In the final regular-season Sweet 16 poll, a Union County team joins the rankings
With most teams taking the week off, there are few changes in the Sweet 16 high school football poll this week.
The poll, which began in the 1984-85 school year, ranks the top teams in The Charlotte Observer’s coverage area. Currently that includes teams in these counties: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln Union and York, and Lancaster in South Carolina.
One new team joins the poll this week. Union County power Sun Valley (8-2) is in. The Spartans have won two in a row and six of their past seven games.
▪ This is the final Sweet 16 poll until a final poll is released after the NCHSAA playoffs, when a champion is named. The championship team will receive a banner to hang in its gym.
Note: The poll is compiled by longtime N.C. prep football expert Chris Hughes.
| Rank | School | Record | Prev. |
| 1 | Weddington | (9-0) | 1 |
| 2 | Northwestern | (10-0) | 2 |
| 3 | Hough | (9-1) | 3 |
| 4 | Providence Day | (9-2) | 4 |
| 5 | Charlotte Catholic | (8-2) | 5 |
| 6 | Independence | (9-1) | 6 |
| 7 | Mallard Creek | (8-2) | 7 |
| 8 | West Charlotte | (7-2) | 8 |
| 9 | J.M. Robinson | (10-0) | 9 |
| 10 | Monroe | (9-0) | 10 |
| 11 | South Pointe | (8-2) | 11 |
| 12 | Mooresville | (9-1) | 12 |
| 13 | South Point | (8-1) | 14 |
| 14 | North Lincoln | (9-1) | 13 |
| 15 | Ashbrook | (8-2) | 16 |
| 16 | Sun Valley | (8-2) | NR |
