The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll, a fixture since 1984, ranks the top high school football teams across Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties. The list has long served as a barometer for the region’s competitive balance, highlighting programs that consistently contend for state titles.
A comeback story in the Sweet 16
Among the newcomers this year is A.L. Brown of Kannapolis, a school that once dominated the local scene with two state championships. After a stretch from 2021 through 2023 in which the Wonders failed to win more than six games in a season, the program appeared to be at a crossroads.
Under the guidance of former player Justin Hardin, the Wonders posted an 8‑4 record in 2023 and have carried that momentum into the current campaign. A 44‑6 victory over Concord not only secured a 2‑0 start but also demonstrated a dramatic turnaround, with the team outscoring its first two opponents 86‑16.
The reward for the poll’s top team is a large banner to hang in the gymnasium, a tangible symbol of the community’s pride. As the Wonders continue to climb, the poll’s observers say the resurgence adds a fresh narrative to a tradition that has shaped high school football in the Charlotte metro area for decades.