New No. 1 team in Observer’s Sweet 16 football poll took a while to get there
It has taken a while, but Vance has finally made it to the top of the Observer’s Sweet 16 football poll.
The Cougars dominated a N.C. 4AA state semifinal at Richmond Senior on Friday night, winning 38-7 to advance to a second straight state championship next Saturday against Leesville Road from Raleigh.
Vance beat a Richmond team that was ranked No. 50 in the MaxPreps national poll. Vance was the next highest-ranked N.C. team, at No. 89.
Joining the poll this week is 2A power Salisbury, which upset previously unbeaten Randleman to reach its first state championship game in nine years.
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec | Prvs. |
| 1. | Vance (4A) | 12-2 | 3 |
| 2. | Weddington (3A) | 15-0 | 2 |
| 3. | Mallard Creek (4A) | 10-1-1 | 5 |
| 4. | Richmond Senior | 13-1 | 1 |
| 5. | Myers Park (4A) | 12-1 | 4 |
| 6. | Shelby (2A) | 13-1 | 6 |
| 7. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 11-3 | 8 |
| 8. | Kings Mountain (3A) | 12-2 | 7 |
| 9. | Boone Watauga (3A) | 13-1 | 9 |
| 10. | Northwest Cabarrus (3A) | 12-2 | 10 |
| 11. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 11-2 | 11 |
| 12. | Clover, SC (5A) | 12-1 | 12 |
| 13. | Charlotte Christian (IND) | 8-2 | 13 |
| 14. | Statesville (3A) | 12-1 | 14 |
| 15. | Boiling Springs Crest (3A) | 10-3 | 15 |
| 16. | Salisbury (2A) | 13-2 | NR |
Dropped Out: Lawndale Burns (2A, 12-2).
Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer