Independence High Patriots open at No. 1 in rankings

HERBERT L. WHITE | THE CHARLOTTE POST

The West Charlotte High Lions are third in the preseason Magnificent Seven football rankings, trailing only Independence and Butler. West Charlotte is one of two 3A schools in the rankings of Mecklenburg County's top teams. No. 6 Charlotte Catholic is the other

Independence High starts the season as the No. 1 team in the Magnificent Seven rankings.

The Patriots, who advanced to the North Carolina 4A West final last year, are primed to make it to the 2024 title game under coach D.J. McFadden. They’ll get a good opening day test in Myers Park, an up-and-coming program in the Keep Pounding Classic.

To make the Magnificent Seven, teams must be in Mecklenburg County and play in a public-school conference. And because of the impact of NCHSAA reclassification, a pair of 3A squads in West Charlotte and Charlotte Catholic are included.

So, with no further ado, here’s the first Magnificent Seven for 2024, with the 2023 record in parentheses and opening day opponent:

1. Independence (11-4). The Patriots return most of the starting lineup from a team that advanced to the third round of the 4A tournament in 2023. Opens Aug. 22 against Myers Park in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium.

2. Butler (12-2). Glenwood Ferebee, who coached Chambers to three 4A title games (with a pair of wins), is the Bulldogs’ new coach. Quarterback Zach Lawrence, who passed for 24 touchdowns last year, is one of 14 returning starters. Opens Aug. 23 at home against Rolesville.

3. West Charlotte (9-3). Sam Greiner has the Lions on the verge of contending for the 3A state title. That won’t be easy, but West Charlotte is packed with talent and could make a run at the overall Queen City 3A/4A title. Opening Aug. 23 at home against Palisades.

4. Hough (11-2). With 13 starters returning, the Huskies have a potent squad that’s prepared to duke it out with Chambers, Mallard Creek and West Charlotte atop the Queen City 3A/4A. Opening Aug. 23 against Rock Hill Northwestern at home.

5. Mallard Creek (7-5). Coach Kennedy Tinsley has been consistent and intentional in rebuilding the Mavericks over the last four years. The Creek has been overshadowed by Hough and Chambers in recent seasons, but there’s reason for optimism the Mavericks can rise to the top of the Queen City 3A/4A. Opening Aug. 24 against Prince Avenue Christian in Anderson, South Carolina.

6. Charlotte Catholic (9-4) The Cougars have a new coach in Keith Emery, who is taking Catholic back to the future by leaning heavily on the wing-T offense to run opponents into the ground. Opens Aug. 23 at home against neighborhood rival South Mecklenburg.

7. Chambers (8-4). Brandon Wiggins has the task of keeping the Cougars in the mix of a stacked Queen City 3A/4A. Opening Aug. 23 at Clover (S.C.).

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