Cardinal Gibbons is the News & Observer Sweet 16 high school football champion
After winning its first N.C. 4A state championship, Cardinal Gibbons is the News & Observer Sweet 16 champion.
The newspaper started the ranking earlier this year to measure the top teams in the area.
Gibbons upset nationally ranked Chambers High 14-2 at N.C. State earlier this month to win the championship.
| Rank | School | Record | Prev. |
| 1 | Cardinal Gibbons | (13-2) | 1 |
| 2 | Rolesville | (9-6) | 2 |
| 3 | Princeton | (13-1) | 3 |
| 4 | Cleveland | (11-1) | 4 |
| 5 | Leesville Road | (10-3) | 5 |
| 6 | Panther Creek | (10-4) | 6 |
| 7 | Millbrook | (11-2) | 7 |
| 8 | Cary Christian | (9-2) | 8 |
| 9 | Knightdale | (6-6) | 9 |
| 10 | Heritage | (10-2) | 10 |
| 11 | Wake Forest | (8-4) | 11 |
| 12 | Hillside | (8-3) | 12 |
| 13 | Smithfield-Selma | (8-4) | 13 |
| 14 | Sanderson | (5-4) | 14 |
| 15 | Middle Creek | (8-3) | 15 |
| 16 | Holly Springs | (7-4) | 16 |