For the first time in more than half a century, football is officially back in Conference Carolinas.
The Division II league released its 2025 preseason football poll on Wednesday, and UNC Pembroke earned a share of the top spot, tying with North Greenville for No. 1 in the voting by league coaches. Both teams received 32 total points, with the UNCP Braves grabbing four first-place votes and the Crusaders taking the remaining three.
UNC Pembroke spent the past six seasons as a football-only affiliate of the Mountain East Conference and now brings its gridiron squad into a solid league with the rest of its sports teams.
The Braves put three players on the Conference Carolinas preseason watch list: linebacker Evan VanMeter (Lexington | North Davidson HS), a 2024 All-Mountain East first team selection; All-MEC honorable mention honoree Hunter Turner (Gaffney, SC | Gaffney HS) and defensive lineman Jahari Clemmons (Gainesville, FL | Buchholz HS).
Barton landed fourth in the poll, just behind Shorter University, and boasts a trio of impact players from in-state: sophomore defensive lineman Joshua Hightower (Smithfield | Smithfield-Selma HS), junior linebacker Keno Jones (Rocky Mount | Northern Nash HS) and explosive running back Jackson Parrish (Graham | Southern Alamance HS), who earned All-Conference honors last fall while playing in the South Atlantic Conference.
Chowan placed fifth in the preseason rankings and brings back a strong veteran presence at quarterback with senior Maurice Smith Jr. (Fort Pierce, FL | Vero Beach HS), along with junior linebacker Cameron Richardson (Wake Forest | Rolesville HS) and senior wideout Malique Frazier (Macon, GA | Southwest HS).
Conference Carolinas last sponsored football in 1974, making this fall a landmark return for the league. The first official conference game is set for Friday night, September 13, when Barton visits North Greenville under the lights in Tigerville, S.C.
The regular-season champion will host the inaugural Conference Carolinas Football Championship on Saturday, Nov. 15.
🗳️ Preseason Poll (Voted on by Coaches)
- UNC Pembroke – 32 (4)
- North Greenville – 32 (3)
- Shorter – 26
- Barton – 22
- Chowan – 18
- Erskine – 11
- Ferrum – 6
Conference Carolinas will hold its media day on Thursday in Greenville, SC. Head coaches and select players will be available for interviews.
Stay tuned to NC Football News this season for full coverage of Conference Carolinas football as this new era kicks off.
