As NCHSAA playoffs loom, one new team enters Charlotte Observer Sweet 16. Who’s No. 1?
With the regular season in the rearview mirror for most teams, Weddington holds onto the top spot in The Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football poll.
The poll, started in 1984, ranks the top teams in the media company’s coverage area, which includes teams from the following counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Union and York and Lancaster counties in South Carolina.
This week, the top 10 teams remained the same, though Providence Day did make a jump up to No. 4 from No. 6. spots. We also saw one new team — North Lincoln — vault into the poll at No. 13, which knocked hard-luck Palisades from the list.
▪ Note: The poll is compiled by long time N.C. football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Observer’s “Talking Preps” streaming show.
| Rank | School | Record | Prev. |
| 1 | Weddington | (9-0) | 1 |
| 2 | Northwestern | (10-0) | 2 |
| 3 | Hough | (9-1) | 3 |
| 4 | Providence Day | (8-2) | 6 |
| 5 | Charlotte Catholic | (8-2) | 4 |
| 6 | Independence | (9-1) | 5 |
| 7 | Mallard Creek | (8-2) | 7 |
| 8 | West Charlotte | (7-2) | 9 |
| 9 | J.M. Robinson | (10-0) | 8 |
| 10 | Monroe | (9-0) | 10 |
| 11 | South Pointe | (8-2) | 14 |
| 12 | Mooresville | (9-1) | 11 |
| 13 | North Lincoln | (9-1) | NR |
| 14 | South Point | (7-1) | 13 |
| 15 | Charlotte Christian | (7-3) | 15 |
| 16 | Ashbrook | (8-2) | 12 |
