CHARLOTTE - The Carolina Panthers are thrilled to announce a high-profile lineup featuring defending state champions and title contenders in the 2025 Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk at Bank of America Stadium. Scheduled for Friday, August 22, the Keep Pounding High School Classic will once again be a doubleheader event, this year featuring matchups between the Hough Huskies and South Pointe Stallions (4:00PM kickoff) and the Grimsley Whirlies versus the West Charlotte Lions (8:00PM kickoff). General admission tickets are $8 and available now via Ticketmaster.com.

The Carolina Panthers are proud to partner with Belk to kick off the high school football season with two exciting matchups that highlight the important role football plays in bringing communities together," said Kristi Coleman, CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and President of the Carolina Panthers. "This year's Keep Pounding High School Classic will be a great showcase of school spirit and competitive play, featuring four talented programs from both North and South Carolina."

Last October, the Carolina Panthers and Belk announced a muti-year partnership that placed a particular emphasis on the Panthers community pillars, including the naming rights to the Keep Pounding High School Classic.

"Belk takes great pride in celebrating the communities we serve and the moments that bring us together," said Don Hendricks, CEO of Belk. "This incredible event put on by the Carolina Panthers highlights the talent, determination and spirit of young athletes across our region and we are honored to be a part of it."

The Hough Huskies (N.C.) are expected to be ranked as a preseason state title contender following a 12-2 campaign and state semifinal appearance in 2024, while the South Pointe Stallions (S.C.) are poised to challenge for the school's eighth state championship following a 11-3 mark in 2024 and state semifinal appearance.

The Grimsley Whirlies (N.C.) enter the season ranked #16 nationally in Sports Illustrated's "Way Too Early" preseason high school poll following the 16-0 2024 campaign that ended with a 4A state championship in 2024. The West Charlotte Lions (N.C.) are returning 21 starters from 2024's 3A state championship team that finished 13-2. This season, Grimsley will compete in the NCHSAA's new 7A classification while West Charlotte will compete in the 8A class.

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