Two familiar teams are back in The Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football poll
Two new teams join The Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football poll this week.
Mallard Creek, which began the season 1-2, has won three consecutive games after Friday’s 47-7 win over Hopewell. The Mavericks beat Myers Park 21-3 to start the year then lost two games in a row against reigning state champions from South Carolina and Georgia. The following week, the Mavericks beat another state champ from South Carolina and have been rolling.
Mallard Creek has allowed just 26 points in its win streak, and other than a 56-7 loss on the road at Buford (GA), which is ranked No. 7 nationally by MaxPreps, the Mavericks are allowing nine points per game.
Also new to the poll this week are the Mooresville Blue Devils. Mooresville, a 4A team, has won three consecutive games since losing 34-6 to Hough. The Blue Devils are averaging nearly 40 points in that win streak, which includes Friday’s win over Hickory Ridge (3-3), which had been ranked in the poll all season.
The Observer’s Sweet 16 Poll
| Rk. | School | Class | Record | Prvs. |
| 1. | Providence Day | IND | 5-0 | 1 |
| 2. | Hough | 4A | 4-1 | 3 |
| 3. | Chambers | 4A | 4-2 | 2 |
| 4. | Charlotte Catholic | 4A | 4-1 | 4 |
| 5. | Kings Mountain | 3A | 6-0 | 5 |
| 6. | Weddington | 4A | 4-1 | 6 |
| 7. | Charlotte Christian | IND | 4-1 | 7 |
| 8. | Butler | 4A | 5-1 | 8 |
| 9. | Ardrey Kell | 4A | 4-1 | 9 |
| 10. | Olympic | 4A | 5-0 | 10 |
| 11. | South Point | 3A | 5-0 | 11 |
| 12. | Independence | 4A | 4-1 | 12 |
| 13. | Mallard Creek | 4A | 4-2 | NR |
| 14. | Maiden | 2A | 4-1 | 14 |
| 15. | Mooresville | 4A | 4-1 | NR |
| 16. | East Lincoln | 3A | 5-0 | 16 |
Dropped out: Hickory Ridge (4A, 3-3); Monroe (2A, 5-1). Also receiving consideration: Burns (2A, 4-1). Watauga (4A, 4-1); Lake Norman (4A, 5-0); Crest (3A, 4-1); West Rowan (3A, 5-1); Porter Ridge (4A, 3-2)
This story was originally published September 25, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
