Rolesville, Cardinal Gibbons Rejoin NC Football Rankings
The statewide high school football rankings include four new entries after a busy weekend of play across North Carolina.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Football
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Statewide high school football rankings were updated following a weekend of competition where Rolesville and Cardinal Gibbons both re-entered the top 25. The polls, sponsored by media organizations, now reflect the latest performance data for teams across the state.
Why it matters
Regular season rankings provide critical benchmarks for teams competing across the eight NCHSAA classifications and two private school categories. These updates highlight top performers as programs prepare for the final week of regular season play.
Rolesville holds a 6-2-1 season record following a 35-0 win over Leesville Road, while Cardinal Gibbons maintains a 6-3 record after defeating Sanderson 50-12.
The players
Rolesville
This North Carolina high school football program holds a 6-2-1 record and rejoined the state's Super 25 rankings.
Cardinal Gibbons
Based in Raleigh, this high school football team boasts a 6-3 record and recently re-entered the top 25 statewide rankings.
The Charlotte Observer
This media organization serves as one of the primary sponsors for the high school football rankings in North Carolina.
News & Observer
Based in Raleigh, this news outlet co-sponsors the statewide high school football polls alongside other media partners.
The details
The rankings encompass 11 distinct polls produced by The Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh. These evaluations assess squads from the eight NCHSAA classifications and two private school categories as they conclude their schedules.
Timeline
Friday: Rolesville and Cardinal Gibbons played their respective games.
October 25, 2026: The statewide rankings were updated and published.
Next week: The final week of the regular season occurs.
Season Trajectory
The rankings follow the NCHSAA classification structure which groups schools by size for fair competition. These updates influence the perception of team strength as programs navigate their final games before the postseason begins.
Fans and observers can track how these ranking shifts influence the playoff landscape for the final week of regular play. The recent victories for Rolesville and Cardinal Gibbons improve their standing significantly as the regular season concludes.
The takeaway
Maintaining a strong record through the final week is essential for teams looking to secure favorable spots in upcoming postseason brackets. Consistency in these media-sponsored polls serves as a key indicator of momentum heading into the playoffs.
What happens next
The final week of the regular season will take place next week, leading directly into upcoming playoff tournament announcements.
Further reading
For more on high-school athletic standings, visit North Carolina Football.
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