Football Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A Conference

[BoltsUp]

The Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A was a competitive league in 2025, with great play at the top and several teams making some noise in the playoffs. Here are the final conference standings from last year:

Rank	Team	Conf Record	Conf PCT	Overall	Ovr PCT
1	Lincolnton	7-1	.875	11-3	.786
2	Shelby	7-1	.875	13-3	.812
3	Burns	6-2	.750	7-5	.583
4	Stuart W. Cramer	6-2	.750	9-3	.750
5	West Lincoln	4-4	.500	6-6	.500
6	Cherryville	3-5	.375	6-6	.500
7	East Gaston	2-6	.250	2-8	.200
8	Highland Tech	1-7	.125	1-9	.100
9	Bessemer City	0-8	.000	1-9	.100

2025 Quick Takeaways:

* Shelby won the 3A State Championship.
* Lincolnton finished 3rd in 3A football.
* Stuart W. Cramer had their best season on record under first year Coach Simmons(11th in 4a).
* Burns finished 8th in 4A football with a young team.
* There were several teams with good records, which made for a tough conference race.

Now we’re looking forward to the 2026 season. Summer workouts are starting up and it will be interesting to see how teams fill in the gaps left by graduation losses with returning talent.

Discussion Questions:

* Who do you see as the biggest movers and shakers in 2026?

* Who are key returning players/newcomers?

* Wild guesses for the 2026 Southern Piedmont race?

 

[Stormsurge1]

The Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A was a competitive league in 2025, with great play at the top and several teams making some noise in the playoffs. Here are the final conference standings from last year:

Rank	Team	Conf Record	Conf PCT	Overall	Ovr PCT
1	Lincolnton	7-1	.875	11-3	.786
2	Shelby	7-1	.875	13-3	.812
3	Burns	6-2	.750	7-5	.583
4	Stuart W. Cramer	6-2	.750	9-3	.750
5	West Lincoln	4-4	.500	6-6	.500
6	Cherryville	3-5	.375	6-6	.500
7	East Gaston	2-6	.250	2-8	.200
8	Highland Tech	1-7	.125	1-9	.100
9	Bessemer City	0-8	.000	1-9	.100

2025 Quick Takeaways:

* Shelby won the 3A State Championship.
* Lincolnton finished 3rd in 3A football.
* Stuart W. Cramer had their best season on record under first year Coach Simmons(11th in 4a).
* Burns finished 8th in 4A football with a young team.
* There were several teams with good records, which made for a tough conference race.

Now we’re looking forward to the 2026 season. Summer workouts are starting up and it will be interesting to see how teams fill in the gaps left by graduation losses with returning talent.

Discussion Questions:

* Who do you see as the biggest movers and shakers in 2026?

* Who are key returning players/newcomers?

* Wild guesses for the 2026 Southern Piedmont race?

Top 4 will be the same but the order of the top 4 is anyone’s guess. I’m not making that prediction

 

[beamer24]

Highland Tech gonna shock the world

 

[Stormsurge1]

Highland Tech gonna shock the world

Crest fan just called our conference an abomination on the CC thread and Shelby should be ashamed to be in it

 

[beamer24]

Jokes aside top 4 are legit bottom 4 leave much to be desired from a competitive standpoint. But Reidsville is in a weak conference and we are too. It is what it is.

 

[BoltsUp]

Highland Tech gonna shock the world

The fact they get kids to show up and play year in an year out attest to their desire to play. It would be beneficial to everyone if they could join a conference with similar circumstances, but not sure that exists within a logical driving distance. Ill give credit to those guys that show up and play on Friday against Shelby/Burns/Linc/SC. It is much harder to go compete against those top teams, than sit on the bench at another program. They know what they signed up for and keep coming back for more.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Crest fan just called our conference an abomination on the CC thread and Shelby should be ashamed to be in it

Meant it. When the worst team from Big South looks like 85 Bears, it should tell you something. Was nice that Cramer leaving made both conferences stronger.

 

[Stormsurge1]

Meant it. When the worst team from Big South looks like 85 Bears, it should tell you something. Was nice that Cramer leaving made both conferences stronger.

Can’t argue facts. Cramer has won twice as many games against Big South opponents since they left versus the last two years they were in it. I guess it just took a conference change to beat some of the same teams that had been beating them (coaching change aside). Also a fact that going from the smallest team in the conference to the largest does help no arguments here.

Good luck this year. I know Crest will be strong as always. I would wish you luck in your first two games but the way you speak of this conference you should have both those bad teams on running clocks by halftime.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Can’t argue facts. Cramer has won twice as many games against Big South opponents since they left versus the last two years they were in it. I guess it just took a conference change to beat some of the same teams that had been beating them (coaching change aside). Also a fact that going from the smallest team in the conference to the largest does help no arguments here.

Good luck this year. I know Crest will be strong as always. I would wish you luck in your first two games but the way you speak of this conference you should have both those bad teams on running clocks by halftime.

They will put up a fight against Crest like they always do. Game won’t be over when they stop off the bus like sorry bunch in this league.

 

[BoltsUp]

Meant it. When the worst team from Big South looks like 85 Bears, it should tell you something. Was nice that Cramer leaving made both conferences stronger.

Wait you are going to come on here and try to sell that NG, FV, HH are top tier teams(last year). I am not sure why a fan of a State Championship team would care about anything other than that State Title and trying to repeat it!

Crest did beat the Big South bottom 3 by a combination of 186-7. Not quite 85 Bears status to most fans.

That Shelby team you despise was your closest win(31-24) of the season correct?

Look, you beat every team on your way to earn the 5A state title. There is no need to also try and pitch the idea your conference is stout top to bottom, facts tell another story.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Wait you are going to come on here and try to sell that NG, FV, HH are top tier teams(last year). I am not sure why a fan of a State Championship team would care about anything other than that State Title and trying to repeat it!

Crest did beat the Big South bottom 3 by a combination of 186-7. Not quite 85 Bears status to most fans.

That Shelby team you despise was your closest win(31-24) of the season correct?

Look, you beat every team on your way to earn the 5A state title. There is no need to also try and pitch the idea your conference is stout top to bottom, facts tell another story.

Didn’t say they were. Just said this conference was a disgrace and Shelby shouldn’t be in it.

We dumped the worst team and all the sudden they started running down hill on these teams.


https://simmonsratings.com/hsfbconfrank25.htm

 

[Stormsurge1]

Didn’t say they were. Just said this conference was a disgrace and Shelby shouldn’t be in it.

We dumped the worst team and all the sudden they started running down hill on these teams.


https://simmonsratings.com/hsfbconfrank25.htm

Dumped the worst team or the state went from 4 classifications to 8 classifications and Cramer was the smallest team by enrollment and was the only school in your conference that did not end up 5A or 6A?

Pal, I get it, Cramer has been not good at football since the inception of the school in 2013, but there are more factors than just switching conferences as to why they won last year. They were 1-3 against NG and FV the previous 2 years and 2-0 against those same teams last year and will be 2-0 again this year. So going from 1-3 to 4-0 in the span of 2 years is not just because of a conference switch.

Cramer doesn’t have the tradition of a Crest or any school in Cleveland County for that matter. Again it has only been around since 2013. However we are trying to build something and playing in the 4A division which is where the state placed us based off enrollment. Good luck to Crest this year, they will be extremely tough to beat in 5A. Great chance to repeat.

 

[BoltsUp]

Didn’t say they were. Just said this conference was a disgrace and Shelby shouldn’t be in it.

We dumped the worst team and all the sudden they started running down hill on these teams.


https://simmonsratings.com/hsfbconfrank25.htm

Our man Crest Charger 02 coming in hot. Unfortunately, if a State Title cant make you happy enough to keep off message boards taking shots at teams you obviously consider inferior , then what will?

What is the issue? You upset Shelby may get more attention than Crest due to their success in a smaller classification? Sounds like a good setup for Crest to me. Crest can keep competing for 5A titles and then beat their chest and claim the 3A title after Shelby cakes walk to it(your opinion not mine) and Crest squeezes another tight win over Shelby like this year.

Now if Shelby beats Crest this year and Crest wins another State title or conference championship, I assume you will let the Shelby fans claim that title to be fair.

You think any Weddington fans are claiming the 2025/26 5A State Championship? Yeah, probably not.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Our man Crest Charger 02 coming in hot. Unfortunately, if a State Title cant make you happy enough to keep off message boards taking shots at teams you obviously consider inferior , then what will?

What is the issue? You upset Shelby may get more attention than Crest due to their success in a smaller classification? Sounds like a good setup for Crest to me. Crest can keep competing for 5A titles and then beat their chest and claim the 3A title after Shelby cakes walk to it(your opinion not mine) and Crest squeezes another tight win over Shelby like this year.

Now if Shelby beats Crest this year and Crest wins another State title or conference championship, I assume you will let the Shelby fans claim that title to be fair.

You think any Weddington fans are claiming the 2025/26 5A State Championship? Yeah, probably not.

You are new to this since Cramer had a pulse for first time last season. Go a season or two and understand how the offseason works.

 

[Stormsurge1]

You are new to this since Cramer had a pulse for first time last season. Go a season or two and understand how the offseason works.

New conference or not get used to Cramer winning as long as the coach stays. He will not settle for anything less. 9-3 in his first year, but you’re right before he got there, there was not much of a pulse. He is a Greg Lloyd descendent so I figured the Crest guys would give us a little less grief than what you are giving.

 

[notanyonesfan1]

I predict Max Davis will have a huge year for Burns.

Couple others will be big for Burns will be Romelo Wells (RB/WR), Mason Bralley (LB, WR), Gage Camp (OL) & . Joruan Ussery (WR). And a dark horse for Burns for me is Kolton Pryor, he'll be a junior RB and the kid can absolutely fly.

Will be interesting to see what Burns does at the QB position. We'll see with a very very talented freshman coming in.

Defensively Burns should be really really good.

As for the conference obviously the only four that matter are Burns, Shelby, Lincolnton & Cramer. Wouldn't surprise me if every one of those four has at least 1 loss in conference.

 

[BoltsUp]

You are new to this since Cramer had a pulse for first time last season. Go a season or two and understand how the offseason works.

We get it, you think your Big South 5A/6A conference is better than a 2A/3A/4A conference. It should be by design. The Southern Piedmont top 4 were some of the best teams in their classification last year, so give credit where it is due. The bottom 3, were what they were last year. I think you can say the same about the Big South's bottom 3.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

We get it, you think your Big South 5A/6A conference is better than a 2A/3A/4A conference. It should be by design. The Southern Piedmont top 4 were some of the best teams in their classification last year, so give credit where it is due. The bottom 3, were what they were last year. I think you can say the same about the Big South's bottom 3.

Best in classification would mean winning more playoff games than you actually did. Show it again and whatever credit you are seeking will be given.

 

[Stormsurge1]

Best in classification would mean winning more playoff games than you actually did. Show it again and whatever credit you are seeking will be given.

You are correct, our 3A teams outperformed us and Burns in the playoffs last year. Hopefully Burns and SC will be there at the end and we can get a little admiration from Charger Nation

 

[Goldendomer10]

In the future this will be Burns and Stuart Cramer receiving the much coveted Crown of Crest Affirmation

 

[Stormsurge1]

In the future this will be Burns and Stuart Cramer receiving the much coveted Crown of Crest Affirmation

A lot of sleepless nights in Lawndale and Belmont until that day finally comes.

 

[BoltsUp]

Best in classification would mean winning more playoff games than you actually did. Show it again and whatever credit you are seeking will be given.

Shelby Ranked 1 in 3A
Lincolnton 3rd in 3A
Burns 4th in 4a
SC 11 in 5a

Maybe I need some help with your Boiling Spring Math, but that took a few playoff wins to achieve.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Shelby Ranked 1 in 3A
Lincolnton 3rd in 3A
Burns 4th in 4a
SC 11 in 5a

Maybe I need some help with your Boiling Spring Math, but that took a few playoff wins to achieve.

SC isn’t in 5A and I noted your playoff win over powerhouse Bandys. So you do need help.

 

[Stormsurge1]

SC isn’t in 5A and I noted your playoff win over powerhouse Bandys. So you do need help.

Bandys did go to OT in the last regular season game of the year with your western finals opponent from last year. Just sayin

 

[BoltsUp]

SC isn’t in 5A and I noted your playoff win over powerhouse Bandys. So you do need help.

Fair enough. Your issue is with SC not the whole conference.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Fair enough. Your issue is with SC not the whole conference.

It’s with the whole conference. Your Southern 2A/4A pride is appreciated.

 

[BoltsUp]

It’s with the whole conference. Your Southern 2A/4A pride is appreciated.

How about this. Take the top 3-5 of each conference and compare. No need to compare 3 win teams when the bigger schools should have the advantage. To be fair then compare the Big South to to Southern Carolina and Metro 6A/7A. I am not saying Southern Piedmont is better than the Big South, but there are capable teams at the top just like any conference.

 

[Stormsurge1]

In all fairness we do schedule two 5A schools from our county with higher enrollment #’s than ours from your powerhouse conference as our non conference opponents.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

How about this. Take the top 3-5 of each conference and compare. No need to compare 3 win teams when the bigger schools should have the advantage. To be fair then compare the Big South to to Southern Carolina and Metro 6A/7A. I am not saying Southern Piedmont is better than the Big South, but there are capable teams at the top just like any conference.

That’s fair. We can see how Crest did against Burns and Shelby, KM against those two. Oh well.

 

[Stormsurge1]

That’s fair. We can see how Crest did against Burns and Shelby, KM against those two. Oh well.

New year, let’s see how it shakes out this year. I mean you guys should win easily based off of the size of the schools. 6A/5A vs 4A/3A…..I wonder if Weddington went around beating its chest after last years game against Crest.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

New year, let’s see how it shakes out this year. I mean you guys should win easily based off of the size of the schools. 6A/5A vs 4A/3A…..I wonder if Weddington went around beating its chest after last years game against Crest.

They should. Everyone should that beat that Crest team. Not talking the usual homecoming win over Cramer or Highland Tech.

Yeesh I didn't realize it was that bad. Since enrollment matters now.

SC 1014
Cherryville 477
Highland 552
Bessemer 552
West Lincoln 709

 

[BoltsUp]

They should. Everyone should that beat that Crest team. Not talking the usual homecoming win over Cramer or Highland Tech.

Yeesh I didn't realize it was that bad. Since enrollment matters now.

SC 1014
Cherryville 477
Highland 552
Bessemer 552
West Lincoln 709

Thanks for proving the point. Are you saying more students = better football(when there is coaching present)?

You would think with a 1098 to 792 advantage, Crest would beat Shelby by more than 7 points.

 

[Stormsurge1]

They should. Everyone should that beat that Crest team. Not talking the usual homecoming win over Cramer or Highland Tech.

Yeesh I didn't realize it was that bad. Since enrollment matters now.

SC 1014
Cherryville 477
Highland 552
Bessemer 552
West Lincoln 709

I agree with you, and I hate we have a few of those teams on our schedule. We should beat those teams every year just like you guys and KM should beat Burns and Shelby every year based off your enrollment.

Crest had an all time great 5A team last year. That was one of the best teams I have ever seen from Crest and I am a SP grad who has watched Crest/SP play countless #’s of times before my son started Cramer.

However don’t fool yourself into thinking you were one of the 10-12 best teams in the state. I would say there were probably 5-6 7A and 8A teams better and I’m sure maybe 1-2 6A teams. Again this is not taking anything away from Crest because they were the best 5A-1A team in the state, but the enrollment of your school matters when your talking best vs best.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Thanks for proving the point. Are you saying more students = better football(when there is coaching present)?

You would think with a 1098 to 792 advantage, Crest would beat Shelby by more than 7 points.

That your best season in history was on the backs of a terrible conference? I’ve already said that. Purple power boys got upset about enrollment differences and then went from homecoming regulars to however many wins you rolled up this year.

 

[Crest Charger 02]

I agree with you, and I hate we have a few of those teams on our schedule. We should beat those teams every year just like you guys and KM should beat Burns and Shelby every year based off your enrollment.

Crest had an all time great 5A team last year. That was one of the best teams I have ever seen from Crest and I am a SP grad who has watched Crest/SP play countless #’s of times before my son started Cramer.

However don’t fool yourself into thinking you were one of the 10-12 best teams in the state. I would say there were probably 5-6 7A and 8A teams better and I’m sure maybe 1-2 6A teams. Again this is not taking anything away from Crest because they were the best 5A-1A team in the state, but the enrollment of your school matters when your talking best vs best.

So I’m clear, I don’t give a rip about your rankings or your belief about where Crest ranked last year as a program.

 

[Stormsurge1]

So I’m clear, I don’t give a rip about your rankings or your belief about where Crest ranked last year as a program.

Then we have something in common….cause I don’t care about yours either

 

[BUSHLEAGUE1]

Top 4 teams ( Lincolnton, burns, Shelby, SC )
Conference is top heavy.

Lincolnton football numbers are up tremendously from last season. Most kids I’ve ever seen from them. They said they had 50-60 kids every day.

most years 30-40 kids last years on average

Is it August yet? Go Wolves

 

[Crest Charger 02]

Then we have something in common….cause I don’t care about yours either

Your first post in this thread tells another story.

 

[Stormsurge1]

Your first post in this thread tells another story.

Just like your responses tell a different story. We can go back and forth like this for as long as you want to. I find it entertaining.

 

[Stormsurge1]

I find it intriguing, that I give Crest credit and it is well deserved credit, but you refuse to admit we are not the same team you guys saw from 2 years ago. We have not had a winning tradition at all since the school started in 2013, but our new coach has made a complete culture change in just one year. Am I saying we could beat Crest, absolutely not, but am I saying it would be different from a competitive standpoint from 2 years ago, absolutely yes. Good luck to Crest this year, and hopefully you can learn to enjoy your success instead of trying to tear down other programs. Be better pal, I know you can do it.