Cornelius, North Carolina, September 19, 2025

News Summary

Hough High School continues to lead The Carolinas Top 25 high school football poll, maintaining its unbeaten record at 4-0 after a narrow victory against Mooresville. The game’s highlight was a remarkable 44-yard interception return for a touchdown by Texas recruit Samari Matthews. Looking ahead, Hough is set to face New Bern, a team with a current record of 3-1. The emerging talent and consistent performance reinforce Hough’s reputation in the region’s high school football scene.

Cornelius, North Carolina

Hough High School retains the number one position in The Carolinas Top 25 high school football poll after its latest victory against Mooresville, securing a score of 28-21. With this win, Hough’s current record stands at 4-0, solidifying its reputation as a leading team in the Carolinas.

The Carolinas Top 25 poll ranks high school football teams across North and South Carolina and is sponsored by McClatchy media firms. The polling results are compiled by Chris Hughes, a well-respected expert in high school football in the region.

In the victory over Mooresville, Samari Matthews, a recruit for Texas, showcased an impressive performance, highlighted by a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown. This significant play contributed greatly to Hough’s overall success during the game.

Looking ahead, the Huskies are scheduled to face New Bern in their next match-up, who currently holds a record of 3-1. New Bern is coming off a loss to Cleveland, a team ranked No. 15 in The Carolinas Top 25.

Ranking Details

Following Hough in the rankings are:

• Providence Day (NC, Charlotte) – 4-0, ranked 2nd
• South Pointe (SC, Rock Hill) – 3-1, ranked 3rd
• Dutch Fork (SC, Irmo) – 3-0, ranked 4th
• Grimsley (NC, Greensboro) – 3-0, ranked 5th

Other notable teams in the rankings include:

• Cardinal Gibbons (NC, Raleigh) – 4-0, ranked 11th
• Cleveland (NC, Clayton) – 4-0, ranked 15th
• North Augusta (SC, North Augusta) – 4-0, ranked 19th
• Hoggard (NC, Wilmington) – 4-0, ranked 23rd
• AC Flora (SC, Columbia) – 4-0, ranked 25th

Previous Highlights

Hough achieved a remarkable 35-0 shutout victory over No. 5 Independence in an earlier game, with quarterback Ethan Royal contributing significantly by accounting for four offensive touchdowns (two passing and two rushing). Additionally, Micah Wright made key defensive contributions with two interceptions, one being a pick-six. Hough’s defense held Independence to only 80 yards of total offense, marking an impressive performance.

This game also indicated Hough’s dominance, as it marked their third consecutive win over Independence, leveling the all-time series at 4-4.

Next week, Hough will travel to Virginia to compete against Highland Springs, a team that had a successful previous season. Meanwhile, Independence is preparing to host Charlotte Christian, a private school.

Upcoming Games

Fans of high school football can look forward to the following upcoming games:

• Hough vs. New Bern – Friday
• Independence vs. Charlotte Christian – Date to be confirmed
• Hough vs. Highland Springs – Next week

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Additional Resources

• The State
• Cornelius Today
• Charlotte Observer
• High School OT
• WRAL
• Wikipedia: Hough High School
• Google Search: Hough High School football
• Google Scholar: Hough High School
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hough High School
• Google News: Hough High School

Author: STAFF HERE IRMO

The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.