consecutive weeks.

16. Mountain Island Charter

Opponents’ 2023 record: 48-63 (.432)

Mountain Island Charter’s schedule features two teams which finished 2023 with winning records in Pine Lake Prep and Community School of Davidson, while two more went 6-6 (Bishop McGuinness, Corvian Community Charter).

17. Highland Tech

Opponents’ 2023 record: 39-54 (.419)

Highland Tech’s toughest games are to come in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A competition, its non-conference slate includes two teams in their first year of varsity football, in addition to Palmetto Christian (South Carolina) and Union Academy squads which combined to go 2-19 last fall.

18. Bessemer City

Opponents’ 2023 record: 47-67 (.412)

The Yellow Jackets’ first six games are against teams which finished the 2023 season with losing records, though five qualified for postseason play. October is important, though, as it takes on Burns, East Gaston and Shelby.

19. East Gaston

Opponents’ 2023 record: 39-74 (.345)

The Warriors do not face a team which finished 2023 with a winning record until mid-October, when it takes on Burns and Shelby in consecutive weeks.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: What Gastonia, Shelby high school football teams have the toughest schedule in 2024?