North Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers have opened nominations for the 2025 Keep Pounding High School Classic, presented by Belk. This event offers high school football teams from North Carolina and South Carolina a chance to compete at Bank of America Stadium. Scheduled for Friday, August 22, the event will feature a doubleheader with games at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Nominations are open until Monday, February 3. High schools in both states can submit nominations for individual schools or specific Week 1 matchups. An athletic director or head football coach must complete the nomination form for consideration.

A selection committee will review the submissions and announce the participating schools by mid-February.

Kristi Coleman, CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and President of the Carolina Panthers, stated, "The Keep Pounding High School Classic celebrates the important role that high school football plays in communities across our region and provides teams, their fans, and the high school football community with the ultimate experience at Bank of America Stadium." She added that they are proud to offer this opportunity alongside Belk.

This year marks Belk's first sponsorship of the event as part of its partnership with the Panthers. Don Hendricks, CEO of Belk, expressed excitement about supporting local players: "Playing football in a professional stadium is a unique experience, and Belk is honored to join with the Carolina Panthers in making this a reality for local players, coaches, and their families."

The Keep Pounding High School Classic reflects the Panthers' commitment to grassroots football development. The team also hosts other events like the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Women's High School Flag Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium. Since 2022, they have supported nearly 120 women's flag football teams and contributed significant funds to school programs.

For more information on how to nominate a team, visit panthers.com/community/kphc-registration.