By Chatham Journal staff

1. Seaforth Hawks – 3-1

Previous ranking: No. 1
Movement: –
Week 4 result: Defeated Northwood, 22-15

Seaforth stays at No. 1 after overcoming a 15-point deficit and defeating Northwood for the second consecutive season.

It was nothing like the Hawks’ 70-56 shootout against Princeton. Northwood pressured quarterback Duncan Parker, stopped Seaforth’s running game and held the Hawks to 13 rushing yards. Seaforth also committed a safety and lost a fumble near Northwood’s goal line.

But when the Hawks needed explosive plays, junior receiver Noah Fuller delivered them.

Fuller caught five passes for 148 yards and all three Seaforth touchdowns, including scoring receptions of 65 and 60 yards. He also made the game-clinching interception after Northwood reached Seaforth territory during the final minute.

Parker finished with 226 passing yards and three touchdowns, guiding the Hawks back after they trailed 15-0 late in the second quarter. Donovan Sims created another pivotal play by stripping a Northwood ball carrier and returning the fumble inside the Chargers’ 5-yard line, setting up Fuller’s go-ahead touchdown.

Seaforth has now beaten Chapel Hill, Princeton and Northwood. Its only loss came on the road against Southeast Alamance. That remains the county’s strongest overall schedule, and the Hawks’ offense has demonstrated a ceiling unmatched by the other three teams. They have scored 161 points, or 40.3 per game.

Why Seaforth remains No. 1: The Hawks own three on-field victories, the county’s strongest schedule and a head-to-head win over an improving Northwood team. They also demonstrated that they can win without dominating statistically. Bench Press reported that Seaforth erased a 15-0 deficit behind Fuller’s three touchdowns and late interception.

Strengths: Explosive passing game, Parker’s experience, Fuller’s big-play ability and improved second-half defense.

Concern: Seaforth rushed for only 13 yards and again hurt itself with penalties and turnovers. A more balanced offense will be needed once conference play begins.

What’s next: Home vs. North Moore, Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. North Moore enters 0-4 after allowing 54 points to Chatham Central.

2. Chatham Central Bears – 4-0

Previous ranking: No. 2
Movement: –
Week 4 result: Defeated North Moore, 54-28

The separation between the top two teams is now extremely narrow.

Chatham Central matched the best start in program history by improving to 4-0 for the first time since 1990. More importantly, the Bears showed they are capable of winning with offense after relying primarily on their defense during the opening weeks.

Junior quarterback Brooks Albright completed 17 of 25 passes for 302 yards and six touchdowns against North Moore. Junior receiver Nolan Mitchell caught seven passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, while Gavin Williams contributed four receptions for 81 yards and two scores.

Williams also led the defense with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

Chatham Central led 34-14 at halftime and finished with more points against North Moore than the Bears had scored in their two previously contested games combined. Their official record also includes a 2-0 forfeit victory over Graham.

The Bears have outscored opponents 99-36, own a decisive 29-8 road victory over Jordan-Matthews and have won twice away from Bear Creek.

Why the Bears remain No. 2: North Moore was winless entering the game, and Chatham Central’s schedule has been lighter than Seaforth’s. The Bears’ résumé includes three played victories and one forfeit, while Seaforth has defeated three opponents on the field against stronger overall competition.

Chatham Central, however, is much closer to overtaking the Hawks than it was one week ago. If Albright’s passing performance proves sustainable, the Bears may possess the county’s most balanced team.

Strengths: Passing-game improvement, disruptive defense, multiple receiving threats and the ability to win on the road.

Concern: The defense allowed 28 points after surrendering only eight in its first two played games. North Moore entered the night 0-3, so tougher tests are still required.

What’s next: Away at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. This is Chatham Central’s Greater Triad 1A/2A Conference opener and another opportunity to validate its unbeaten start.

3. Northwood Chargers – 1-3

Previous ranking: No. 4
Movement: ▲ 1
Week 4 result: Lost to Seaforth, 22-15

Northwood becomes the first team in these rankings to climb immediately after a loss.

That requires explanation, but the Chargers’ last two performances provide it. Northwood shut out Bartlett Yancey, 42-0, then led top-ranked Seaforth 15-0 before falling by one possession.

The Chargers dictated the first half against a Seaforth offense that had scored 70 points one week earlier. Linebacker Seth Bowers recorded a sack and supplied the pressure that stopped a Seaforth possession late in the first half. Northwood also held the Hawks to 13 rushing yards.

Quarterback Lincoln Sullivan scored on a 3-yard run and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Raje Torres. Senior Asher Brooks gave the Chargers one final opportunity when he intercepted Parker near the goal line and returned the ball close to midfield.

Northwood could not complete the upset, but its ability to pressure Seaforth, sustain drives and compete into the final minute was meaningful. The Chargers looked substantially better than the team that lost its first two games by a combined 84-14.

Northwood’s 1-3 record is worse than Jordan-Matthews’ 2-2 mark, but the Chargers have played the more demanding schedule. Their losses came against Harnett Central, Asheboro and Seaforth; their recent trajectory is also much stronger.

Why Northwood rises: The Chargers followed a 42-point shutout with a competitive seven-point loss against the county’s No. 1 team. Jordan-Matthews, meanwhile, lost by 38 points to a previously winless opponent.

Strengths: Defensive pressure, physicality, improving offensive execution and competitive resilience.

Concern: Northwood has scored only 29 points in its three losses. The Chargers must finish promising drives and avoid turnovers if they are going to turn improved play into victories.

What’s next: Home vs. North Surry, Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. Northwood needs a victory to confirm that its last two performances represent a lasting turnaround.

4. Jordan-Matthews Jets – 2-2

Previous ranking: No. 3
Movement: ▼ 1
Week 4 result: Lost to Wheatmore, 58-20

Jordan-Matthews falls after suffering its most damaging result of the season.

Wheatmore entered Siler City 0-3 but rushed for 430 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior running backs Lane Cole and Banks Juju both surpassed 100 yards, with Juju scoring three rushing touchdowns and Cole adding two.

The Jets trailed 26-6 at halftime and allowed 27 points during the fourth quarter. The 58 points were the most Jordan-Matthews had surrendered in a game since 2022.

Jordan-Matthews still owns two double-digit victories-36-22 over Carrboro and 36-24 at North Stokes-but its two losses have come by 21 and 38 points. Chatham Central defeated the Jets 29-8, and Wheatmore exposed significant problems with J-M’s run defense.

The Jets have allowed 133 points, the highest total among the four county teams, and have been outscored by 33.

Why the Jets fall: Losing decisively to a previously winless opponent outweighs the advantage of having one more victory than Northwood. The Chargers are playing their best football, while the Jets are coming off their poorest defensive performance.

Strengths: The ability to produce points, two solid early victories and a road win at North Stokes.

Concern: Run defense and late-game resistance. Allowing 430 rushing yards makes improvement along the defensive front the immediate priority.

What’s next: Away at Providence Grove, Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. The Jets need a stronger defensive performance before beginning Four Rivers Conference play in October.

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Chatham County Football Player of the Week

Brooks Albright, Chatham Central quarterback

Albright earns the award after completing 17 of 25 passes for 302 yards and six touchdowns in Chatham Central’s 54-28 victory over North Moore.

He averaged 12.1 yards per attempt, threw a touchdown once every 4.2 passes and directed the highest-scoring performance of Chatham Central’s season. His production helped the Bears match the best start in program history.

Albright gets a narrow decision over two exceptional candidates:

• Noah Fuller, Seaforth: Five receptions, 148 yards, three touchdowns and the game-sealing interception against Northwood.
• Gavin Williams, Chatham Central: Four receptions, 81 yards, two touchdowns, 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

The complete Week 4 statistical roundup is available from Bench Press.

Next key matchups

• Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. – Chatham Central at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy: The Bears open conference play and put their historic 4-0 start on the line.
• Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. – North Moore at Seaforth: Seaforth faces the same opponent Chatham Central just defeated 54-28, providing a useful-though imperfect-comparison between the county’s top two teams.
• Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. – North Surry at Northwood: The Chargers try to convert two weeks of improved play into their second victory.
• Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. – Jordan-Matthews at Providence Grove: The Jets seek a defensive reset following the 58-point loss to Wheatmore.

Rankings at a glance

Rank	Team	Record	Previous	Movement
1	Seaforth	3-1	1	–
2	Chatham Central	4-0	2	–
3	Northwood	1-3	4	▲ 1
4	Jordan-Matthews	2-2	3	▼ 1