High school football will return to the Carolina Panthers\u2019 Bank of America Stadium this season.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk will feature a doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 29:<\/p>\n
8A state champion Hough High will face 7A East finalist Cardinal Gibbons in the night cap at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
South Carolina powerhouse programs Indian Land High and Northwestern High will square off in the opener at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
Hough will be making its second appearance in the showcase event at the home of Carolina Panthers. The Huskies beat South Carolina\u2019s South Pointe High in last year\u2019s event. Grimsley topped West Charlotte in the other game.<\/p>\n
Tickets will cost $8 to attend both contests, which will come in week two of the high school season. They will be available at Ticketmaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hough is ready for the Keep Pounding High School Classic! \u2014 Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk continues to celebrate the important role high school football plays in communities across the Carolinas,\u201d said Kristi Coleman, chief executive officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and president of the Carolina Panthers. \u201cBank of America Stadium will once again set the stage for the ultimate high school football experience, featuring two high-powered matchups that provide the energy and excitement of top-level high school football.\u201d<\/p>\n Hough completed a perfect run to the first-ever 8A state championship last fall, beating Millbrook 21-0 in the finale at UNC\u2019s Kenan Stadium. The Huskies finished 14-0, shutting out five opponents.<\/p>\n Cardinal Gibbons earned the No. 1 seed in the 7A bracket in 2025. The Crusaders were ousted in the East Regional by Clayton, concluding a 12-2 campaign. Cardinal Gibbons has advanced to the regional championship game in five of the last six seasons.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Relive 2025 NCHSAA state championship weekend: Recaps of all eight state title games<\/a><\/p>\n Cardinal Gibbons is ready for the Keep Pounding High School Classic! \u2014 Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2070\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f: https:\/\/t.co\/59kXIzBwro<\/a>\u2070\u2070@Belk<\/a> | #ThisIsHSFootball<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rUELIB1aW6<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2070\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f: https:\/\/t.co\/59kXIzBwro<\/a>\u2070\u2070@Belk<\/a> | #ThisIsHSFootball<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9K0KaVmwAA<\/a><\/p>\n