BIRMINGHAM, AL – Georgia Southern scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter to break open a tight game and defeat App State 29-10 in the JLab Birmingham Bowl on Monday at Protective Stadium.

The Eagles (7-6) led just 13-7 at halftime before exploding for two quick touchdowns in a span of less than five minutes early in the third quarter. Georgia Southern's offense totaled 413 yards and converted 5 of 11 third-down attempts, while the defense forced four interceptions to stifle the Mountaineers' comeback hopes.

App State (5-8) played without numerous regulars but remained competitive through two quarters before Georgia Southern's offensive burst proved too much to overcome. The Mountaineers advanced inside the Eagles' 40-yard line on seven possessions but managed just one touchdown, with four interceptions and a missed field goal ending promising drives.

Redshirt freshman Matt Wilson made his collegiate debut for App State and delivered a memorable performance, completing 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards while rushing for 110 yards on 12 carries. Wilson's 110 rushing yards marked just the fourth 100-yard rushing game by an App State quarterback in the FBS era. His 6-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining in the first half brought the Mountaineers within 10-7, capping a seven-play, 53-yard drive.

True freshman Noah Gillon made his first career start at quarterback for App State, completing 4 of 7 passes for 64 yards. His 34-yard completion to senior Dalton Stroman set up Wilson's touchdown before halftime. Stroman finished with three catches for 96 yards in his final game, ending his career atop the program's all-time yards-per-catch list.

Georgia Southern answered Wilson's touchdown with a 36-yard field goal from Tripp Bryant as time expired in the first half, extending the lead to 13-7. The Eagles then seized control with two lightning-quick scoring drives to open the third quarter.

Running back OJ Arnold broke loose for a 58-yard gain on the first play of the second half, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by Weston Bryan 82 seconds into the quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Georgia Southern ahead 19-7.

The Eagles forced an interception on the Mountaineers' next possession, and quarterback JC French IV immediately capitalized. French connected with Marcus Sanders Jr. for a 20-yard gain, then found him again for a 32-yard touchdown strike just 89 seconds after the previous score. Bryant's extra point made it 26-7 with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

App State responded with a methodical nine-play, 66-yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes. Wilson connected with Stroman for 42 yards on the drive's key play, and Dominic De Freitas kicked a 27-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 26-10 with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter.

The Mountaineers' defense came up with a crucial stop when cornerback Ethan Johnson intercepted French on Georgia Southern's next possession. However, App State's offense stalled and punted from its own 45 early in the fourth quarter.

Georgia Southern put the game away with a grinding 17-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 10 minutes and 2 seconds. The Eagles converted three third downs on the march, including a 10-yard completion from French to Terrance Gibbs on third-and-8 from the Georgia Southern 46. Bryant capped the drive with a 27-yard field goal with 3:57 remaining, extending the lead to 29-10.

App State's final possession ended when Georgia Southern's Devin Collier intercepted Wilson at the 2-yard line with 59 seconds remaining.

French completed 18 of 27 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Georgia Southern. Arnold rushed 11 times for 152 yards, averaging 13.8 yards per carry. Sanders Jr. caught five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Jaquari Lewis led the Mountaineers with 16 carries for 55 yards and added five catches for 35 yards. Linebacker Colton Phares paced the defense with 12 tackles, capping a season in which he recorded 101 stops.

Georgia Southern controlled possession for 30 minutes and 35 seconds and outgained App State 242-187 on the ground. The Eagles went 5-for-5 in the red zone, scoring two touchdowns and three field goals. Bryant converted all three field goal attempts, connecting from 23, 36 and 27 yards.

The Mountaineers went 3-for-10 on third down and turned the ball over four times via interception. Defensive back Dorrian Smith recorded two of Georgia Southern's four interceptions.

App State played with approximately 65 available players, including numerous athletes who returned to campus after initially entering the transfer portal. Five fifth-year seniors started for the Mountaineers alongside Johnson, a fourth-year senior, in what proved to be their final college game.

The loss snapped App State's three-game bowl winning streak and marked the program's ninth bowl appearance at the FBS level. Georgia Southern won its second bowl game in three seasons.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – East Carolina secured a 23-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, claiming its ninth win of the season and second consecutive bowl victory.

True freshman Chaston Ditta, making his first career start at quarterback, completed 8 of 17 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring strikes went to wide receiver Anthony Smith, who was named the game's MVP after catching four passes for 156 yards. Smith's touchdown receptions of 47 and 72 yards proved to be the difference in a game that featured five Pittsburgh turnovers.

The Pirates improved to 9-0 when scoring first this season after Nick Mazzie connected on a 42-yard field goal with 11:42 remaining in the second quarter to give East Carolina a 3-0 lead. Pittsburgh responded with a 10-play, 77-yard drive capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mason Heintschel to Raphael Williams Jr. with four seconds left in the first half, sending the Panthers into the break with a 7-3 advantage.

The third quarter belonged to East Carolina. After Pittsburgh had driven to the East Carolina 44 on the opening possession of the second half, Heintschel was sacked and fumbled. Kendrick DuJour recovered at the Pittsburgh 47, and on the very next play, Ditta found Smith for a 47-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave the Pirates a 10-7 lead just seven seconds into the drive.

Pittsburgh answered quickly when Rasheem Biles returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown at the 4:33 mark of the third quarter, putting the Panthers back in front 14-10. The lead lasted only 35 seconds. Ditta connected with Smith again, this time for a 72-yard touchdown on a two-play, 75-yard drive that gave East Carolina a 17-14 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

The Pirates extended their lead to 20-14 on Mazzie's 33-yard field goal with 14:18 remaining in the game, capping a seven-play, 19-yard drive that started after another Pittsburgh turnover. Mazzie added a 28-yard field goal with 6:41 left to push the margin to nine points at 23-14.

Pittsburgh mounted a furious rally in the final minutes. Heintschel, who finished 25 of 40 for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception, led a 14-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal by Trey Butkowski with 1:23 remaining. The Panthers' onside kick attempt traveled only seven yards and was recovered by East Carolina at the Pittsburgh 42.

The Pirates ran three plays and punted with 57 seconds left, giving Pittsburgh one final chance from its own 20-yard line. Heintschel completed passes to Justin Holmes and Justin Cook to move the chains, but a pass interference penalty on Raphael Williams Jr. pushed the ball back to the Pittsburgh 34. Heintschel's final rush ended at the 38-yard line as time expired.

Pittsburgh's ground game produced 120 yards on 40 carries, led by Ja'Kyrian Turner's 93 yards on 16 attempts. However, the Panthers' four fumbles lost proved costly. Turner fumbled twice, while Kenny Johnson and Heintschel each lost one fumble. East Carolina's defense also recorded an interception by Kevon Merrell, who returned it 70 yards to set up the Pirates' third field goal.

Heintschel was sacked four times by the East Carolina defense. DuJour led the pass rush with two sacks for 18 yards, while Jasiyah Robinson added 1.5 sacks for 12 yards. The Pirates finished with seven tackles for loss totaling 45 yards.

For Pittsburgh, Holmes led all receivers with six catches for 100 yards, while Cook added six receptions for 30 yards and rushed for 28 yards on eight carries. Williams caught five passes for 57 yards and the Panthers' only receiving touchdown.

East Carolina's ground game managed just 72 yards on 42 attempts, with Marlon Gunn Jr. leading the way with 50 yards on 18 carries. The Pirates' offensive success came through the air, where Ditta averaged 22.1 yards per completion.

Teagan Wilk paced the East Carolina defense with nine tackles, including six solo stops, and forced a fumble. Fumble recoveries by DuJour, Jordy Lowery, Jackson Barker and J.D. Lampley gave the Pirates four takeaways on fumbles alone.

Pittsburgh controlled time of possession 33:05 to 26:55 and held advantages in first downs (24-11) and total offense yards (376-249). The Panthers converted 5 of 15 third-down attempts and 3 of 5 fourth-down tries. East Carolina converted just 2 of 15 third downs but capitalized on Pittsburgh's mistakes.

The victory marked East Carolina's 12th bowl win in program history and improved the Pirates' all-time bowl record to 12-11. The nine-win season was the program's first since 2013 when the Pirates won 10 games. East Carolina has now won three consecutive bowl games, matching the program's longest bowl winning streak set from 1963-65.

Top Performers:

• Anthony Smith (ECU): 4 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TDs
• Mason Heintschel (Pitt): 25-40, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Chaston Ditta (ECU): 8-17, 177 yards, 2 TDs
• Justin Holmes (Pitt): 6 receptions, 100 yards
• Ja'Kyrian Turner (Pitt): 16 carries, 93 yards

TAMPA, FL – NC State closed its season with authority Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, riding a dominant first-half performance to a 31-7 victory over Memphis in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.

The Wolfpack scored all 31 points before halftime, with quarterback CJ Bailey accounting for three touchdowns in a performance that showcased both his versatility and command of the offense. Bailey rushed for one score and threw for two more, finishing 14-of-25 for 221 yards through the air while adding a 14-yard touchdown run.

The victory marked NC State's first bowl win since 2017 and gave the program its eighth win of the season, the fifth time in six years the Wolfpack has reached that mark.

The scoring started early when Bailey capped a seven-play, 75-yard opening drive with his rushing touchdown at the 11:32 mark of the first quarter. Both of Bailey's pass attempts on the drive went for more than 20 yards before he kept it himself for the score, his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

The Pack defense forced a three-and-out and a turnover on downs on Memphis's first two possessions. NC State converted the latter into points when Bailey found Wesley Grimes for a 31-yard touchdown strike at the 3:21 mark, giving the Wolfpack a 14-0 lead. Grimes absorbed a hard hit near the goal line but fought his way into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.

The game's turning point came on Memphis's next possession. Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed passes to Marcello Bussey for gains of 24 and six yards to move into NC State territory. But on second-and-six from the NC State 49, Lewis's pass was tipped at the line and intercepted by linebacker Caden Fordham at the NC State 42.

Fordham, who would be named the game's MVP and become the first defensive player to earn that honor in Gasparilla Bowl history, sprinted 55 yards down the sideline before being brought down at the Memphis 3-yard line by Bryce Anderson. The return marked the second-longest by an NC State player in a bowl game since 2008.

Will Wilson finished the short drive two plays later, punching it in from one yard out for his 10th rushing touchdown of the season. The score came just 14 seconds into the second quarter, extending the lead to 21-0. Wilson's 10 rushing touchdowns tie him with Philip Rivers for the second-most in a season by an NC State quarterback, trailing only Scott Smith's 13 in 1979.

The Wolfpack added a 51-yard field goal by Kanoah Vinesett at the 8:03 mark of the second quarter to make it 24-0. The kick was a season-long for Vinesett, who finished the year 6-of-7 on field goal attempts and perfect from beyond 30 yards.

Memphis finally got on the board with a methodical eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Jamari Hawkins with 4:59 remaining in the half, cutting the deficit to 24-7.

But NC State answered immediately. On the first play after the kickoff, redshirt freshman running back Jayden "Duke" Scott burst through the middle for a 35-yard run to the Memphis 40. Two plays later, Bailey threw deep to Teddy Hoffmann, who hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 left in the half to push the advantage to 31-7. The touchdown was Hoffmann's third of the season, and the score in his home state of Florida capped a dominant first-half performance.

The 31 first-half points were the most for NC State in a half of a bowl game in the last 30 seasons, surpassing the previous high of 28 points. It was also the most scored in a half by any team in Gasparilla Bowl history and the fourth-most by an ACC team in any bowl game over the last 30 years.

The second half turned into a defensive struggle, with neither team able to reach the end zone. The two sides combined for five punts, four turnovers on downs, and a lost fumble. It marked the first time either team had been shut out in a half all season and the first scoreless half for NC State in a bowl game since a 14-0 victory over South Florida on New Year's Eve 2005.

Scott led all rushers with 108 yards on 19 carries in just his second collegiate start, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. He became the fourth NC State player in the last 30 seasons to rush for 100 or more yards in a bowl game. Bailey added 30 rushing yards on seven attempts despite being sacked three times.

Wolfpack receivers averaged 15.8 yards per reception for the game, with eight different players recording catches of 15 or more yards. It was the first time NC State had eight or more players with a 15-plus-yard catch in the same game since 2010 at Georgia Tech and the first time an ACC team accomplished that feat in a bowl game since Maryland on New Year's Day 2004.

Grimes finished with three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Hoffmann's lone reception went for 40 yards and a score. Noah Rogers added two catches for 37 yards, and Dante Daniels contributed one reception for 22 yards.

Bailey became the only NC State player to have multiple passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in a bowl game in the last 30 seasons. He also became the first ACC player to record 200 or more passing yards, two or more passing touchdowns, and one or more rushing touchdowns in a bowl game since Trevor Lawrence in 2021. With 165 passing yards in the first half alone, Bailey became the seventh quarterback in NC State history to reach 3,000 passing yards in a season, finishing the year with 3,105 yards, good for ninth all-time in program history for a single season.

Fordham paced the defense with 13 tackles (five solo, eight assisted) to go along with his interception return, recording his ninth game of 10 or more tackles this season. The performance gave him 140 tackles for the year, the most in a season for NC State since Earl Wolff in 2012. As the leading tackler among Power Four conference players, Fordham also added 1.5 tackles for loss.

Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. contributed 12 tackles, while Devon Marshall added eight stops and a pass breakup. Defensive end Joseph Adedire recorded a sack and recovered a fumble that Josiah Victor forced. Tra Thomas also had a sack, finishing off Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis for an 11-yard loss in the second quarter.

Memphis quarterback Lewis completed 14 of 25 passes for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception before giving way to AJ Hill in the fourth quarter. Hill went 6-of-7 for 48 yards in relief. Khyair Spain led the Tigers' ground game with 65 yards on nine carries.

NC State converted 5 of 13 third-down attempts and held Memphis to just 7 points, becoming the first ACC team to hold an opponent to seven or fewer points and win by 24 or more in a bowl game since Virginia in 2018. The 24-point lead entering the fourth quarter was the largest for NC State heading into a final period of a bowl game in the last 30 seasons, and the game marked the eighth straight contest decided by 10 or more points for the Wolfpack.

The victory improved head coach Dave Doeren's record to eight or more wins in seven of the last nine seasons. NC State finished 8-5 overall and 6-0 when leading at halftime this season.

DURHAM – Crest High School captured its first state championship in a decade, defeating Hunt High School 31-14 in the NCHSAA 5A state title game at Durham County Stadium on December 12, 2025.

Second-year Crest coach Greg Lloyd returned to his alma mater and delivered a championship in his second season. The Chargers (13-2) built a 24-7 halftime lead behind senior quarterback Ely Hamrick, who accounted for 320 yards of total offense and was named game MVP. Hunt (12-3) fell to 0-2 all-time in state championship games, having previously lost in 2004.

Hamrick, a senior Virginia commit who transferred to Crest mid-season after being displaced by Hurricane Helene while attending A.C. Reynolds, completed 17 of 25 passes for 233 yards while rushing 15 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Senior receiver Michael Edwards added 95 rushing yards and two scores on nine carries, plus six receptions for 85 yards.

Hunt sixth-year coach Juan Jackson watched his Warriors strike first when senior quarterback Mez Harris called his own number on a 2-yard touchdown run at the 5:42 mark of the opening quarter. Harris capped a five-play, 37-yard drive after sophomore running back Doryan Jones converted two critical third downs, including a 15-yard run on third-and-13 and an 18-yard gain on third-and-10.

Crest responded with a seven-play, 94-yard touchdown drive that covered 3 minutes and 3 seconds. After Hunt defensive back Javion Hopper intercepted Harris at the Crest 6-yard line, the Chargers faced second-and-15 from their own 1-yard line following a sack by Hunt linebacker Judah Harris. Hamrick then connected with receiver Namajay Thompson for 49 yards to the Crest 50, sparking the comeback. Running back Jason Black rushed for 13 yards on the next play, and Edwards finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run after a horse collar tackle penalty moved the ball to the 1-yard line. Carson Grier’s extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 1:29 remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to Crest, which scored on all three possessions to seize control. Pregame tensions between the teams carried into the game, with officials calling multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties to maintain order. Edwards broke a 35-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 from the Hunt 35 to give the Chargers a 14-7 lead at 9:17, finishing a seven-play, 55-yard drive. The Warriors managed only 16 yards on their next possession before punting.

Crest then engineered a 10-play, 66-yard scoring drive that consumed 3 minutes and 51 seconds. Hamrick rushed for 15 yards on second-and-1 to reach Hunt territory, and Black carried for 16 yards on second-and-12 to extend the drive. Hamrick scored from 1 yard out to push the advantage to 21-7 with 2:06 left in the half.

Hunt answered immediately when Harris scrambled out of the pocket and raced 80 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the ensuing drive, cutting the deficit to 21-14 with 1:42 remaining before halftime. Harris had called his own number for the second time, producing the longest run from scrimmage for either team.

Crest used the final 1:36 of the half to drive 79 yards in seven plays, with Hamrick completing a 50-yard pass to receiver D’various Surratt to set up Grier’s 27-yard field goal as time expired. The Chargers took a 24-14 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter featured another methodical Crest scoring drive. The Chargers used 10 plays to cover 80 yards in 5 minutes and 4 seconds, converting four third downs along the way. Hamrick completed a 15-yard pass to receiver Brock Melton on third-and-10, then finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 31-14 with 9:56 left in the period.

Hunt mounted its best drive of the second half immediately after, advancing 60 yards on 11 plays. Jones rushed for 28 yards on third-and-8, and Harris added a 16-yard run on the next play. The Warriors reached the Crest 22 before Will Doll’s 38-yard field goal attempt missed wide at the 5:10 mark of the third quarter.

The game’s outcome was effectively decided when Crest took over at its own 22 following the missed field goal. The Chargers converted four consecutive third downs and drove to the Hunt 24 before Harris intercepted Hamrick at the Hunt 10-yard line with 7 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Lloyd’s defense shut out Hunt in the second half, holding the Warriors to just 70 total yards after halftime. Hunt’s offense managed just 10 net rushing yards in the fourth quarter on seven attempts. The Warriors fumbled on their second possession of the period, with Hopper recovering at the Hunt 48. Crest drove to the Hunt 4 before Edwards fumbled, with Hunt defensive back Jake Harris recovering with 1:26 remaining.

Crest held decisive advantages in total offense (555-217), first downs (25-9) and time of possession (30:32-17:28). The Chargers rushed for 322 yards on 47 attempts, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

Harris finished with 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries for Hunt, while Jones added 100 yards on 16 attempts. Harris completed zero passes on six attempts with one interception, staying true to Hunt’s run-heavy approach that averaged just 10 pass attempts per game during the season.

Black led Crest’s ground game with 119 yards on 19 carries. Thompson caught six passes for 61 yards, and Edwards hauled in six receptions for 85 yards.

Hunt committed 11 penalties for 84 yards, while Crest was flagged 13 times for 130 yards, reflecting the chippy nature of the contest that began with pregame confrontations.

“Tonight was a special night,” Lloyd said. “I’m lucky to have the job that I’ve had this year, the last couple years at a place I love. I couldn’t be more proud to bring home the seventh state championship for Crest High School. It’s just a blessing.”

Top Performers

• Ely Hamrick, Crest: 17-of-25 passing, 233 yards; 15 rushes, 87 yards, 2 TD
• Michael Edwards, Crest: 9 rushes, 95 yards, 2 TD; 6 receptions, 85 yards
• Jason Black, Crest: 19 rushes, 119 yards
• Mez Harris, Hunt: 11 rushes, 103 yards, 2 TD; 1 interception
• Doryan Jones, Hunt: 16 rushes, 100 yards

HICKORY – Tarboro captured its 10th NCHSAA state championship and second consecutive title with a 22-0 shutout of Murphy on Friday night at Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium at Lenoir-Rhyne University, continuing a dynasty that has produced four crowns in the past six years.

The first-time championship matchup between two programs with rich title traditions brought eastern and western North Carolina together at a neutral site roughly equidistant from both schools. Tarboro coach Jeff Craddock's Vikings improved to 14-0, while Murphy finished 12-2 in its bid for another state crown.

Kamerin McDowell-Moore powered the Vikings with 190 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, including a 70-yard scoring run that opened the floodgates in the third quarter. The senior running back averaged 11.2 yards per carry and added 15 tackles on defense, delivering a complete performance on both sides of the ball.

Murphy controlled possession for much of the first half, holding the ball for nearly 21 minutes while Tarboro had just over nine minutes. The Bulldogs moved the ball methodically behind Cameron Clem, who rushed 23 times for 64 yards, and quarterback Brady Grant, who completed 12 of 19 passes for 125 yards.

The Bulldogs drove deep into Tarboro territory on their opening possession, reaching the Vikings 19-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Murphy converted on fourth-and-one early in the second quarter and pushed into the red zone, getting as close as the Tarboro 24 before another turnover on downs with 5:24 left in the half.

Tarboro took advantage of the momentum shift. Starting from their own 30-yard line with 1:44 remaining in the second quarter after an interception by Carmello Bullock, the Vikings marched 47 yards in seven plays. McDowell-Moore gained nine yards to the Murphy 41, then the Vikings benefited from a 15-yard face mask penalty. Antonio Draughn Jr. picked up three yards for a first down, and Tyler Powell rushed 15 yards to the Murphy 23 as time expired.

The third quarter belonged to Tarboro. On the first play from scrimmage after halftime, McDowell-Moore broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run at 11:43. Angel Gaytan-Medina's extra point attempt was blocked by Dalton Farmer, leaving the score 6-0.

Murphy responded with a 12-play drive that reached the Tarboro 41, but Clem was stopped for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-one. The Vikings took over and drove 59 yards in 10 plays, reaching the Murphy 29 before punting with 3:40 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs started the ensuing drive at their own one-yard line. After three plays netted just three yards, Grant completed an 11-yard pass to Clem on third-and-eight for a first down. On the next play, Grant rushed 15 yards but fumbled at the Murphy 19. McDowell-Moore forced the fumble, and Bullock recovered at the Murphy 26 with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter.

Tarboro needed just four plays to capitalize. McDowell-Moore gained five yards on third-and-five, then broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter at 11:32. Caiden Evans' two-point conversion attempt failed, making it 12-0.

The Vikings defense continued to pressure Grant, who was sacked three times for 34 yards. Donovan Willis recorded one sack for four yards and finished with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss. Tyler Powell had two sacks for 30 yards and added three tackles for loss.

Murphy's final chance to score ended in disaster. After a short punt gave the Bulldogs the ball at their own seven-yard line following two delay of game penalties, Grant was sacked in the end zone by Willis for a safety with 3:55 left in the game, extending Tarboro's lead to 14-0.

Following the free kick, the Vikings needed just one play to seal the victory. McDowell-Moore took a handoff and raced 27 yards for his third touchdown at 3:50. Powell converted the two-point attempt, making the final score 22-0.

Tarboro finished with 282 rushing yards on 41 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Evans added 38 yards on nine carries, and Powell rushed for 24 yards on four attempts while also playing quarterback and completing the two-point conversion.

Murphy gained 218 total yards but managed just 93 yards rushing on 44 attempts, averaging 2.1 yards per carry. Grant was sacked three times and rushed nine times for minus-one yard. Blake Davis caught two passes for 37 yards and rushed for 21 yards. Ryan Payne caught six passes for 45 yards and added five tackles on defense.

The Vikings converted six of 10 third downs and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the second half. Amarion Andrews recorded seven tackles with a tackle for loss, while Evans contributed six tackles from his linebacker position.

Camden Breazeale led Murphy's defense with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss. Brody Orton added seven tackles with a tackle for loss, and Ryan Payne finished with five tackles.

Tarboro's defense held Murphy scoreless despite the Bulldogs possessing the ball for more than 32 minutes. The Vikings forced one fumble, recorded one interception, and held Murphy to 0-for-1 in the red zone.

The victory extends Tarboro's championship legacy and marks the program's 14th consecutive victory. Murphy finished the season 12-2, falling short in its bid for a state championship.

Key Statistics:

• Kamerin McDowell-Moore: 17 rushes for 190 yards and 3 TDs; 15 tackles
• Tarboro total offense: 282 yards (282 rushing, 0 passing)
• Murphy total offense: 218 yards (93 rushing, 125 passing)
• Third down conversions: Tarboro 6-10, Murphy 6-13
• Turnovers: Murphy 2 (1 fumble, 1 interception), Tarboro 0
• Sacks: Tarboro 3 for 34 yards, Murphy 0
• Time of possession: Tarboro 27:15, Murphy 32:45

DURHAM – Get the scoreboard operator a Gatorade. The scoreboard stayed busy all game as Shelby and Kinston traded blows in a 125-point offensive explosion, with the Golden Lions claiming the NCHSAA 3A football state championship 84-41 behind quarterback Lan Farmar's 10 touchdowns and 644 yards of total offense.

Farmar completed 20 of 27 passes for 459 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, adding two more scores on the ground. The senior quarterback carved up the Vikings secondary with precision, connecting with four different receivers for touchdowns and spreading the ball around to keep Kinston's defense off balance.

Lorenzo Roseboro emerged as Farmar's primary target, hauling in four receptions for 147 yards and four touchdowns. His 36.8 yards per catch average reflected the big-play nature of Shelby's passing attack. Immanuel Collins added seven catches for 123 yards and a score, while Calvin Ramseur contributed four receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. Kendrick Raper rounded out the receiving corps with five catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.

Shelby established a balanced offensive attack by rushing for 185 yards on 30 carries. Running back Jonas Woods led the ground game with 20 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. Farmar added 38 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, while Tyler Tate chipped in 18 yards on three attempts.

The Golden Lions controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, converting 11 first downs while averaging 11.3 yards per play. Shelby ran 57 offensive plays and held the ball for 23:07. The offense operated with efficiency in critical situations, converting 1 of 5 third-down attempts and 2 of 2 fourth-down tries.

Kinston quarterback Tyler Jones kept the Vikings competitive through the air, completing 18 of 28 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns, though he threw three interceptions that proved costly. Backup quarterback Michael Eaton added a 25-yard touchdown pass on his lone completion.

Tyreek Copper provided the big plays for Kinston's passing game, catching seven passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. His 32.7 yards per reception included a 69-yard scoring strike from Jones. Brennan Chambers added four receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, averaging 25.8 yards per catch. Genesis Wiggins caught four passes for 27 yards and a score, while Pap Brown had four catches for 14 yards.

The Vikings struggled to establish a ground game against Shelby's defense, managing just 46 yards on 19 carries. Wiggins led the rushing attack with 13 carries for 26 yards, while Eljai Sumpter added 24 yards on two attempts. Brown gained two yards on one carry, and Jones was held to no yards on two carries. Ex'Zavion Croom lost six yards on his lone carry.

Kinston totaled 419 yards on 48 plays, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. The Vikings converted 14 first downs but struggled on third down, succeeding on just 2 of 7 attempts. They went 0 for 2 on fourth-down conversions and possessed the ball for 27:53.

Shelby's defense generated three interceptions off Jones, returning them for 25 yards. The Golden Lions also recorded one fumble recovery that Kinston returned for one yard. The turnover margin proved decisive in the outcome.

Special teams played a factor in field position. Shelby averaged 43 yards on one punt, while Kinston averaged 30.5 yards on two punts. On kickoff returns, Kinston gained 268 yards on 12 returns, averaging 22.3 yards per return. Shelby returned seven kicks for 153 yards, averaging 21.9 yards per attempt.

Both teams committed penalties that cost them yardage. Shelby was flagged seven times for 50 yards, while Kinston drew six penalties for 47 yards.

The play-by-play revealed a fast-paced, high-scoring affair. Farmar connected with Roseboro on multiple touchdown passes, including scoring strikes of 42 and 36 yards. He also found Collins, Ramseur, and Raper in the end zone multiple times. His rushing touchdowns came from two yards and one yard out.

Jones and Copper connected on touchdown passes of 69, 52, and other big gains that kept Kinston within striking distance at various points. Chambers hauled in a long touchdown reception, and Wiggins scored on an 18-yard pass from Jones. Eaton threw a 25-yard touchdown pass in relief.

Woods punched in rushing touchdowns for Shelby, including one from 26 yards out. His physical running style helped the Golden Lions control the clock and maintain offensive balance.

The game featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings in the first half before Shelby pulled away. The Golden Lions scored on drives that showcased their offensive versatility, mixing up run and pass plays while converting key third and fourth downs to sustain drives.

Defensively, Shelby's secondary made crucial plays when needed, intercepting Jones three times and breaking up passes at key moments. The front seven limited Kinston's rushing attack to minimal gains, forcing the Vikings to become one-dimensional and rely heavily on the passing game.

The scoring pace remained high throughout the four quarters. Shelby's ability to answer Kinston's scoring drives prevented the Vikings from gaining momentum. When Kinston would score to close the gap, the Golden Lions would respond with quick-strike touchdowns through the air or methodical drives on the ground.

The victory added another state championship to Shelby's program history, with the Golden Lions' place among North Carolina's most successful high school football programs further solidified. The combination of Farmar's dual-threat ability, a talented receiving corps, a productive running game, and an opportunistic defense proved too much for Kinston to overcome.

Kinston's season ended despite Jones's strong passing performance and Copper's explosive plays. The Vikings' inability to run the ball effectively and protect the football ultimately sealed their fate in the championship game.

Top Performers

Shelby:

• QB Lan Farmar: 20-27, 459 yards, 8 passing TDs; 7 carries, 38 yards, 2 rushing TDs
• WR Lorenzo Roseboro: 4 receptions, 147 yards, 4 TDs
• WR Immanuel Collins: 7 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD
• RB Jonas Woods: 20 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs
• WR Calvin Ramseur: 4 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
• WR Kendrick Raper: 5 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TDs

Kinston:

• WR Tyreek Copper: 7 receptions, 229 yards, 3 TDs
• QB Tyler Jones: 18-28, 348 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs
• WR Brennan Chambers: 4 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD
• RB Eljai Sumpter: 2 carries, 24 yards
• WR Genesis Wiggins: 4 receptions, 27 yards, 1 TD; 13 carries, 26 yards
• QB Michael Eaton: 1-1, 25 yards, 1 TD