Vance High is The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football champion — again
For the second straight season, Vance High School is champion of The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football poll.
The school will receive a large banner to hang in its gym.
Vance (10-1) won its second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association class 4AA state championship this season and was one of three Observer-area teams to win championships.
Charlotte Catholic, which finished second in the final poll, won a fourth consecutive 3A state title.
No. 3 Salisbury won in 2AA after losing in the final in 2019, the last time a title game was held.
Vance’s football and girls basketball teams have each won back-to-back state championships and back-to-back Sweet 16 banners. The predominately Black school will change its name this summer to Chambers High, naming itself after the late local civil rights leader Julius Chambers and dropping the name of a former confederate military officer and N.C. governor, Zebulon Vance, who owned slaves.
Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll
| Rk. | School (Cl) | Rec |
| 1. | Vance (4A) | 10-1 |
| 2. | Charlotte Catholic (3A) | 9-1 |
| 3. | Salisbury (2A) | 9-2 |
| 4. | Hough (4A) | 8-1 |
| 5. | Weddington (3A) | 6-1 |
| 6. | Myers Park (4A) | 9-1 |
| 7. | Butler (4A) | 8-2 |
| 8. | Monroe (3A) | 7-3 |
| 9. | Kings Mountain (3A) | 8-1 |
| 10. | Richmond Senior (4A) | 4-1 |
| 11. | Providence (4A) | 7-2 |
| 12. | Lake Norman (4A) | 5-2 |
| 13. | Ardrey Kell (4A) | 6-2 |
| 14. | Shelby (2A) | 6-3 |
| 15. | Burns (2A) | 6-3 |
| 16. | Mount Pleasant (2A) | 8-1 |
Previous Champions
2019: Vance |
2018: Charlotte Christian |
2017: Rock Hill South Pointe |
2016: Rock Hill South Pointe |
2015: Charlotte Catholic |
2014: Mallard Creek |
2013: Mallard Creek |
2012: Butler |
2011: Rock Hill South Pointe |
2010: Butler |
2009: Butler |
2008: Rock Hill South Pointe |
2007: Charlotte Latin |
2006: Independence |
2005: Independence |
2004: Independence |
2003: Independence |
2002: Independence |
2001: Independence |
2000: Independence |
1999: Richmond Senior |
1998: Richmond Senior |
1997: Richmond Senior |
1996: Hickory |
1995: Spartanburg |
1994: Boiling Springs Crest |
1993: Rock Hill Northwestern |
1992: Timmonsville |
1991: Great Falls |
1990: Camden |
1989: Richmond Senior |
1988: Richmond Senior |
1987: Lewisville |
1986: Lewisville |
1985: Marshville Forest Hills |
1984: Marshville Forest Hills |
