Sports Charlotte

Shaq Thompson's season-ending injury is a major blow to the Carolina Panthers. What do they do going forward? Johnson C. Smith – an afterthought in CIAA football – is nationally ranked for the first time in school history. Also: the Charlotte 49ers take on in-state rival East Carollina in an AAC game and our weekly Magnificent Seven high school football rankings.

Can the Carolina Panthers beat the Cincinnati Bengals to even their record at 2-2? Plus, previews of the Johnson C. Smith-Bluefield State and Charlotte-Rice football games; high school games rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene and Charlotte Hornets training camp opens.

Johnson C. Smith has upended the balance of power in CIAA football under head coach Maurice Flowers. He reveals how it all came together in a massive win against 2023 title winner Virginia Union and why the Golden Bulls carry a chip on their shoulder to be scheduled for opponents' homecoming game.

The Carolina Panthers demoted Bryce Young, and it paid off with a dominant win against the Raiders. Can Andy Dalton quarterback the Panthers to a win against Cincinnati! We're also talking about Saturday's Charlotte-Rice football game and athletics director Mike Hill's four-year contract extension. We also debut this week's Magnificent Seven High School football rankings.

The Carolina Panthers demoted quarterback Bryce Young – fair or foul? Also, the Charlotte 49ers take on the Indiana Hoosiers in non-conference football; a huge CIAA duel between Johnson C. Smith and Virginia Union and the Magnificent Seven high school football rankings.

There's nothing like football home openers. The Carolina Panthers make their Bank of America Stadium debut Sunday against the LA Chargers after an ugly loss in the season opener at New Orleans. Will they do better against the Chargers and their new coach Jim Harbaugh?

At the other end of the spectrum, Johnson C. Smith is 2-0 going into their home opener against Lincoln (Pa.). The Golden Bulls are drawing significant buzz with a roster filled with Charlotte-area talent that's outscored opponents 58-26.

We're also looking into the Charlotte 49ers home date with Gardner-Webb and reviewing the weekly Magnificent Seven high school football rankings.

The Carolina Panthers open the regular season at New Orleans. How many wins will it take to prove a turnaround in fortunes? The Charlotte 49ers go to Chapel Hill for a non-conference tussle with North Carolina; Johnson C. Smith is flexing after a huge win vs. Tuskegee. We didn't leave out high schools. Why West Charlotte and Independence should play every season and the latest Magnificent Seven rankings.

Charlotte, Davidson and Johnson C. Smith open their season during Labor Day weekend. Plus, the latest Magnificent Seven high school rankings.

The Carolina Panthers will finally put starters on the field; high school football season gets underway; Darius Ocean earns the starting job as J.C. Smith's quarterback; latest on Charlotte 49ers football.

A preview of Saturday's Carolina Panthers-New York Jets preseason game; Charlotte 49ers football media day; debut of the Magnificent Seven rankings and the debut of professional women's soccer with the Carolina Ascent.