Charlotte Catholic is back in the Sweet 16 football poll. Where do Cougars rank?
Welcome back to The Observer’s Sweet 16 high school football poll, Charlotte Catholic.
The longtime North Carolina power is off to a 3-1 start after Friday’s 28-21 win over Kings Mountain at home. Catholic bounced back with a big home win after a 32-7 loss to No. 2 Providence Day the week prior.
The Sweet 16, which began in 1984, ranks the top teams in the media company’s coverage zone. It includes teams in the following counties that are sanctioned by the N.C High School Athletic Association or the N.C. Independent Schools: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union.
The poll is compiled by longtime N.C. prep football expert Chris Hughes, a co-host of The Observer’s streaming Talking Preps show.
Quick links
Talking Preps Week 4 postgame show (multiple coaches join the show) West Charlotte’s KD Cotton transfers to Weddington
No. 1 Hough holds off Mooresville upset bid behind monster game from Samari Matthews
No. 4 Mallard Creek uses size to rally past No. 3 Myers Park
No. 13 Palisades beats No. 14 Chambers for historic start Samari Matthews’ heroics help Hough slip past Mooresville
The Sweet 16 poll
Rk., School., Rec., Prvs.
1. Hough (4-0), 1
2. Providence Day (4-0), 2
3. Mallard Creek (3-1), 4
4. Myers Park (3-1), 3
5. Weddington (3-1), 6
6. Independence (3-1), 7
7. West Charlotte (2-2), 5
8. East Lincoln (4-0), 11
9. Lake Norman (3-1), 8
10. Mooresville (2-2), 10
11. South Point (3-0), 9
12. Ashbrook (4-0), 12
13. Palisades (3-1), 13
14. Chambers (3-1), 14
15. Charlotte Catholic (3-1), NR
16. Statesville (4-0), 16
This story was originally published September 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
