Final Regular Season Games Confirm NC School Semifinalists

01.25.2026HS Boys

Aiden McLaughlin scored two tries for Marvin Ridge vs South Charlotte. Photo Meg Savarese.

Author: Alex Goff

The North Carolina school league semifinal matchups are confirmed after a couple of questions were answered over the weekend.

Charlotte Catholic ended the season a perfect 5-0, although it wasn't exactly a runaway as the Cougars had to squeak by Huskies 14-12. It had been a testing week for Charlotte Catholic, what with their weekend trip to San Diego to play (and beat) Cathedral Catholic, and then travel back across the country to face Huskies.

The Cougars did have 1st in the Blue Division all sewn up, but the Huskies out of Hough, NC were not in the same situation, and ran the risk of dropping to 2nd.

"An amazing game of rugby," said Charlotte Catholic Head Coach Jason Zehmke. "It was very physical and an excellent effort from all players. Hats off the Huskies, who came to play and play they did. We'll take the win but know we have a tough assignment ahead."

North Carolina School Boys D1/Premier Standings January 24, 2026

January 24, 2026

North Carolina School

So. Charlotte

FINAL

1.24.26

Mavericks

Huskies

FINAL

1.24.26

CCHS

Copperheads

FINAL

1.24.26

Capitals

South Charlotte, came into the match at 3-1, getting some excellent work for flyhalf Nehemiah Gill and center John Teli, while No. 8 Tony Capraro has been a handful among the forwards. A win would put them at 4-1 and, barring a Huskies win (which, as we've seen, was possible) 1st in the Red Division.

But in the end it was Marvin Ridge that won that match. Brothers George and Trey Tidwell were very good for Marvin Ridge and scored a try each. Wing Aiden McLaughlin scored two and Thomas Spicer scored, as well. Meanwhile, captain Wells O'Mara was player of the game with his carries and defense.

He was ably assisted by hooker Chris Rossano and Aidan O'Connor.

Trey Tidwell for Marvin Ridge vs South Charlotte. Photo Meg Savarese.

The result was a 35-19 win for Marvin Ridge, but that didn't end the story for South Charlotte. They had come in with a 3-1 record and a points difference of +35. Capitals were coming in at 2-2 with a points difference of -18. So all Capitals needed was a combined win and loss margin of 54.

South Charlotte had lost by 16, and in the end that was the killer. With winning margins capped at 35 in North Carolina, the Capitals couldn't get to 54 (16 plus 35 is 51). In the end they did win to get to 3-2, but the score was 44-26.

So three teams at 3-2, with Capitals on the outside looking in as they were 13 points shy of South Charlotte on points difference.

"It was a tight race," said South Charlotte Head Coach Demond Burwell. "It was a great regular season all around. Now we're looking forward to playing Charlotte Catholic."

And, yes, that is how it will be, with South Charlotte vs Charlotte Catholic, and Marvin Ridge vs Huskies. The Marvin Ridge-Hough rivalry is a big one and they will also play each other in the JV semis.

"North Carolina's greatest rivalry," said Marvin Ridge Head Coach Alan Mitchell. "Our last games against that have been very close affairs that could have gone either way, so we're very much looking forward to this matchup."