East Lincoln debuts in Sweet 16 after big wins over South Iredell, Providence
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- East Lincoln enters Sweet 16 poll at No. 15 after dominant 2-0 season start.
- Quarterback Grant Lawless sets school records with 450 passing yards and 8 TDs.
- Mustangs defeat 8A Providence 55-24, highlighting success over larger schools.
After an impressive start to its season, East Lincoln makes its season debut in The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.
After a 60-35 win over South Iredell to start the season, the Mustangs whipped Providence 55-24 Friday, beating a much larger school.
East Lincoln (2-0) — ranked No. 15 this week — is a 5A school. Providence (1-1) plays in the state’s largest classification, 8A.
In the season-opening win, Grant Lawless set an East Lincoln school record with 450 yards passing. He also set a school record with eight total touchdowns (four rushing, four passing). Against Providence, he threw two more touchdown passes.
The Sweet 16 ranks N.C. High School Athletic Association and N.C. Independent School Athletic Association teams in The Observer’s coverage area, which includes schools in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties.
The poll is compiled by longtime N.C. high school football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Observer’s long-running Talking Preps streaming show.
The Observer’s Sweet 16
Rk, School, Rec, Prvs.
1. Hough (2-0), 1
2. Providence Day (2-0), 2
3. Mallard Creek (2-0), 3
4. West Charlotte (1-1), 6
5. Myers Park (2-0), 8
6. Weddington (1-1), 4
7. Palisades (2-0), 9
8. Independence (1-1), 5
9. South Point (1-0), 10
10. Ashbrook (2-0), 11
11. Lake Norman (2-0), 16
12. Mooresville (1-1), 13
13. Charlotte Catholic (2-0), 15
14. Statesville (2-0), 14
15. East Lincoln (2-0), NR
16. Monroe (1-1), 12
This story was originally published August 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
