News & Observer Sweet 16 poll: Three weeks, three No. 1 teams after a standings shuffle
One week after Cardinal Gibbons lost its hold on the top spot, newly minted No. 1 Rolesville likewise fell to a state title contender, once again throwing the area’s football hierarchy into disarray.
In that game, East Forsyth, likely the new top team in all of North Carolina 4A football, jumped out to a commanding halftime lead and bled the clock out in the second half to stifle the Rams.
Meanwhile, in Johnston County, the Cleveland Rams are proving there is life after Omarion Hampton. While the freshman at UNC was busy racking up 100-plus yards for the Tar Heels in his college debut this weekend, his former team was busy doing what it does best — winning.
Here’s how the Triangle Sweet 16 shakes out this week:
Triangle Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | Record |
| 1. | Cleveland | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 2. | Millbrook | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 3. | Wake Forest | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 4. | Hillside | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 5. | Cardinal Gibbons | NCHSAA 4A | 0-2 |
| 6. | Rolesville | NCHSAA 4A | 1-1 |
| 7. | Leesville Road | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 8. | Heritage | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 9. | Knightdale | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 10. | Middle Creek | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 11. | Sanderson | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 12. | Apex | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
| 13. | Ravenscroft | NCISAA | 2-0 |
| 14. | Apex Friendship | NCHSAA 4A | 1-1 |
| 15. | Holly Springs | NCHSAA 4A | 1-1 |
| 16. | Chapel Hill | NCHSAA 4A | 2-0 |
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM with the headline "News & Observer Sweet 16 poll: Three weeks, three No. 1 teams after a standings shuffle."