There’s a new No. 1 in the News & Observer Sweet 16 high school football poll
After a busy 48 hours of football Friday and Saturday, the Sweet 16 is getting a major shakeup heading into Week 3, including a new top team in the Triangle.
Cleveland was impressive this weekend and takes its place atop the standings after Week 2.
Cardinal Gibbons rebounded from an opening-night loss to a top Charlotte-area team to earn its first win of the year.
Sliding back and perhaps in danger of falling out of the poll if things don’t turn around is Rolesville, which dropped after a second straight loss to open the campaign.
Meanwhile, four previously unranked teams have made their way into the grid, including Green Hope, which debuts in the poll ll the way up at No. 10.
The News & Observer’s Sweet 16
| Rank | School | Record | Prev. |
| 1 | Cleveland | (2-0) | 2 |
| 2 | Cardinal Gibbons | (1-1) | 1 |
| 3 | Wake Forest | (2-0) | 4 |
| 4 | Leesville Road | (2-0) | 6 |
| 5 | Rolesville | (0-2) | 3 |
| 6 | Millbrook | (2-0) | 7 |
| 7 | Princeton | (2-0) | 8 |
| 8 | Heritage | (2-0) | 9 |
| 9 | Panther Creek | (1-1) | 5 |
| 10 | Green Hope | (2-0) | NR |
| 11 | Holly Springs | (1-1) | 13 |
| 12 | Fuquay-Varina | (2-0) | NR |
| 13 | South Garner | (2-0) | NR |
| 14 | Hillside | (1-1) | 11 |
| 15 | Wakefield | (1-1) | NR |
| 16 | Apex Friendship | (0-2) | 10 |
This story was originally published August 29, 2021 at 6:30 AM.