Hough High opens postseason atop Magnificent Seven 

HERBERT L. WHITE | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Mallard Creek High football coach Kennedy Tinsley speaks with his team after the Mavericks' 17-7 win against Chambers on Oct. 30, 2026. Mallard Creek, which is No. 2 in the Magnificent Seven rankings, won the Meck Power Six title with the win and earned a first round bye in the North Carolina 8A playoffs.

The North Carolina 8A football postseason could also be called the Magnificent Seven invitational.

Hough High, the wire-to-wire No. 1 in The Post’s rankings, is one of seven Mecklenburg County programs in the 10-team West region bracket, and one of four teams to earn first-round byes when the playoffs start on Friday. Beyond that, Mallard Creek, fresh off a 17-7 win against Chambers to win the Meck Power Six title, moves up to second while Palisades jumps to third. 

West Charlotte bumps back into the ranks at No. 7.

This week’s rankings, with overall record and previous week’s ranking.

1. Hough (10-0, PW: No. 1). The 8A state title runs through Cornelius, no doubt about it. North Carolina’s deepest and most talented roster is experienced and ready to rack up a second straight crown. The Huskies earned a first round bye after mugging Hopewell 49-0 in the final tuneup.

2. Mallard Creek (8-2, PW: No. 3). The Mavericks fought tooth-and-nail to lock down the Meck Power Six title with a 17-7 win against rival Chambers in the regular season finale. It’s a good warmup for what’s to come in the 8A tournament where Hough casts a large shadow. First round bye.

3. Palisades (8-2, PW: No. 4). The Pumas have been impressive in a season of adversity and change that resulted in a 4-1 mark in the Southwestern 7A/8A. They knocked off East Mecklenburg 42-13 in the regular season finale and kick off the postseason at home against No. 5 Ardrey Kell in a rematch of their 21-14 win on Oct. 2.

4. Chambers (9-1, PW: No. 2). The Cougars missed out on the program’s first undefeated regular season with a 10-point loss at Mallard Creek. 

Their overall body of work was good enough to earn a first-round bye.

5. Ardrey Kell (7-3, PW: No. 5). The Knights have plenty to like about first-year coach Carter Greene, who posted a 4-1 mark in the Southwestern 7A/8A. They also get a shot at redemption against Palisades in the playoffs.

6. Myers Park (7-3, PW: No. 6). A week after dispatching South Mecklenburg 35-0 in the regular season finale, there’s a rematch at home in the 8A West bracket.

7. West Charlotte (6-4, PW: Unranked). The Lions return to the rankings with Providence’s loss to Ardrey Kell in the finale. First-year coach D.J. McFadden’s crew hosts Hoke County in the first round.

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