Playoff games every week in Meck Power Six 7A/8A

CAMERON WILLIAMS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

West Charlotte High, the 2024 North Carolina 3A title winner, is aiming for the first 8A state title as a member of the new Meck Power Six 7A/8A.

The Meck Power Six is loaded with talented teams and championship winners.

The new conference consists of Independence, West Charlotte, Mallard Creek, Julius Chambers, Butler and North Mecklenburg. It is arguably the toughest conference in North Carolina with 17 combined state championships and rivalries that date back before the turn of the century, it promises to deliver. 

Independence (10-2 in 2024)

The Patriots have found a steady rhythm under coach D.J. McFadden, a former Independence quarterback himself who knows the program’s standard for success. Now that the Patriots are again winning with regularity, the playoffs are the next step. 

McFadden was vocal on social media the last few weeks about media preseason rankings that overlook Independence.

“There's a tier of teams that we don't get mentioned with,” he said, “and we’d like to think that consistency means a lot to us. Over the last three years, we've been pretty consistent. We are about 32-8. There's only really one other team in Charlotte that has more wins, and that's Hough. I like to think a lot of the rankings are what should be, what could be, rather than what is and what has been. And that’s kind of where I am on that.”

West Charlotte (13-2 in 2024)

The 2024 3A state champions now play in 8A, the largest classification. After the state association restructured classifications and student enrollment that fall in each one, the Lions found themselves at the top. Coach Sam Greiner knows the bulls’ eye is on his team.

“Coming off the championship, what we're saying this year is basically when you're chasing No. 1 is different than owning No. 1,” he said. “You’ve got to own being a champion. Now it's a different process chasing No. 1 rather than when you’re being chased. You’re not the one that’s hunting anymore, but you got to stay on top. So, it’s a different mindset.”

The Lions open its schedule with 2024 4A champion Greensboro Grimsley at Bank of America Stadium in the Keep Pounding Classic.

Mallard Creek (10-3 in 2024)

The Mavericks have one of, if not the toughest, non-conference schedules in the state. 

Mallard Creek opens with last year’s 4A state runner-up Rolesville. Then, the Mavericks head out of state back-to-back weeks against Warwick, which finished 10-3 last season in the 4A classification in Virginia. Then, in what is arguably the toughest game of the year on Sept. 5, the Mavericks face Grayson (Georgia), which MaxPreps has ranked in the top five in the country. Mallard Creek rounds out its non-conference with Myers Park and Cardinal Gibbons, two North Carolina title contenders. 

Mavericks coach Kennedy Tinsley is not new to brutal schedules. But in the new conference where it is going to be tough each week, he feels more than ever it is essential to challenge his team early. 

“I'm really excited about this new opportunity about the new conference and new opportunity,” Tinsley said. “We've always believed in playing the best in tough competition, and our goal is to give kids the best chance to compete against the best, so we’re excited about that with the new conference. … I feel like we can handle what we schedule. I think the kids are motivated based on what we put out there in front of them, so we put the best schedule out there, and I tell them that I’ve done everything that I possibly can to give you the best opportunity.”

Butler (4-7 in 2024)

The Bulldogs had a rough 2024 season. They scheduled tough like Butler usually does, but several games were not competitive in their first season since 2011 without longtime coach Brian Hales. 

His successor, Glenwood Ferebee, stepped aside, and Hales was ready to return after a year away. 

“It's good to be back,” Hales said. “I was actually going to be here today, either way. Just three months ago I thought I’d be over on that side [with media]. … I think with our guys this year, we have a chip on our shoulder. A lot of people will say, ‘Oh, Butler had a good run, but that’s over now.’ 

The Bulldogs have a great opportunity to prove the doubters wrong as they, too, have a tough nonconference schedule with South Carolina power Irmo and North Carolina power Providence Day scheduled. 

Chambers (5-5 in 2024)

It has been a long five years since Chambers last won a state championship. 

When coach Brandon Wiggins left after the 2024 season, it left a vacancy at what was once one of the more sought-after jobs in the city. Who better to get Chambers back to winning football games than someone who won at the highest level? Captain Munnerlyn, a former Carolina Panthers defensive back, took over the program and hopes to get things going in the right direction.

“I know a lot of people aren’t going to believe in this group, but I believe in this group,” he said. “We go to work each and every day. This group of kids has bought in since day one. Ever since I took the job, I have told them that I am going to set the standard if you’ll just follow me, and they have been trusting me with that.”

North Mecklenburg (4-6 in 2024)

The Vikings have been labeled as a basketball school for a long time, but coach Daryl Vereen believes his team can end that narrative. In a conference where teams will likely beat each other up on a weekly basis, Vereen wants no sympathy.

“Don’t feel sorry for us,” he said. “Every dog is going to have its day.” 

Vereen said the offseason has been good for rebuilding as opposed the year before when graduation and transfers posed challenges. With a handful of players returning, this is where North can start to build. 

“This offseason has been huge for us,” Vereen said. “I think we're returning maybe 14 to 15 starters, so having that game experience is always big, but last year we were very freshman- and sophomore heavy. We were really young, but this year, in the weight room, in the classroom, during chalk talks, I believe we are a much more mature team.”

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