Changing places: Hough new No. 1 in Magnificent Seven 

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Hough High defensive backs Jonah Holloway (12), Drew Johnson (28) and Jackson Heat (3) celebrate during the Huskies' 14-10 win against Rock Hill South Pointe at the Keep Pounding Classic Aug. 22, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium. Hough supplanted West Charlotte atop the Magnificent Seven rankings.

There’s change at the top after one week of football for the Magnificent Seven.

Hough High supplants West Charlotte at No. 1 in the rankings after the Huskies took down Rock Hill South Pointe in the Keep Pounding Classic. Hough, which opened the season second in the rankings, swapped positions with West Charlotte, which lost to Greensboro Grimsley 28-27 in overtime in the KPC’s nightcap.

This week’s slate of games could result in another change at the top with Hough and No. 4 Independence squaring off in Mint Hill. West Charlotte, the only ranked team with a loss, has another regional clash, this time against Monroe.

This week’s Magnificent Seven, with each team’s overall record and previous week’s rank in parentheses.

1. Hough (1-0, second). The Huskies flexed their defensive muscle in a 14-10 win against Rock Hill South Pointe in the Keep Pounding Classic to get off to a good start. Another challenge looms with a trip to Independence, where the Patriots believe they should be in the conversation as Mecklenburg County’s top squad.

2. West Charlotte (0-1, first) A failed two-point conversion in overtime cost the Lions against Greensboro Grimsley in the most thrilling game in Keep Pounding Classic History.  Still, not much of a slide going into their road game at Monroe.

3. Mallard Creek (1-0, third). The Mavericks’ 36-21 win against Rolesville was quite impressive – maybe the best among M7 squads. Next up: off to Virginia to play powerhouse Warwick.

4. Independence (1-0, fourth). The Patriots make up half of what’s bound to be the week’s best mano-a-mano scrap against top-ranked Hough. Mint Hill will be jumping Friday with No. 1 on the line.

5. Charlotte Catholic (1-0, fifth). The Cougars, as usual, took care of business against neighborhood rival South Mecklenburg. Perhaps Charlotte Christian will pose more of a challenge.

6. Palisades (1-0, sixth). You can play only what’s in front of you, and the Pumas did that in blasting Berry Academy 35-2. Next up is a road trip to Olympic. 

7. Butler (1-0, seventh). Welcome back from retirement, Brian Hales. The Bulldogs coach made a triumphant return to the sidelines with a 32-14 win against Olympic, but now it’s time to travel with Corvian Community waiting.

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