News & Observer Sweet 16: Another change at the top of the rankings, with a new No. 1
After a couple of weeks finding itself, Cardinal Gibbons has returned to the pinnacle of the Triangle football world. The Crusaders have found themselves atop the N&O’s weekly Sweet 16 for the second time in four weeks after a convincing win over No. 3 Wake Forest High.
Wake Forest, despite the loss, remained at No. 3, behind Gibbons and No. 2 Cleveland, who dropped from the top spot despite a more-than-convincing win to remain unbeaten. The problem with rating Cleveland at the moment is the strength-of-schedule inequity.
Millbrook moved its way into the Top 5 with another win to run to 4-0, while Leesville Road slipped to sixth.
Knightdale is the one newcomer this week, debuting at No. 10.
News & Observer Sweet 16
| Rank | School | Record | Prev. |
| 1 | Cardinal Gibbons | (3-1) | 2 |
| 2 | Cleveland | (3-0) | 1 |
| 3 | Wake Forest | (3-1) | 3 |
| 4 | Millbrook | (4-0) | 6 |
| 5 | Rolesville | (2-2) | 5 |
| 6 | Leesville Road | (3-0) | 4 |
| 7 | Heritage | (4-0) | 8 |
| 8 | Princeton | (3-0) | 7 |
| 9 | Wakefield | (3-1) | 11 |
| 10 | Knightdale | (1-1) | NR |
| 11 | Panther Creek | (2-1) | 10 |
| 12 | Hillside | (2-2) | 9 |
| 13 | South Garner | (4-0) | 13 |
| 14 | Green Hope | (2-0) | 12 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill | (3-0) | 15 |
| 16 | Fuquay-Varina | (3-1) | 14 |