Charlotte Schools Power Scores + Key Players To Watch

On a weekly basis, I produce a ranking I call the CMS Best To Last, which ranks the 21 schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Area School System, or CMS. This past week, these were my rankings.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Football-Focus-Weekly-22.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1894195" /></figure>   In these newly released Prep Redzone Rankings, using their algorithm, it breaks down like this:   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Football-Focus-Weekly-24.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1894586" /></figure>   There are several things to challenge here based on the differences between my rankings and the PRZ rankings.   - Mallard Creek just beat Myers Park head-to-head, so that's why I have them ranked above Myers Park in my breakdown vs. Mustangs being ranked above the Mavericks in the PRZ breakdown. - West Charlotte being #2 in my rankings and #8 in the PRZ rankings is a little tough to believe - I think the two losses the Lions have had against two state title favorites in Grimsley and South Pointe (SC) are being weighted way too heavily in the PRZ formula.   - Palisades just defeated Chambers, who is ranked #3 in the PRZ rankings, with the Pumas at #5.   - South Meck being ranked ahead of Independence here when the Patriots have played what most believe would be a much tougher overall schedule so far is a tough one to swallow.   As Prep Redzone scouts, we do not have any input into the PRZ rankings; however, they break down using the following formula to calculate the rankings:   "Power Scores are an algorithmically-generated team ranking system, accounting for the following information, in order of how much weight we assign to each metric:   • Win percentage   • Point differential   • Opponent win percentage   • Strength of schedule (opponent and opponent's opponent win %)   • Classification size   So, you see the algorithm favors a high winning percentage first and then point differential as it's two major components. So, if you have some teams that may pile up wins against lesser teams and win by big margins, it can kind of tilt the rankings their way some. I do think, though, as we get into conference play, the Prep Redzone Power Scores will get better over time, as we typically see with most algorithm-based rankings.   Key Players To Watch - Under The Radar Version   For the Top 10 teams in the Charlotte Rankings, here is one key player, who is a little under the radar, who has stood out and helped them in a big way so far in this non-conference portion of the schedule. For reference, the Top 10 used here is my own rankings, not the Prep Redzone Power Scores version.   Hough Huskies - DL [player_tooltip player_id='284088' first='Chris' last='Hilliard'] - The Huskies' defense has been the driving force to their strong start so far this season, and Chris has pushed the pocket from the interior of the defensive line consistently, along with keeping his talented teammates free at linebacker to run and make plays all over the field in the running game.   West Charlotte Lions - WR [player_tooltip player_id='1299433' first='Donte' last='Nicholson'] - The Charlotte commit has had a big start to the season offensively as the primary passing target in the Lions' offense. Expect him to play an even bigger role offensively now that [player_tooltip player_id='1157260' first='KD' last='Cotton'] announced his transfer to Weddington last week.   Mallard Creek Mavericks - LB [player_tooltip player_id='1333099' first='Askia' last='Mustafa'] - The Mavericks' defense has been strong in their 3-1 start to the season against one of the toughest schedules in the state. Askia has the full package at linebacker; he can run and tackle sideline to sideline, and effectively cover the middle of the field in the passing game.   Myers Park Mustangs - OL Cooper Helman - Cooper has helped anchor a much-improved Mustangs offensive line, which is controlling the line of scrimmage consistently in the running game. Even though they lost to Mallard Creek last week, RB Josh Falzarano had 189 rushing yards against a stout defensive team as an example of that success.   Palisades Pumas - DB [player_tooltip player_id='1751616' first='Elijah' last='Bachiller'] - The Pumas don't give up very many, if any, big plays over the top of their defense, and a big reason for that is the talents of Elijah, a rangy and athletic safety who can cover well in both Cover 2/4 and Cover 3-based shells. His versatility allows teammate [player_tooltip player_id='378949' first='Nicholas' last='Rankin'] to play a couple of different roles in the secondary.   Independence Patriots - DL [player_tooltip player_id='1615609' first='Semaj' last='Robinson'] - Semaj literally made the play of the game two weeks ago against Charlotte Christian, stopping a two-point conversion attempt that would have given the Knights a victory. He is a major part of the defense who played very well last week in a nice win over Lake Norman.   Chambers Cougars - QB [player_tooltip player_id='402307' first='Zyon' last='Hailey'] - A lot of the praise for Chambers has been for their defense so far, which has fueled their 3-1 start. However, Zyon has played very well as a dual-threat QB in the Cougars' offensive attack, and he is a major factor in how far they will go overall this season.   South Mecklenburg Sabres - QB [player_tooltip player_id='1692403' first='Carter' last='Gillis'] - After a tough loss to Charlotte Catholic in Week 1, the Sabres have rattled off three consecutive victories, the latest an overtime victory over a good Ardrey Kell team. Carter has played very well in those 3 wins, even having a 6 touchdown pass performance against Ballantyne Ridge in there. He's grown physically and become a smarter player, and his success will be a big factor the rest of the season for South Meck.   Ardrey Kell Knights - DB [player_tooltip player_id='1301268' first='Mackenzee' last='Coates'] - Coates has done a good job in coverage in all of his games so far this season - his height at 6'3 makes him an attractive player from a recruiting standpoint, and if he continues to stay consistent in coverage. I'd expect some recruiting interest to start coming his way.   Butler Bulldogs - ATH [player_tooltip player_id='826678' first='Tyler' last='Dent'] - Tyler is an important player on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs this season, and he recently committed to play college football at Elon, so congrats to him! Tyler can play some linebacker and defensive back, and he can play some skill position roles on the offensive side of the ball as well.

On a weekly basis, I produce a ranking I call the CMS Best To Last, which ranks the 21 schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Area School System, or CMS. This past week, these were my rankings.