The 2025 Carolina Panthers Keep Pounding High School Classic will feature a showdown between last year’s North Carolina 4A champ Grimsley and 2024 Class 3A champ West Charlotte. The will be part of a doubleheader that will be played August 22 at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL club.
Grimsley finished last season ranked No. 34 in the High School Football America 300, powered by NFL Play Football. The Whirlies will be led again by Faizon Brandon, a 5-star college football prospect, who’s given his verbal commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Brandon enters his senior season having completed over 72-percent of his passes (388-of-535) for 6,374 yards with 79 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. He’s also averaged nearly seven yards a carry running the ball during his scholastic career with 21 rushing TD’s.
West Charlotte is coming of its first state championship since 1995. The Lions finished the year ranked No. 10 in the HSFA North Carolina Top 10.
The Grimsley/West Charlotte will be the nightcap of the doubleheader.
The first game will feature Hough, a 4A state quarterfinalist last year, against South Carolina’s South Pointe. The Stallions finished 11-3 last season, reaching the AAAA state semifinals. Hough was 12-2 and ranked No. 5 in the HSFA North Carolina Top 10.
“The Carolina Panthers are proud to partner with Belk to kick off the high school football season with two exciting matchups that highlight the important role football plays in bringing communities together,” said Kristi Coleman, CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and President of the Carolina Panthers. “This year’s Keep Pounding High School Classic will be a great showcase of school spirit and competitive play, featuring four talented programs from both North and South Carolina.”
Last October, the Carolina Panthers and Belk announced a muti-year partnership that placed a particular emphasis on the Panthers community pillars, including the naming rights to the Keep Pounding High School Classic.
“Belk takes great pride in celebrating the communities we serve and the moments that bring us together,” said Don Hendricks, CEO of Belk. “This incredible event put on by the Carolina Panthers highlights the talent, determination and spirit of young athletes across our region and we are honored to be a part of it.”
North Carolina high school football will have a new look in 2025 as its expands from four classifications to eight.
Hough and West Charlotte will compete in Class 8A. Grimsley will play in 7A.
Related: See NC’s HS football realignment
General admission tickets are $8 and available now via Ticketmaster.com.
