Ranking Gastonia, Shelby high school football's top teams ahead of Week 11

Here is the USA Today Network’s high school footbal power rankings in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties, following play on Oct. 23, 2026:1. Crest (8-1, 5-0 Big South 5A/6A)Previous: 1Last week: shut out Ashbrook, 38-0The word: The Crest defense was its typical dominant self Oct. 23 against Ashbrook, holding an offense previously averaging 378 yards and 34.6 points per game to 102 total yards and no points. Coach Mark Barnes still believes the Charger offense can be better, particularly following a pattern of slow starts to games this fall.Up next: vs. Kings MountainCHARGER WRECKING CREW: How Crest football stifled Ashbrook, set up showdown with county rivalWEEK 11 HONOR ROLL: Gastonia, Shelby area Week 10 high school football honor roll2. Shelby (8-1, 7-0 Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A)Previous: 2Last week: defeated Bessemer City, 55-6The word: Shelby made light work of Bessemer City in its tune-up for a de-facto Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A title clash Oct. 30 at rival Burns. Shelby won its seventh consecutive game, with the Golden Lions holding three opponents during the stretch to seven points or less.Up next: at Burns3. South Point (9-1, 5-1 Big South 5A/6A)Previous: 3Last week: beat Forestview, 35-6The word: South Point finished its regular season on a high note, tallying 409 yards — 320 on the ground — in a dominant win over Forestview. With his 224-yard, four-touchdown effort, running back Kaveaun Pless surpassed 1,500 rushing yards for a second season in a row, in addition to setting a new single-season high for touchdowns (26).Up next: To be determined (NCHSAA 5A playoffs)4. Kings Mountain (7-2, 4-1 Big South 5A/6A)Previous: 4Last week: shut out Hunter Huss, 53-0The word: Following a disappointing loss to South Point the previous week, seven Kings Mountain players scored touchdowns in a rout of Hunter Huss. All three phases got involved, the Mountaineer defense and special teams supplementing the effort through multiple turnovers, an Xavier Hutchens punt return and a Cyrus Jones field goal.Up next: at Crest5. Burns (7-2, 7-0 Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A)Previous: 6Last week: beat Highland Tech, 48-0The word: Burns didn’t settle on a particular mode of scoring in its win over Highland Tech. The Bulldogs returned a punt, a blocked punt and an interception for touchdowns, in addition to rushing TDs from Max Davis, Chris Dawkins and Kolton Pryor. Burns looks to end an 11-game losing skid to Cleveland County opponents when it hosts rival Shelby in Week 11. Up next: vs. Shelby6. Stuart Cramer (7-2, 5-2 Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A)Previous: 7Last week: beat Cherryville, 42-14The word: Camden Stillwell threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns, with the Storm also rushing for 175 yards and three TDs in a win over Cherryville. Cramer can add a historic footnote to the season with a Week 11 win over rival East Gaston, the Storm looking to set a new program record with its 16th win over a two-year stretch. Cramer won 15 games between the 2016-17 seasons, as well as 2017-18 seasons.Up next: vs. East Gaston7. East Lincoln (9-1, 7-1 Western Foothills 4A/5A)Previous: 5Last week: defeated Maiden, 71-35The word: For the second time in as many seasons, East Lincoln caps its regular season with nine wins. The Mustang offense remains one of the state’s most prolific, scoring a season-high 71 points against Maiden. However, the East Lincoln defense remains leaky, allowing 35 points or more in three of its last four games. Such needs fixing should the Mustangs hope to make a deep playoff run.Up next: To be determined (NCHSAA 5A playoffs)8. Lincolnton (6-3, 4-3 Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A)Previous: Not rankedLast week: IdleThe word: Lincolnton boasts one of the area’s top offenses, scoring 44.1 points per game this fall. What the Wolves do not have in vast supply are victories over teams with a winning record. Through nine games, Lincolnton has only two wins that fit the bill, knocking off Cherryville and East Gaston earlier this season.Up next: vs. West LincolnThis article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Ranking Gastonia, Shelby high school football's top teams ahead of Week 11