The wait is almost over. High school football returns Friday in North Carolina , with a host of intriguing matchups for teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
Before kickoff, let’s rank the area’s top 10 teams.
Shelby tops the first Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star power poll with the Golden Lions coming off of an 11-win season and a run to the NCHSAA 2A West final. For most area teams, though, it’s an opportunity to answer burning questions: Can Crest overcome massive personnel losses to repeat as Big South 3A champion? How does Burns replace Cleveland County all-time leading passer Ben Mauney? Can either North Lincoln or East Lincoln supplant reigning 3A state champ Hickory in Western Foothills 3A?
Soon, those questions will be answered. For now, though, here’s how area teams rank going into Week 1:
WHO WINS BIG SOUTH 3A?: Gastonia, Shelby high school football 2024: Big South 3A top players, predictions
PREVIEWING SPC 1A/2A: Gastonia, Shelby high school football 2024: Southern Piedmont top players, predictions
WHAT TEAM WILL EMERGE?: Lincoln County, Mountain Island Charter football team-by-team previews, bold predictions
1. Shelby
2023 season: 11-4; fell to Reidsville in NCHSAA 2A West final
Any team returning a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,500-yard rusher is certain to draw attention. Shelby returns just that in 2024, its starting backfield of quarterback Lan Farmer and running back Tristan Tate in the fold for another run at an NCHSAA 2A crown. The Golden Lions may experience a few growing pains, though, as promising young talent assume key roles against a daunting early season schedule.
Games of interest: vs. A.C. Reynolds (Aug. 30); at Crest (Sept. 6); at Burns (Nov. 1)
2. East Lincoln
2023 season: 8-4; lost to West Henderson in NCHSAA 3A second round
East Lincoln has won eight games or more in four of the last five seasons, the lone exception being an abbreviated spring 2021 campaign when they went 5-2. The Mustangs are a good bet to do it again, led by an offense brimming with potential. Running back Chris Daley and wideout Jackson Beam are back for their senior seasons, with junior quarterback Grant Lawless again under center.
Games of interest: at Lincolnton (Sept. 6); vs. Hickory (Sept. 20); at Statesville (Sept. 27); vs. North Lincoln (Nov. 1)
3. Crest
2023 season: 13-1; lost to Dudley in NCHSAA 3A West semifinal round
An offseason of change has offered the Chargers a clean slate under alum and former assistant Greg Lloyd. Crest hopes to offset losses on offense through a strong rushing attack led by Aiden Carson. The Chargers should be significantly improved on defense, particularly in the secondary with two-year starters Lyrik Pettis and D’Various Surratt back, along with senior defensive back Tank Ruff.
Games of interest: vs. Shelby (Sept. 6); vs. Ashbrook (Sept. 20); at South Point (Oct. 4); vs. Kings Mountain (Nov. 1)
4. North Lincoln
2023 season: 8-4; lost to Hickory in NCHSAA 3A second round
The Knights’ roster features 26 seniors, 15 of whom are starters from an 8-win 2023 campaign, including top tackler Ryan Bassani (189 tackles, 19 for a loss). Quarterback Eli Sipe, as well as running backs Landon Agee and Shannon Wingate, spearhead a vaunted Knight rushing attack. Kicker Jake Dillingham is also an asset in the battle for field position.
Games of interest: vs. West Lincoln (Aug. 23); vs. Statesville (Sept. 20); at Hickory (Sept. 27); at East Lincoln (Nov. 1)
5. South Point
2023 season: 6-5; lost to Statesville in NCHSAA 3A first round
A young Red Raider squad took its lumps in 2023, a six-win season ending with a premature exit in Round 1 of the 3A state playoffs. South Point looks for a return to form, starting with quarterback Patrick Blee, running back Chyance Ford and an experienced offensive line. The Red Raiders’ last league championship was in 2017.
Games of interest: vs. Hunter Huss (Sept. 27); vs. Crest (Oct. 4); at Kings Mountain (Oct. 11); at Ashbrook (Oct. 18)
6. Kings Mountain
2023 season: 10-2; lost to A.C. Reynolds in NCHSAA 3A second round
Games of interest: at Shelby (Aug. 23); vs. Burns (Sept. 6); vs. South Point (Oct. 11); at Crest (Nov. 1)
7. Burns
2023 season: 8-4; lost to Bunker Hill in NCHSAA 2A second round
Games of interest: at Crest (Aug. 30); at Kings Mountain (Sept. 6); at East Gaston (Oct. 18); vs. Shelby (Nov. 1)
8. West Lincoln
2023 season: 9-3; lost to Monroe in NCHSAA 2A second round
Games of interest: at North Lincoln (Aug. 23); at Maiden (Sept. 27); vs. Bunker Hill (Oct. 4); at Lincolnton (Nov. 1)
9. Mountain Island Charter
2023 season: 8-4; lost to Robbinsville in NCHSAA 1A second round
Games of interest: at. Pine Lake Prep (Sept. 20); vs. Community School of Davidson (Sept. 27); vs. Christ the King (Oct. 11); at Bishop McGuinness (Oct. 18);
10. Ashbrook
2023 season: 4-7; lost to Oak Grove in NCHSAA 3A first round.
Games of interest: vs. Crest (Sept. 15); vs. South Point (Oct. 18); at Kings Mountain (Oct. 25); vs. Hunter Huss (Nov. 1)
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Ranking the top high school football teams in Gastonia, Shelby area ahead of 2024 season
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