CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are bringing the best of Carolina prep football back to the big stage this summer, announcing the full lineup for the fourth annual Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk.
The doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, August 29 at Bank of America Stadium, featuring the Indian Land Warriors vs. the Northwestern Trojans at 4:00 p.m., followed by the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders taking on the Hough Huskies at 8:00 p.m.  General admission tickets are priced at $8 and are available now via Ticketmaster.com. 
The matchups promise elite-level competition. The defending state champion Northwestern Trojans enter the 2026 season chasing a third consecutive 5A state title after going 13-1 and winning last year’s championship by a score of 55-13.  Their opponents, the Indian Land Warriors, are coming off an 11-2 season and a 5A state semifinal appearance as they continue to climb into the ranks of South Carolina’s elite.
The nightcap features two North Carolina heavyweights. The Hough Huskies capped a perfect 14-0 campaign with their first-ever 8A state championship and enter 2026 as one of the top high school programs in the nation. The Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders bring a loaded roster and lofty expectations into the new season following a 12-2 finish and a state semifinal run.
Panthers president Kristi Coleman said the event continues to honor the role high school football plays across communities in the Carolinas, with Bank of America Stadium once again providing the backdrop for what she called the ultimate high school football experience.
The event also carries strong sponsor backing. Belk CEO Don Hendricks highlighted the retailer’s pride in partnering with the Panthers on an event that puts a spotlight on the passion and potential of young athletes throughout the region. Additionally, the Carolina Panthers’ multi-year partnership with Whataburger, focused on youth and community programs, returns for a second year with the Whataburger Player of the Game award being presented during the on-field trophy ceremony after each game.
Now in its fourth year, the Keep Pounding Classic has established itself as one of the Southeast’s premier high school football showcases, giving top Carolina programs the rare opportunity to compete inside an NFL venue on a grand stage.
Tickets for the 2026 Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk are available now at Ticketmaster.com. Kickoff times are 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
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