Coaches carry friendly rivalry into Panthers’ prep classic

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Independence High football coach D.J. McFadden and Myers Park coach Chris James share the podium Tuesday at a press conference announcing the Keep Pounding Classic doubleheader on Aug. 22 at Bank of America Stadium.

Myers Park High football coach Chris James visualized what his players should expect to experience during the Keep Pounding High School Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 22.

The season-opening doubleheader will feature the Mustangs against Independence at 4 p.m. and Providence Day-Weddington at 8 p.m.

“Very appreciative to the Panthers organization for this opportunity for our program, for our community,” James said during Tuesday’s press conference. “I think our kids have worked really hard for this particular opportunity.”

James can relate. As a prep player in Georgia, James twice participated in the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The life experience – “everything ... from the bus ride over to the first snap” – is what he appreciated then and now.

“Having an opportunity to play in an NFL stadium,” James said. “To be able to do that and go through the whole game-day experience of arriving at the stadium ... walking into the locker room ... coming out for warm-ups.

“A lot of our guys have inspirations to play in the NFL, but have never touched an NFL field before, so it’s special.”

James’ reminiscing paused long enough to turn back into a coach still attempting to put his stamp on the program.

“Now, that being said,” James said, “our job is to play the football game.”

Last year’s inaugural game between Rock Hill Northwestern and Providence Day drew nearly 12,000 fans. Independence is coming off a second straight 11-win campaign and a trip to the NC 4A quarterfinals. Myers Park captured the 4A SoMeck conference championship last season.

The matchup was borne out of friendship.

“They’ve got some talent,” Patriots coach D.J. McFadden said. “(With James) being a good friend of mine, I’ve kept my eye on him.”

James, sitting next to McFadden, quipped: “I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t watched film already.”

Between laughs in the Panthers’ team auditorium, McFadden admitted: “I’m watching.”

In the nightcap, Providence Day faces Weddington in a premier matchup.

Providence Day was nationally ranked in 2023 and captured its third consecutive NCISAA state championship. Weddington’s Warriors have four state titles in 10 seasons.

The Warriors’ defense will be led by four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., the son of former Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis and the No. 82 overall player nationally, according to 247Sports.com. The younger

Davis reportedly will visit Clemson on March 9. He also has offers from Auburn, Penn State, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, North Carolina State, USC, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Miami, among others.

The elder Davis wore a Weddington T-shirt and was an honorary captain during the ceremonial coin flip to determine uniform preferences. The Chargers won the toss and will wear all red. Myers Park will wear all white.

The younger Davis said he’s eager to follow in his father’s footsteps at Bank of America Stadium and recalled watching Panthers’ pre-game warmups when he was “five or six years old.”

“It’s really a blessing,” he said. “It brings back a lot of memories from when I was younger. Of course, maybe, I want to play here one day, in another uniform.”

‘I can’t wait to see their faces’

With James rebuilding Myers Park’s program, he was asked what it was like to sit on stage with Providence Day coach Chad Grier, Weddington coach Andy Capone and McFadden.

“Very cool,” he said, turning his head in both directions. “It’s what you dream of when you get into this profession. Me, being a young coach, you look up to them, but at the same point, try to beat them, too.

“Hats off to all these guys up here.

“The landscape of high school football, if it’s represented by these three and myself. It’s going in the right direction.”

No stranger to playing in big games, McFadden, the former two-time state champion at Independence, said he also could imagine what the players will experience in their season-opening showcase.

“I can’t wait to see their faces when the buses pull up,” McFadden said. “Give them an opportunity to walk the field. I already know they are going to be big-eyed, googly-eyed. Hopefully, when we go back in, we can reset that.  

“It’s going to be exciting. A great opportunity. I’m glad the Carolina Panthers thought of us and put us in this game. We look forward to it.”

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