Charlotte is fairly transient. There are a lot of people coming and going. Mostly moving in these days. Probably something like 70 or 80 high schools in Mecklenburg County. So, the recruiting that goes on is just part of it. Power shifts about every few years. It usually gets overlooked.
I don't think there's a huge difference between the top VA and NC teams. I know there's a ton of talent in 804 and 757. Maybe a few more teams in NC overall simply because we have more people. This year we have fewer classifications. So, some of the ones that might not be favored will still be a tough out.
I admittedly don't know a lot about Martinsburg, other than they've won a lot of games, or the DC schools. In general, I feel like the farther south you go, the more "competitive" things get. We have some interesting scrimmages this year: Mallard Creek at Byrnes, Cardinal Gibbons vs Dutch Fork, and Chambers vs Spartanburg. I expect the SC teams win them all. Maybe just two. And there will be one or two from SC not named Dutch Fork that struggle a bit against a GA 7A school.
Be that as it may, good to see the games on the schedule. Salem, HS, Maury, Oscar Smith, off the top of my head, with some big games.