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