Grimsley High School Ranks No. 17 in Preseason Poll

Greensboro, North Carolina, July 22, 2025

News Summary

Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has secured the No. 17 position in the MaxPreps preseason national poll, marking the highest ranking in the Carolinas. The reigning N.C. 4A state champions boast an impressive record of 45 wins and just one loss over the past three seasons. As the football season approaches, the Whirlies will face West Charlotte in their opener at Bank of America Stadium. Key player Faizon Brandon, recognized as the top quarterback recruit, aims to lead the team in another successful season.

Greensboro, North Carolina – As the high school football season kicks off across the Carolinas, Greensboro’s Grimsley High School is making headlines by securing the No. 17 spot in the MaxPreps preseason national poll. This ranking is the highest among teams in the Carolinas, further solidifying the Whirlies’ reputation as a formidable force in high school football.

The reigning N.C. 4A public school state football champion, Grimsley has a remarkable overall record of 45 wins and just one loss over the past three seasons. The team is set to begin its season on August 22, facing West Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers.

Among the notable players returning for Grimsley is quarterback Faizon Brandon, who has gained national attention as the No. 1 quarterback recruit and the top overall high school player in America according to 247 Sports.

Supporting the Whirlies’ strong performance, several other teams from the Carolinas have also made prominent appearances in the MaxPreps rankings. In South Carolina, Dutch Fork stands at No. 39, while North Carolina’s Weddington, Rolesville, and Northwestern are ranked No. 53, No. 65, and No. 97 respectively.

In the High School Football America preseason poll, Grimsley is listed at No. 31 among North Carolina teams, with additional rankings for others such as Providence Day at No. 61, Weddington at No. 72, and Rolesville at No. 74. Among South Carolina teams, Dutch Fork is a notable mention at No. 21, with Northwestern, Summerville, Westside, South Florence, and Irmo also making the list.

Additionally, the football landscape in North Carolina is evolving. The North Carolina Coaches Association’s clinics and East-West all-star games are currently taking place in Greensboro, while the preparation for fall sports begins with practices starting on July 30. Teams are gearing up for a season of intense competition and excitement.

In related high school sports news, several Charlotte-area players have announced their transfers, including Anthony McGill moving from Butler to Charlotte Latin and Mozes Morris from Lake Norman to West Forsyth. Other transfers include L.J. Porter (Charlotte Christian to Hough), Miles Funderburk (Providence Day to Weddington), Cody Peck (Carmel Christian to Davidson Day), and Markus Kerr (Chambers to Brewster Academy, where he will repeat his junior year).

Alongside these developments, Joseph Gripper has been appointed as the new boys’ basketball coach at East Mecklenburg, and Ed Cooke and Dusty Pflugner have been named boys’ basketball coaches at Harding High School and Lake Norman, respectively. In baseball, Todd Green has taken the head coach position at the Community School of Davidson.

The high school sports community is also preparing for future changes, as the state plans to realign high school football from four divisions to eight classes starting in the 2025 season. The growth in interest and participation has been evident, with a reported 6% increase in high school sports officials during the 2024-25 school year, according to the National Federation of High Schools.

As the season draws closer to its start date, the anticipation for exciting matchups and promising talent is higher than ever among fans, students, and communities across North Carolina and South Carolina.

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Additional Resources

• Charlotte Observer
• Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
• MyFox8
• Google Search: North Carolina high school football
• On3
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
• WFMY News 2
• Google News: Grimsley High School

Author: HERE Charlotte

The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.