‘Kings of the Queen City’? Hough takes over No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16
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- Hough High claimed No. 1 spot in The Observer's Sweet 16 after key victory.
- Coach Shawn Baker declared Hough 'kings of the Queen City' postgame Friday.
- Sweet 16 ranks top teams across seven N.C. counties in public and private leagues.
After nationally ranked Hough High beat Rock Hill’s South Pointe in the Keep Pounding Classic on Friday afternoon, Huskies coach Shawn Baker took a postgame microphone and made a proclamation.
“We’re the kings of the Queen City,” he said.
Well, this week, the Huskies most certainly are, taking over the top spot in The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
South Pointe was the No. 1-ranked 4A team in South Carolina.
Hough moved up from a No. 3 preseason ranking, taking over the top spot from Providence Day, which rallied to beat Roman Catholic (PA) on Friday. Roman Catholic is the No. 5-ranked team in Pennsylvania, regardless of class.
The Sweet 16 is compiled by longtime N.C. high school football expert Chris Hughes and includes N.C. High School Athletic Association and N.C. Independent Schools teams from Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The team that is named champion at the end of the year will receive a large banner to hang in its gymnasium.
The Observer’s Sweet 16
Rank, School, Record, Previous
1. Hough (1-0) 3
2. Providence Day (1-0) 1
3. Mallard Creek (1-0) 5
4. Weddington (1-0) 4
5. Independence (1-0) 7
6. West Charlotte (0-1) 2
7. Charlotte Christian (1-0) 6
8. Myers Park (1-0) 12
9. Palisades (1-0) 15
10. South Point (1-0) NR
11. Ashbrook (1-0) 9
12. Monroe (1-0) 11
13. Mooresvile (0-1) 8
14. Statesville (1-0) 16
15. Charlotte Catholic (1-0) 14
16. Lake Norman (1-0) NR
This story was originally published August 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
