By Chatham Journal Staff
Pittsboro, NC – This week’s Chatham County football power rankings are based on games played through Friday, September 25. Movement is from last week.
| Rank | Team | Record | Movement | Latest result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seaforth | 4-1 | – | Idle |
| 2 | Chatham Central | 6-0 | – | W, 35-0 at North Stokes |
| 3 | Northwood | 2-3 | – | Idle |
| 4 | Jordan-Matthews | 3-3 | – | W, 28-21 at East Chapel Hill |
1. Seaforth Hawks – 4-1 (-)
Chatham Central is applying serious pressure, but Seaforth retains the top spot on schedule strength and comparative performance.
The Hawks own a 22-15 head-to-head win over No. 3 Northwood and beat common opponent North Moore 50-0; Chatham Central defeated North Moore 54-28. Seaforth is also rated No. 138 statewide, well ahead of Chatham Central at No. 276.
Seaforth’s offense remains the county’s most explosive, with Noah Fuller averaging 112.6 receiving yards per game and Mason Pooley leading the team with seven touchdowns.
Verdict: The Hawks’ stronger body of work outweighs Chatham Central’s extra victory-for now.
2. Chatham Central Bears – 6-0 (-)
The Bears did everything expected against winless North Stokes, delivering their first 35-point margin of the season and improving to 2-0 in conference play. Brooks Albright threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Carson Jackson produced 129 total yards and a score, and the defense recorded three sacks, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown in the shutout.
The caveat is opponent strength: North Stokes fell to 0-6, so this result does not carry enough weight to dislodge Seaforth. Still, Chatham Central is now 6-0, No. 4 in the state’s 1A classification and has allowed no points in two of its six games.
Verdict: Closing quickly on No. 1, but the Bears need either a stronger victory or a Seaforth stumble.
3. Northwood Chargers – 2-3 (-)
Northwood was idle and stays third because its résumé remains stronger than Jordan-Matthews’ despite the Jets’ win. The Chargers’ previous result was a 21-14 victory over North Surry in which they generated 428 yards-268 rushing and 160 passing. They also played Seaforth within one score.
Northwood is No. 212 statewide compared with Jordan-Matthews at No. 374. Raje Torres leads the Chargers with four total touchdowns, while Brody Murchinson averages 64 rushing yards per game.
Verdict: The Chargers keep the spot, but Friday’s trip to Eastern Randolph could either validate it or open the door for Jordan-Matthews.
4. Jordan-Matthews Jets – 3-3 (-)
Jordan-Matthews earned the week’s most competitive victory, winning 28-21 at East Chapel Hill. The Jets scored 14 points in both the first and third quarters and shut out the Wildcats in the fourth. East Chapel Hill entered at 1-2 and fell to 1-3, so it was a useful road win rather than a major résumé-changer.
The result halted a two-game skid in which the Jets had been outscored 103-26 by Wheatmore and Providence Grove.
Verdict: A needed rebound, but the lopsided earlier losses keep the Jets behind Northwood.
Player of the Week
Carson Jackson, Chatham Central
Jackson produced 129 total yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 35-0 victory, including a season-high 84 rushing yards. In a game controlled by Chatham Central’s defense, his all-purpose production gave the offense its steadiest complement to Albright’s passing.
Honorable mentions: Brooks Albright, Chatham Central – 152 passing yards and two touchdowns; Gavin Williams, Chatham Central – interception returned for a touchdown; C.J. Crutchfield, Jordan-Matthews – 52-yard touchdown run.
Next key matchups
- Northwood at Eastern Randolph – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
The county’s toughest assignment. Eastern Randolph is 3-3, ranked No. 104 statewide and just beat West Stanly 43-15. A Northwood road win would substantially improve its résumé. - Seaforth at Orange – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Orange is 2-3 but enters after rushing for 353 yards in a 43-22 victory over Northern Durham. This is a meaningful test of Seaforth’s hold on No. 1. - North Moore at Jordan-Matthews – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
The Jets should be favored against an 0-6 North Moore team that has been shut out in consecutive weeks. Anything short of a convincing win would limit upward movement. - Chatham Central – idle Oct. 2; hosts College Prep & Leadership Academy on Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
The Bears’ next opponent is 1-4 after losing 36-18 to South Stokes.