In a blockbuster Week 2 of NC high school football playoffs, who’s No. 1 in the Triangle?
Everyone loves an upset in the playoffs — except the top teams that lose, of course. Those who do like upsets were likely disappointed in the first round of the NCHSAA football playoffs.
This week has no chance of disappointing fans of good high school football games, though, and it starts at the top.
With the quirky playoff structure, two of the top teams in the East — and likely among the Top 10 in the state — will meet in Round 2 Friday when Millbook and Cardinal Gibbons clash. The Crusaders are currently No 2 in the Triangle Sweet 16, with Millbrook at No. 4.
Unbeaten No. 3 Hillside, slotted as the No. 1 team in the East by the NCHSAA, will host No. 9 Apex on Friday, while unbeaten Cleveland, our No. 1, will battle No. 6 Rolesville, and No. 5 Wake Forest hosts No. 7 Leesville Road.
Buckle up, Triangle football fans!
Here are this week’s rankings:
Triangle Sweet 16
| Rk. | School | Class | Record |
| 1. | Cleveland | NCHSAA 4A | 11-0 |
| 2. | Cardinal Gibbons | NCHSAA 4A | 9-2 |
| 3. | Hillside | NCHSAA 4A | 11-0 |
| 4. | Millbrook | NCHSAA 4A | 10-1 |
| 5. | Wake Forest | NCHSAA 4A | 9-2 |
| 6. | Rolesville | NCHSAA 4A | 9-2 |
| 7. | Leesville Rd. | NCHSAA 4A | 9-2 |
| 8. | Apex | NCHSAA 4A | 10-1 |
| 9. | Ravenscroft | NCISAA | 10-2 |
| 10. | Holly Springs | NCHSAA 4A | 9-2 |
| 11. | Southern Durham | NCHSAA 3A | 7-4 |
| 12. | Panther Creek | NCHSAA 4A | 7-4 |
| 13. | Heritage | NCHSAA 4A | 7-4 |
| 14. | Smithfield-Selma | NCHSAA 3A | 9-2 |
| 15. | Knightdale | NCHSAA 4A | 6-5 |
| 16. | Jordan | NCHSAA 4A | 5-6 |
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 11:30 AM with the headline "In a blockbuster Week 2 of NC high school football playoffs, who’s No. 1 in the Triangle?."