STATESBORO, GA — The highest-scoring game in App State-Georgia Southern series history was also one of the most dramatic with three second-half ties and eight total lead changes.

The final play, a 25-yard touchdown pass in the second overtime, gave the Eagles a 51-48 win in the regular-season finale on a rainy Saturday night at Paulson Stadium.

Nate Noel rushed 12 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns, including a 25-yard touchdown that helped tie the game in the first overtime, as the Mountaineers totaled 376 yards on the ground. After Michael Hughes hit the extra point and added a 33-yard field goal to cap App State's possession that opened the second overtime, Kyle Vantrease threw a second-and-10 pass to Ezrah Archie in the end zone for the game-winning points.

The Mountaineers (6-6, 3-5 Sun Belt) were attempting to improve to 3-0 against Georgia Southern (6-6, 3-5) under head coach Shawn Clark and win two straight games in Statesboro for just the second time. The highest-scoring game in series history, before Saturday, was App State's 37-36 road win in 2008, two years after the Mountaineers won an overtime game in Paulson Stadium.

App State went ahead 38-31 on Ahmani Marshall's 2-yard touchdown run with 13:03 left in the fourth quarter, and Vantrease's 3-yard touchdown run helped tie the game with 4:22 left. The Mountaineers moved downfield thanks to Noel's 33-yard reception to the Georgia Southern 35 and reached the 26 before a fourth-and-1 run was stopped for no gain with 1:40 left.

The Eagles had to punt from their own 32, and the Mountaineers took over at their 28 with 41 seconds left — and three timeouts remaining.

Noel's 12-yard run and Chase Brice's 45-yard pass to Christan Horn, who caught the ball at Georgia Southern's 30 before sprinting 15 yards down the right sideline, put the Mountaineers in potential scoring range. A rush of 3 yards to the 12 set up a 30-yard kick from the left hashmark with three seconds left, and the attempt started inside the left post before sailing just wide as regulation time expired.

In addition to another big game in Statesboro from Noel, Marshall rushed for 91 yards on 20 carries and Daetrich Harrington had 74 yards on nine attempts. Marshall and Harrington each scored one touchdown apiece.

Brice threw for 253 yards, Hughes made four field goals and App State's defense forced two turnovers. Andrew Parker made a team-high eight stops, followed by seven from true freshman Ethan Johnson.

App State settled for two early field goals from Hughes, including one after DeAndre Dingle-Prince recovered a first-possession fumble forced by Parker, and Noel scored touchdowns on second-quarter runs covering 51 and 12 yards.

Running left behind tackle Anderson Hardy and pulling guard Bucky Williams early in the second quarter, Noel easily ran through a last-ditch tackle attempt at the 31 and cruised into the end zone to help push the Mountaineers ahead 13-7. That 60-yard drive came after a three-and-out stop that followed Georgia Southern's defense making a goalline stand.

Georgia Southern responded with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but App State answered back with its own 75-yard drive that included third-down conversions from Horn and Harrington.

A first-down completion to Kaedin Robinson set up another run into the left side of the end zone from Noel, who has rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries in two career games at Paulson Stadium — he scored on a 70-yard run in the fourth quarter of App State's 2020 win in Statesboro.

The Mountaineers led 20-17 at halftime, added a short field goal early in the third quarter and fell behind 24-23 midway through the quarter. After that, App State took its first seven-point lead of the night by covering 75 yards on three straight big plays: Henry Pearson's weaving, 40-yard reception, Harrington's 31-yard run and Harrington's 4-yard touchdown run. A two-point pass to Noel extended the lead after the Mountaineers had held leads of 13-7, 20-14 and 23-17.

Georgia Southern tied the game with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, but App State moved ahead 38-31 on a nine-play, 75-yard march in which the only non-Marshall run was an 18-yard completion to Robinson. Marshall's eight carries for 57 yards included his 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Logan Doublin intercepted a deep throw at App State's 30 and returned the ball 19 yards to end Georgia Southern's next drive, but the teams traded punts over the next few minutes, with the Mountaineers' defense forcing a three and out after they punted for the first time all night. After App State's second punt, the Eagles tied the game at 38-all with 4:22 remaining thanks to a five-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that began with two completions that covered 40 yards.

Vantrease threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns to lead Georgia Southern's offense, which rushed for just 102 yards.

COLUMBIA, SC – The 22nd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs won their second road playoff game in as many weeks on Saturday afternoon, led by yet another strong defensive effort in a 23-6 victory at top-seeded seventh-ranked Benedict College in NCAA Division II second-round playoff football action. The Bulldogs improve to 11-2 overall and advance to next week's national quarterfinal, while the Tigers end their season at 11-1.

Wingate opened with an eight-play opening drive, but the field goal try missed wide left. The Tigers went three-and-out in their opening possession. Wingate's drive stalled, but Evans downed the punt at the Tigers' eight-yard line. Cook and Fleming teamed for a third-down sack on the ensuing possession and a 17-yard Simmons return on the punt set up Wingate deep in BC territory. Crocker found Simmons for the 27-yard TD on the first play of the drive to give Wingate a 7-0 lead. The teams traded punts for the remainder of the opening quarter.

Benedict hit a 47-yard pass play on their first play of the second quarter to get into the red zone. Mullen intercepted Eric Phoenix in the end zone to keep the Tigers scoreless. The Bulldogs then went on a seven-play, 85-yard drive. Wilson started it with a 29-yard run, while a seven-yard run set the Bulldogs up inside the Benedict 30. Crocker found Grant for a 27-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 9:29 to go. Benedict's ensuing drive went nine plays but was cut off by a Morrison interception deep in Wingate territory. After Wingate punted, a Cook sack backed up the Tigers to their own five-yard line. Spain blocked the punt, which resulted in a safety, as Wingate extended the lead to 16-0 with 2:09 left. The Tigers' field goal attempt at the end of the half was blocked by Cook to keep the shutout alive through 30 minutes of action.

Wingate WR Kamal Desor Scores the Touchdown Photo Credit: Hugh Patton

The Tigers opened the second half with possession but immediately went three and out. Daniel Morrison started the possession with a five-yard TFL, followed by a Rhodes and Cook sack. Wingate drove the ball into BC territory, but a 48-yard field goal missed wide left. Benedict could not take advantage, however, going three and out yet again capped by a Horne and Fleming sack. The Bulldogs again drove the ball into Tiger territory but came up incomplete on a fourth and one. Benedict got on the board in their next drive, going 56 yards in nine plays, cashing in on a nine-yard pass from Phoenix to Elijah Watson. The extra point was no good, as the Tigers cut the deficit to 16-6 with 2:21 left in the quarter. Wingate's second play on their next drive was intercepted and a 38-yard return set BC up at the Wingate 35.

On a fourth and one from the Wingate 26-yard line, BC chose to go for it and tackled for no gain by Justin Rhodes, giving it back to the Bulldogs. The teams traded punts on their next two drives. Wingate took over at its own 24 with 11:47 remaining. Crocker hit Grant and Simmons to get it into Benedict territory. A 25-yard strike to Myles Dillon set the Bulldogs up in the red zone. Crocker hit Desor from 21 yards out to cap the 76-yard TD drive and make it 23-6. The Tigers responded, driving down to a first and goal at the Wingate five-yard line. Wingate pushed BC back one yard over the next four plays, turning the ball over back to their offense when a 4th and goal from the five-yard line came up short for the Tigers. The Bulldogs proceeded to run the clock and out, advancing to their first national quarterfinal appearance in program history.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs travel to Pensacola, Fla. next Saturday. In its first trip ever to the national quarterfinals, Wingate will face #6 West Florida in the Super Region 2 championship game. The winner advances to the national semifinals. 

FOURTH ROUND SCORES

1A

EAST

Tarboro 45, Northampton 20

Rosewood 27, North Moore 7

WEST

Mount Airy 35, Eastern Randolph 17

Draughn 42, Andrews 21

2A

EAST

Wallace Rose Hill 48, Princeton 14

East Duplin 49, Whiteville 6

WEST

Reidsville 34, Maiden 0

Burns 49, Monroe 40

3A

EAST

Northern Nash 42, Triton 7

Seventy-First 38, Terry Sanford 13

WEST

East Lincoln 46, Kings Mountain 20

South Point 28, Eastern Guilford 25

4A

EAST

Millbrook 19, Hillside 14

New Bern 70, Rolesville 34

WEST

Grimsley 40, Hough 37 (3 OT)

Weddington 17, AC Reynolds 10

REGIONAL FINAL MATCHUPS

1A

EAST

Rosewood at Tarboro

WEST

Draughn at Mount Airy

2A

EAST

Wallace-Rose Hill at East Duplin

WEST

Burns at Reidsville

3A

EAST

Seventy-First at Northern Nash

WEST

South Point at East Lincoln

4A

EAST

Millbrook at New Bern

WEST

Weddington at Grimsley

Three North Carolina teams have qualified for the 2022 NCAA FCS Championship Playoffs.

Eleven teams automatically qualify for this year's playoffs via conference affiliation. An additional thirteen teams earned at-large bids selected by the FCS Playoff Committee. The complete 24-team bracket was announced at 12:30 on Sunday, November 20, on ESPNU. The FCS Playoffs will conclude with the national championship in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Gardner-Webb (6-5) secured their first-ever berth in the playoffs with a win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon, finishing a perfect 5-0 in conference play and securing their first Big South Conference title since 2003. The Runnin’ Bulldogs and head coach Tre Lamb will travel to take on Eastern Kentucky (7-4), representing the ASUN-WAC partnership.

Davidson (8-3) represents the Pioneer League after St. Thomas was declared ineligible for the playoffs. The Wildcats are making their third straight appearance in the FCS playoffs under coach Scott Abell. The Wildcats and Abell are looking for their first postseason tournament victory and will travel to take on Richmond (8-3) from the Colonial Athletic Association.

Elon (8-3), also from the Colonial Athletic Association, earned an at-large bid in this year’s playoff. The Phoenix, led by Tony Trisciani, are making their fourth overall appearance in the FCS playoffs and first since 2018. Coach Trisciani and the Elon squad will look to secure their first-ever FCS playoff win on the road at Furman from the Southern Conference.

Schedule – All games will take place on Saturday, November 26, and are televised on ESPN+.

Elon at Furman – 12pm

Davidson at Richmond – 2pm

Gardner-Webb at Eastern Kentucky – 5pm

A full bracket can be found here: https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/football/fcs/2022.

RICHMOND, VA – The 22nd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs took advantage of a strong defensive effort, which included 14 points scored by the defense alone, to roll to a 32-7 win at #14 Virginia Union in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. The Bulldogs improve to 10-2 overall and advance to next week's second round, while the Panthers end their season at 9-2.

Virginia Union converted one third down on their opening possession before stalling and punting away. Wingate took over at its own 28 and put together an 11-play scoring drive. Crocker hit Desor for 29 yards to get it to the Virginia Union 10. Crocker hit Dillon for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs the lead. The teams traded punts in their ensuing drives with Wingate leading 7-0.

Wingate DT Sirod Cook chases the VUU QB. Photo Credit: Dominique Maneice

Wingate pushed the ball into Panther territory to open the second quarter after forcing a Virginia Union punt but stalled themselves. Evans' punt was downed at Virginia Union's 11-yard line. On the first play of their drive, Thomas picked off Virginia Union's Jahkari Grant and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 13-0. Virginia Union converted a third and 17 from its own three-yard line in the next drive but was once again forced to punt it away. The Bulldogs could not get anything going, as they were forced to punt it away again. Wingate scored its second defensive touchdown of the quarter, as Edwards picked it off and took it to the house for a 38-yard pick-six, as Wingate took a commanding 20-0 lead at the 4:23 mark. A penalty allowed Virginia Union to get into Wingate territory for the first time, but the Bulldogs picked up a stop on fourth down to keep the shutout alive. The Bulldogs were content to run out the clock and take a 20-0 lead into the halftime locker room.

Clark picked up 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, but the drive stalled from there. Evans' punt was downed at the one-yard line, setting up a long field for the Panthers. Gilmore stuffed Virginia Union's running back in the end zone, forcing the safety and putting the Bulldogs up 22-0. The free kick was returned into Virginia Union territory, but Wingate was forced to punt, which was downed inside the 20 yet again. Wingate's defense forced its third turnover of the game on the ensuing drive when Fleming forced a Byers fumble, which Thomas recovered. Crocker connected with Desor for a 49-yard touchdown on third and 11, as Wingate took a commanding 29-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the quarter. Grant completed a 48-yard touchdown to John Jiles on Virginia Union's first play on their next drive, cutting the deficit to 29-7. Wingate converted a pair of first downs, but the drive stalled. Evans pinned the Panthers to their own 10-yard line after another positive punt. The Panthers couldn't get anything going yet again, and their punt did not make it past midfield.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs drove it down to the Virginia Union two-yard line, but couldn't punch it into the end zone, instead settling for a 19-yard Evans field goal to go up 32-7. Virginia Union went on a nine-play drive, but could not convert a pass play on fourth and seven fell incomplete. The Panther defense held strong, but Evans once again pinned Virginia Union deep in its own end with 2:20 left to go. Virginia Union could not make it down the field in their final possession.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will travel to Columbia, SC next Saturday for a matchup with #7 Benedict College in second-round NCAA playoff action. Wingate will look to punch its ticket to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history with a win over the Tigers.

Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics

BOONE – App State took a shutout into the closing minutes of a dominant Senior Day win.

After honoring twenty-eight players prior to kickoff of the home finale at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Mountaineers jumped out to an early lead and were in control throughout a 27-14 victory against Sun Belt Conference newcomer Old Dominion on Saturday.

Needing seven regular-season victories to reach bowl eligibility, App State (6-5, 3-4) took a 24-0 lead into halftime against the Monarchs (3-8, 2-5) and was ahead 27-0 midway through the fourth quarter before ODU scored twice in the final 7:05. The Mountaineers close the regular season next weekend at Georgia Southern.

A crowd of 32,096 meant App State had an attendance of better than 30,000 for all seven home games this season, producing an average of 33,566 that set single-season Sun Belt and school records. The Mountaineers broke the previous league and program records of 30,441 they had established in 2021.

In his final game at The Rock, Chase Brice completed 15 of 22 passes for 291 yards with long touchdowns to Kaedin Robinson and Christian Wells. Robinson gained 90 yards on his three receptions, and Ahmani Marshall led the running game with a career-best 137 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.

Defensively, sixth-year senior Steven Jones Jr. matched his jersey number by breaking up six passes. Jalen McLeod and Caden Sullivan recorded sacks, with Donovan Spellman and Kevon Haigler sharing one. Nick Ross made a team-high 11 tackles.

The pregame Senior Day ceremony included five sixth-year college players, including Brice, who was set to be one of four game-day captains before he asked that his spot go-to tight end Henry Pearson. Brice transferred into App State's program before the 2021 season, and Pearson has been an impactful player for the Mountaineers since he arrived as a true freshman in 2018.

Just like in the only other home meeting against ODU in 2016, when Taylor Lamb hit Jaquil Capel for a 40-yard gain on a deep pass to the 32 on App State's first offensive play, Brice found Robinson open on a deep throw for a 57-yard gain to the 33 on the Mountaineers' first offensive snap. Michael Hughes ended that 80-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal.

Hansky Paillant recovered a red-zone fumble forced by Markus Clark to keep ODU from scoring on its next drive, and App State increased its lead to 10-0 on Brice's 35-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Robinson.

After the Mountaineers forced a quick three-and-out punt, they capitalized immediately on Brice's 75-yard touchdown pass to a streaking Wells with 13:43 remaining in the second quarter. At that point, Brice was 6 of 7 through the air for 208 yards.

After another three-and-out stop, App State's offense marched 60 yards on eight plays and scored on an 18-yard run by Marshall, who covered the final few yards thanks to a helpful push from center Isaiah Helms and other members of the offensive line.

ODU appeared to trim its deficit to 24-7 on a short touchdown pass late in the half, but a video replay confirmed that the receiver didn't get a foot down in the end zone.

Two incompletions from the 7 preceded a trick play on fourth-and-goal, but freshman cornerback Ethan Johnson didn't let the quarterback run free after he flipped the ball to a receiver and ran a route toward the end zone. A run by the receiver lost 2 yards and allowed App State to hold the Monarchs scoreless for the entire first half.

A season-long field goal of 40 yards in the third quarter from Hughes, a first-year starter, accounted for App State's only second-half points.

BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb and North Carolina A&T both came into the last week of the regular season with a perfect Big South conference record, setting the stage for a winner-take-all matchup for the conference’s autobid into the FCS playoffs.

Both defenses started the game strong, combining for two forced fumbles, three punts, and an interception. The offenses were only partially able to take advantage of the turnovers, though. After recovering a punt on the first play of the game, the Aggies went thirty-three yards in three plays to take an early lead on a twenty-three-yard pass from Jaylen Fowler to Zach Leslie. A fumble at the A&T ten-yard-line helped the Runnin’ Bulldogs get on the scoreboard with a short Jay Billingsley field goal.

A Gardner-Webb block of  NC A&T punt seemed to awaken everyone in the stands, including both teams' offenses, who combined for twenty-eight points in the second quarter. Gardner-Webb was finally able to find the end zone when Bailey Fisher hit Cutrell Haywood on a slant play and the graduate receiver raced twenty-three yards to give the Runnin’ Bulldogs their first lead of the game. Just when it looked like North Carolina A&T would seize the momentum for the day after Bhayshul Tuten broke free and rumbled for a sixty-one-yard score, the Runnin’ Bulldogs rattled off fourteen unanswered points to end the half. Jayden Brown scampered nineteen yards around the left side of the line for one score and linebacker Jamari Brown’s scoop-and-almost-score set up a two-yard Narii Gaither touchdown run.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs started the second half strong as well, forcing an Aggie punt and then extending their lead to seventeen with Narii Gaither’s second touchdown of the day. North Carolina A&T finally got on the scoreboard again late in the third quarter with Andrew Brown’s forty-yard field goal. By the time the third quarter ended, the home team held a two-score lead and was looking to add to their advantage. A fourth quarter Jayden Brown, his second of the day, closed the scoring and secured the victory for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

With the win, Gardner-Webb (6-5, 5-0) secured their first conference title since 2003 and first FCS playoff bid ever. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will find out their opponent on Sunday’s selection show.

DOVER, DE – Four different Camels found the end zone and Campbell closed the 2022 season with a 34-7 nonconference win over Delaware State on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

Hajj-Malik Williams completed 13-of-24 passes for 211 yards and a TD, while eight different Campbell (5-6) receivers caught passes. Austin Hite made four grabs for 72 yards and a touchdown, and Chaney Fitzgerald posted four grabs for a game-high 90 yards. NaQuari Rogers, meanwhile, rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown. 

Campbell limited Delaware State (5-6) to 166 yards of total offense, and just 74 yards passing, registering a season-best 11 tackles for loss.

Campbell DB Myles Rowser returns a fumble. Photo Credit: Rodney Adams

CJ Tillman tallied a career-high 16 tackles with 3.0 stops for loss, including a sack, while Gabe Holmes made eight tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery. Monchovia Gaffney also notched two sacks with a forced fumble and five tackles. 

Thomas Bertrand-Hudon led Delaware State with 139 yards rushing on 28 carries with a touchdown, and Rahkeem Smith totaled 65 yards receiving on two catches. Brooks Parker made five tackles with 2.0 TFLs, including a sack for the Hornets. 

The Camels took a 27-0 lead into the halftime break, with Caleb Dowden’s 38-yard field goal as time expired, his second make of the half. 

Campbell took its opening drive nine plays for 81 yards (3:54), finding the end zone on NaQuari Rogers’ 35-yard touchdown run, spinning off a Delaware State defender. 

Lamagea McDowell punched in a five-yard TD run and Austin Hite hauled in a 27-yard score in the second quarter. 

Mike Swain’s third-quarter blocked punt and recovery in the end zone gave Campbell a 34-0 lead. 

Bertrand-Hudon’s five-yard touchdown with 13:59 remaining put DSU on the board and gave the game its final score. 

Campbell finishes the season at 5-6 overall, while Delaware State dropped to 5-6 on the year. The Camels finished the year with a win for the first time since 2013. 

1A

EAST

Tarboro 34, Riverside-Martin 15

Northampton 32, West Columbus 18

Rosewood 28, Hobbton 14

North Moore 42, Perquimans 26

WEST

Eastern Randolph 29, Robbinsville 26

Mount Airy 49, Hayesville 0

Draughn 19, Thomasville 14

Andrews 50, Murphy 23

2A

EAST

Princeton 63, Cummings 55

Wallace Rose Hill 28, Nash Central 7

Whiteville 25, Hertford County 24

East Duplin 28, Clinton 27

WEST

Reidsville 30, Chase 0

Maiden 37, Bunker Hill 14

Burns 24, Salisbury 20

Monroe 28, East Surry 23

3A

EAST

Northern Nash 21, Southern Durham 14

Triton 37, Jacksonville 35

Seventy-First 40, North Brunswick 8

Terry Sanford 27, Eastern Alamance 17

WEST

Kings Mountain 22, West Charlotte 19

East Lincoln 28, Ledford 7

South Point 21, Crest 20

Eastern Guilford 35, West Henderson 17

4A

EAST

Hillside 28, Pine Forest 7

Millbrook 35, Southern Alamance 7

Rolesville 42, Wake Forest 28

New Bern 38, Jordan 33

WEST

Grimsley 44, Independence 36

Hough 17, East Forsyth 7

Weddington 35, Northwest Guilford 14

A.C. Reynolds 21, Butler 17

FOURTH ROUND PAIRINGS

1A

EAST

Tarboro vs. Northampton

Rosewood vs. North Moore

WEST

Eastern Randolph vs. Mount Airy

Draughn 19 vs. Andrews

2A

EAST

Princeton vs. Wallace Rose Hill

Whiteville vs. East Duplin

WEST

Reidsville vs. Maiden

Burns vs. Monroe

3A

EAST

Northern Nash vs Triton

Seventy-First vs. Terry Sanford

WEST

Kings Mountain vs. East Lincoln

South Point vs. Eastern Guilford

4A

EAST

Hillside vs. Millbrook

Rolesville vs. New Bern

WEST

Grimsley vs. Hough

Weddington vs. A.C. Reynolds

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA announced the Division II football playoff field Sunday evening and two North Carolina schools, Wingate and Fayetteville State, were among the seven schools in Super Region 2. Wingate, representing the South Atlantic Conference, is in the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years. Fayetteville State boosted its playoff resume by winning the CIAA championship this past Saturday.

Benedict is the top seed in the region, followed by Delta State, West Florida, and Virginia Union. Benedict gets an opening round bye, with Delta State, West Florida, and Virginia Union hosting games. Wingate, Fayetteville State, and Limestone round out the region. Delta State hosts Fayetteville State while Wingate will travel to Virginia Union.

Twelve first-round games will be conducted on the campus of one of the competing institutions. In addition, one team per super regional has earned a first-round bye. The first-round winners will all advance to the second round with games on the campus of one of the competing institutions. Second-round winners will meet in the quarterfinals at various campus sites. Quarterfinal winners will advance to play in the semifinals on the campus of one of the competing institutions. Seven teams selected per super regional make up the field of 28 teams.

The first-round dates, sites, and pairings are:

The following institutions earned first-round byes in each super regional and will host a second-round game on November 26, 2022.

All contests shall start at 1 p.m. local time. Other times may be established if approved by the committee.

WINSTON-SALEM – Drake Maye threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a touchdown to lead the #15 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels to a 36-34 win over Wake Forest on Saturday evening. Sam Hartman had 320 yards and four touchdowns in the losing effort for the Demon Deacons.

UNC came out strong in the first quarter with Maye connecting with Josh Downs, their first of three touchdown connections on the night, six minutes into the game. The Tar Heels scored touchdowns on four of their first five drives of the night.

When it seemed like the top-fifteen Heels were going to run away with the game, the Wake Forest offense came alive, tallying touchdowns on three straight drives in the first half, making it a one-score game at the half.

The Demon Deacons used the third quarter to take the lead over the Tar Heels, with Hartman netting two of his scoring passes in the quarter. After AT Perry made a great grab to give the home team the lead, Maye responded for the Tar Heels, running it in from five yards out. It was the last touchdown the Tar Heels would score on the evening. Wake Forest’s Donavon Green got behind the defense, snagged in a ball from Hartman, and raced sixty yards to the end zone to give the Demon Deacons a one-point lead going into the final quarter.

North Carolina started the fourth quarter on the Wake Forest one-yard line, but the Demon Deacons defense stepped up and stuffed the Tar Heels, keeping them out of the end zone and turning them over on downs. Wake Forest then marched ninety-one yards down the field on eleven plays before the UNC defense returned the favor, stopping the Demon Deacons on downs. The decision to not kick the field goal would come back to haunt Wake Forest as Noah Burnette was able to kick the go-ahead field goal for the Tar Heels, giving them a two-point lead, a margin that held through the final whistle.

Key Stats

North Carolina was 10 of 16 on third down while Wake Forest was 3 of 12. Wake Forest was 4 of 6 on fourth down, though.

North Carolina led the time of possession battle, 33:02 to 26:58.

Both teams were great in the red zone with North Carolina scoring six times on eight tries with Wake Forest scoring on three of their four trips.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – The redshirt freshman was 31 of 49 for 448 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Sam Hartman (Davidson Day) – The senior quarterback threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Hartman became just the second quarterback to throw for over 100 touchdowns in his career.

Donavon Green (Mount Airy) – The sophomore receiver scored two touchdowns on the evening for Wake Forest.

Cedric Gray (Ardrey Kell) – The junior linebacker led the Tar Heels with nine tackles, including five solo tackles.

Next Week

Both teams are at home next Saturday as North Carolina (9-1, 6-0) hosts Georgia Tech at 5:30pm while Wake Forest (6-4, 2-4) hosts Syracuse at 8:00 pm.

WINGATE – The Wingate University Bulldogs scored 35 points in the second half, defeating UVA Wise 45-7 on Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium in South Atlantic Conference football action. The Bulldogs improve to 9-2 overall on the year and 7-2 in SAC play, while the Cavaliers end their season at 2-9 overall and 1-8 in league play.

The Bulldogs' opening play from scrimmage was intercepted. UVA Wise was unable to capitalize, punting down to the Wingate 10-yard line. A 47-yard completion to Grant and a 20-yard Wilson run helped Wingate move the ball down the field to set up a two-yard Crocker TD run, putting the 'Dogs up 7-0 with just over nine minutes left in the opening quarter. The teams traded punts on their ensuing possessions.

Wingate receiver Trevor Grant hauls in the pass Photo Credit: Ashley Garcia

UVA Wise's 13-play drive went just 48 yards before they punted back to Wingate. The teams traded back-to-back punts. Midway through the quarter, the Cavs recovered a fumble near midfield. The Bulldog defense held strong, forcing yet another punt. Wingate's 13-play, 73-yard drive stalled as Evans' 24-yarder gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead with just seven seconds left in the half.

The first three drives of the second half resulted in punts. Simmons returned UVA Wise's second punt of the half 40 yards to set the 'Dogs up with a first and goal at the four-yard line. Crocker's three-yard TD pass to Grant put the 'Dogs up 17-0 with 8:19 left in the third quarter. After two punts, Wise's Juwan Dent completed a 93-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kirkess to put the Cavs on the board. Wingate responded right back with a drive consisting of a 41-yard completion to Grant bookended by completions of 23 yards and 11 yards for a touchdown to Desor. The three-play, 75-yard drive gave WU a 24-7 lead with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter.

UVA Wise punted before turning the Bulldogs over on downs to start the fourth quarter. Dent's pass was intercepted by Mullen, who returned it 43 yards into Wise territory. Crocker's 29-yard touchdown pass to Grant pushed Wingate's lead to 31-7 midway through the quarter. Wise's first play on the next drive was intercepted by Morrison, who returned it to the Cavalier 11-yard line. Crocker cashed in with a one-yard scoring plunge, as the 'Dogs led 38-7 with just over five minutes left. On Wise's next drive, Cook forced a fumble and returned it 15 yards for the score. Marked 21 Wingate points in just over three minutes. The Bulldogs stopped the Cavaliers on a fourth and one to ice the victory.

Of Note

This is the sixth straight fall season with at least eight wins for the Bulldogs. The nine wins are the most since the program-record 10-win season in 2019. Wingate is 56-16 overall in the last five full seasons, going 37-10 in league play. WU leads the league in overall wins and SAC victories in that span. The 'Dogs are 77-38 at Irwin Belk Stadium since 2001. The Bulldogs have now won 36 of the last 37 games when scoring 30 points. Wingate has scored at least 30 points 25 times since the beginning of '18. WU leads the nation in TFLs and third-down defense. The 'Dogs are second in total defense and sacks, ranking fifth in scoring defense. Wingate is fifth nationally in rush defense and sixth in pass defense. Seventh time this season the Bulldogs have held an opponent to 10 or fewer points.

KEY STATS

Wingate out-gained UVA Wise 327-231. The Bulldogs gained 129 yards on the ground and 198 through the air. Wise gained just 15 rushing yards while throwing for 216 yards. WU picked up 16 first downs to the Cavaliers' 15. The Cavs were seven-for-17 on third down; Wingate was four-of-10. The 'Dogs cashed in on all five red zone trips; Wise was unsuccessful in both opportunities. Wingate picked up six sacks on the afternoon, while the Cavaliers recorded one. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers which all turned into touchdowns. UVA Wise possessed the ball for nearly 33 minutes.

UP NEXT

Wingate learns its postseason fate during the Division II NCAA Tournament selection show Sunday at 5:30 pm. The 'Dogs were fifth in this week's NCAA Super Region 2 poll. The selection show will air on NCAA.com Sunday evening.

Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics

1A

EAST

Tarboro 48, Southeast Halifax 0

Riverside-Martin 44, North Edgecombe 14

West Columbus 42, Washington County 30

Northampton County 28, Northside-Pinetown 20

Rosewood 49, Warren County 16

Hobbton 42, Southside 34

Perquimans 48, East Columbus 14

North Moore 13, Pender 12

WEST

Eastern Randolph 28, Mountain Heritage 12

Robbinsville 39, Cherokee 12

Hayesville 14, Christ the King 13

Mount Airy 57, North Rowan 7

Thomasville 21, Swain County 0

Draughn 35, Mitchell 10

Murphy 38, East Wilkes 34

Andrews 35, Mountain Island Charter 0

2A

EAST

Princeton 71, Trask 34

Cummings 42, Midway 7

Wallace Rose Hill 35, Northeastern 31

Nash Central 36, Greene Central 28

Whiteville 42, Holmes 35

Hertford 44, West Craven 43

Clinton 26, South Granville 0

East Duplin 31, James Kenan 17

WEST

Reidsville 51, Providence Grove 25

Chase 35, Robinson 14

Maiden 46, Mount Pleasant 13

Bunker Hill 41, Community School of Davidson 40

Burns 42, Shelby 0

Salisbury 48, Pine Lake Prep 13

Monroe 55, Lincolnton 7

East Surry 21, Hendersonville 16

3A

EAST

Northern Nash 27, Southern Nash 12

Southern Durham 27, Vance County 7

Triton 35, Hunt 16

Jacksonville 49, Havelock 42

Seventy-First 28, JH Rose 20

North Brunswick 53, Lee County 34

Terry Sanford 59, Scotland County 55

Eastern Alamance 27, Williams 24

WEST

Kings Mountain 42, Smoky Mountain 0

West Charlotte 56, Hibriten 7

Ledford 42, Northwest Cabarrus 28

East Lincoln 35, Tuscola 7

Crest 42, Oak Grove 15

South Point 74, Dudley 41

Eastern Guilford 64, Erwin 42

West Henderson 56, West Rowan 42

4A

EAST

Hillside 46, Apex 43

Pine Forest 16, Holly Springs 10

Millbrook 42, Cardinal Gibbons 30

Southern Alamance 38, New Hanover 32

Wake Forest 45, Leesville Road 21

Rolesville 28, Cleveland 21

Jordan 32, Pinecrest 28

New Bern 21, Hoggard 0

WEST

Grimsley 42, Charlotte Catholic 30

Independence 55, Olympic 6

Hough 16, Mallard Creek 6

East Forsyth 42, Mount Tabor 0

Northwest Guilford 33, Watauga 27

Weddington 30, Cox Mill 0

A.C. Reynolds 17, Chambers 16

Butler 41, Mooresville 21

1A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Tarboro (10-1) vs. #8 Riverside-Martin (11-1)

#4 Northampton County (10-2) vs. #5 West Columbus (9-3)

#3 Rosewood (8-4) vs. #11 Hobbton (10-2)

#2 North Moore (12-0) vs. #23 Perquimans (4-8)

WEST

#1 Eastern Randolph (10-1) vs. #8 Robbinsville (9-3)

#4 Mount Airy (11-1) vs. #12 Hayesville (7-5)

#3 Thomasville (11-1) vs. #6 Draughn (11-1)

#2 Andrews (12-0) vs. #7 Murphy (9-3)

2A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Princeton (11-1) vs. #8 Cummings (8-3)

#4 Nash Central (9-3) vs. #12 Wallace-Rose Hill (10-2)

#3 Whiteville (11-1) vs. #11 Hertford County (11-1)

#2 East Duplin (11-1) vs. #7 Clinton (11-1)

WEST

#1 Reidsville (11-1) vs. #8 Chase (12-0)

#5 Maiden (11-1) vs. #13 Bunker Hill (11-1)

#3 Burns (11-1) vs. #6 Salisbury (11-1)

#2 East Surry (12-0) vs. #7 Monroe (11-1)

3A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Northern Nash (12-0) vs. #9 Southern Durham (8-4)

#20 Jacksonville (7-4) vs. #28 Triton (7-5)

#3 Seventy-First (12-0) vs. #6 North Brunswick (11-1)

#2 Eastern Alamance (11-1) vs. #7 Terry Sanford (10-2)

WEST

#1 Kings Mountain (12-0) vs. #8 West Charlotte (7-5)

#4 East Lincoln (12-0) vs. #12 Ledford (11-1)

#11 South Point (11-1) vs. #14 Crest (9-3)

#2 West Henderson (12-0) vs. #23 Eastern Guilford (8-4)

4A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Hillside (12-0) vs. #9 Pine Forest (10-2)

#12 Millbrook (11-1) vs. #13 Southern Alamance (9-3)

#3 Wake Forest (10-2) vs. #11 Rolesville (9-3)

#2 New Bern (12-0) vs. #23 Jordan (6-6)

WEST

#1 Grimsley (12-0) vs. #8 Independence (11-1)

#4 East Forsyth (12-0) vs. #5 Hough (10-2)

#6 Weddington (11-1) vs. #14 Northwest Guilford (10-2)

#7 A.C. Reynolds (11-1) vs. #15 Butler (10-2)

CINCINNATI – East Carolina's dream of playing for an American Athletic Conference championship and taking down yet another team headed for the Big 12 vanished late Friday night in Cincinnati.

But the inspired Pirates did not succumb without taking the two-time champion Bearcats to the brink before falling 27-25 in a physical, intense and at times nasty slugfest at sold-out Nippert Stadium. ECU erased a 21-5 deficit to forge a 25-24 lead before Ryan Coe's 20-yard field goal provided the deciding points, extending the Bearcats' home winning streak to 32 straight and strengthening their bid to play in a fourth straight AAC title game.

The loss ended a three-game win streak for the Pirates (6-4, 3-3 AAC) and denied them their first win in the Queen City since 2001. Cincinnati (8-2, 4-1 AAC) won its fifth straight over the Pirates and evened the series at 13-13 as it exits to the Big 12, joining league members UCF and Houston.

"It's tough; our hearts hurt," senior quarterback Holton Ahlers said. "All of our goals (were in) winning this game and trying to get to a conference championship, something this team has never done in the American before."

ECU, coming off a bye week after wins over UCF and BYU, did essentially everything it needed to send Cincinnati off to the Big 12 with a departing loss, dominating the favored Bearcats with a short, efficient passing game and stout defense.

The Pirates piled up more yards (454-310), controlled the ball with a 79-57 advantage in plays and 36:43-23:17 in time of possession, and did not commit a turnover. Cincinnati managed a mere 66 yards rushing, and a vaunted defense that led the nation in tackles for loss at 9.0 per game registered only two and did not sack Ahlers.

When the Bearcats did strike, they struck quickly, scoring on a 100-yard kickoff return and passes of 55 and 76 yards.

"You just can't give up those explosive plays and the kickoff return," said fourth-year ECU coach Mike Houston, who dropped to 0-4 against Cincinnati. "That's it. That's the ballgame right there. You can't not make those plays."

Six penalties, including three crucial holding calls, also hampered ECU, one of the least penalized teams in the nation. Another damaging blow came late in the third quarter when a vicious hit – penalized for targeting -- by Bryon Threats knocked dynamic ECU running back Keaton Mitchell out of the game.

ECU scored on the next play to take a 25-24 lead but lost its most potent weapon for the remainder of the game.

Cincinnati limited Mitchell to 34 yards on 10 carries in the first half, but he racked up 78 yards on just six carries in the second half to finish with 112 for his fourth consecutive 100-yard game and the 12th of his career. The sophomore needs just 25 more yards to reach 1,000 for a second straight year and moved up to seventh on the school's career list with 2,550 yards.

Freshman Marlon Gunn Jr. replaced Mitchell and finished 48 yards on 11 carries.

"It hurts us not having him," Houston said of Mitchell. "Obviously he's one of the best players in the league. I thought Marlon came in played very, very well. I'm just really proud of him and how he competed. I just hate losing Keaton like that."

Before Mitchell got cranked up, Ahlers kept the offense moving and finished 26 of 46 for 280 yards with a pair of touchdowns to give him 89 for his career. The left-hander surpassed 3,000 yards for the season (3,012) and 13,000 for his career (13,131). He also passed Shane Carden on the school's career completion list with 1,061.

Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant misfired much of the night, completing 14 of 30 passes with one interception, but got the ball in the hands of his playmakers just enough,

A sack of Bryant by Jeremy Lewis staked ECU to a 2-0 lead, then Andrew Conrad knocked through a career-best 47-yard field goal for a 5-0 lead.

The first of the Bearcats' fireworks exploded on the ensuing kickoff when Jadon Thompson bumped into a teammate, slipped through the arms on one Pirate then emerged from a crowd in the middle of the field on the way to a 100-yard return.

Tre Tucker and Tyler Scott then turned short passes into long scoring runs, first Tucker on a 55-yard tunnel screen followed by Scott on a 76-yard slant for a 21-5 lead. Scott finished with seven catches for 140 yards, recording his fourth 100-yard game and ninth touchdown catch this season. He now has 14 scoring catches in his career – all covering at least 20 yards.

ECU answered when C.J. Johnson, who was injured on the game's final play, snared a pass from Ahlers and warded off three defenders for a 72-yard score. Coe's 37-yard field goal with 1:48 left in the half put Cincinnati up 24-12.

The Pirates immediately seized the momentum in the second half, surging ahead 25-24 on Mitchell's 4-yard run and a 15-yard strike from Ahlers to Jalen Johnson.

The Bearcats pieced together what proved to be the winning drive early in the third quarter, driving to the ECU 3 before Coe booted a 20-yarder.

The Pirates' last gasp stayed alive when Ahlers, in the grasp of a Cincinnati defender, flipped a 12-yard pass to Johnson on fourth down. But ECU could not convert a fourth-and-8 from the 41 as Ahlers' pass sailed over the hands of Johnson.

"I thought we just let one get away," Houston said. "They made a couple of plays in the first half. If we make those plays, make the tackle on the kickoff return, it's a different ballgame. The way the kids battled back in the second half, got the lead, we just need to be able to finish it off there at the end.

"We had the ball at the end with a chance to drive and score; just really disappointed we weren't able to score there at the very end," Houston said.

Story courtesy of ECU Media Relations

RALEIGH – A top 25 matchup of two in-state schools does not happen that often in the state of North Carolina. Wake Forest and NC State, both with high hopes opening the season, were looking to finish the last quarter of the regular season strong and a win in this game would put either team in prime position for a high-profile bowl later on. In the end, it was NC State, behind a three-touchdown effort by freshman quarterback MJ Morris, who emerged victorious, 30-21 over the Demon Deacons.

After forcing a quick punt to open the game, Wake Forest looked like they were in business to grab the momentum early on. That hope was short-lived as Jakeen Harris picked off a Wake Forest pass and returned it across midfield, but the Wolfpack were only able to turn it into a Christopher Dunn field goal, the only scoring over the first nineteen minutes of the game. The second quarter showed off both teams’ offenses with each team scoring twice before the half. Christian Turner’s rushing score was answered by MJ Morris finding Keyon Lesane. Sam Hartman’s scoring toss to Taylor Morin was answered by Morris hitting Darryl Jones in the end zone. The two connected for another score in the third quarter. Another Dunn field goal saw the Wolfpack heading into the final quarter with a 27-14 lead.

Wake Forest wasn’t done, though, driving ninety-nine yards on a drive halfway through the fourth quarter and making it a one-score game after Sam Hartman’s twenty-nine-yard pass to AT Perry. NC State wasn’t going to be denied, and Christopher Dunn’s third field goal of the night put the game out of reach.

Defensively, Aydan White and Jakeen Harris tallied second-half interceptions for the Wolfpack. Isaiah Moore and Drake Thomas were monsters roaming the field for NC State, combining for eighteen tackles, including five for a loss, and three sacks. The Wake Forest defense was paced by Ryan Smenda, Jr., who tallied sixteen tackles on the evening.

Next Week

NC State (7-2) is back at Carter-Finley Stadium hosting Boston College at 3:30 pm while Wake Forest (6-3) plays another in-state rival, North Carolina, at 7:30 at Truist Field in Winston-Salem.

CHARLOTTE – After a surprising blowout win on the road at Rice last weekend, the Charlotte 49ers were hoping to build momentum going into their last three games of the season. The visiting Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had other ideas, and quarterback Austin Reed’s six-touchdown performance ensured that the Charlotte hope was short-lived as the visitors walked out of Charlotte’s Richardson Stadium with a 59-7 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Photo Credit: Ed Conway

Charlotte tried to get their offense moving in the second half, going seventy-five yards in ten plays, resulting in an acrobatic grab by Elijah Spencer in the end zone to get the 49ers on the board for the first time on the afternoon. WKU immediately responded, scoring in four plays, with Reed finding his sixth different touchdown target, Michael Mathison, to extend the lead again. The Hilltoppers added a field goal in the fourth quarter and put an exclamation point on the game with a forty-two-yard Anthony Brackenridge pick-six.

Western Kentucky’s quarterback Austin Reed finished with 409 yards and six touchdowns on the day. Backup quarterback Darius Ocean added a late score to make up the final margin.

Next Week

Charlotte (2-8, 1-5 CUSA) is on the road at Middle Tennessee next Saturday before returning home for the final game of the 49ers’ season on November 19th against Louisiana Tech. Western Kentucky hosts Rice in their home finale before hitting the road for the final two weeks of the season.

 1A East

Tarboro, Bye 

North Duplin 22, Southeast Halifax 42

Riverside-Martin 62, Pamlico County 12

North Edgecombe 48, KIPP Pride 6

West Columbus 47, South Creek 0

Gates County 20, Washington County 40

Northside-Pinetown 42, Weldon 6

Northampton Co. 68, Jones 6

Rosewood 44, Chatham Central 8

Warren County 32, Lakewood 16

Southside 2, Rocky Mount Prep (FF) 0

Hobbton 69, Northwest Halifax 28

East Columbus 28, Bear Grass Charter 6

Perquimans 34, Wilson Prep 32

Pender 22, Bertie 14

North Moore 53, Lejeune 7

1A West

Eastern Randolph, Bye 

Mountain Heritage 42, South Stokes 0

Robbinsville 40, Cherryville 14

Cherokee 28, Starmount 21

Christ the King 42, Avery County 13

Hayesville 37, Alleghany 22

North Rowan 49, Carver 6

Mount Airy 72, North Stokes 0

Thomasville 55, Elkin 7

Swain Co. 26, Winston-Salem Prep 8

Draughn 63, Union Academy 13

Mitchell 72, South Davidson 21

Murphy 49, Albemarle 18

East Wilkes 44, Thomas Jefferson 14

Mountain Island Charter 16, Bessemer City 14

Andrews 77, Highland Tech 8

2A East

Princeton 64, Goldsboro 8

Heide Trask 20, Eastern Wayne 6

Cummings 44, Bartlett Yancey 26

Midway 44, East Carteret 35

Northeastern 43, Farmville Central 19

Wallace-Rose Hill 74, Kinston 32

Greene Central 40, St. Pauls 8

Nash Central 60, North Johnston 12

Whiteville 13, Southwest Onslow 3

Holmes 66, SouthWest Edgecombe 41

West Craven 37, Bunn 8

Hertford County 40, East Bladen 8

Clinton 39, Beddingfield 18

South Granville 20, Roanoke Rapids 16

James Kenan 41, Camden County 10

East Duplin 71, North Pitt 16

2A West

Reidsville 76, Madison 14

Providence Grove 48, McMichael 14

Chase 74, North Wilkes 15

Jay M. Robinson 22, Wilkes Central 12

Maiden 68, Polk County 33

Mount Pleasant 28, Walkertown 13

Bunker Hill 41, East Davidson 8

Community School of Davidson 20, East Gaston 14

Burns 62, Morehead 13

Shelby 30, Forest Hills 13

Salisbury 28, Brevard 16

Pine Lake Prep 38, West Stokes 20

Monroe 56, North Stanly 6

Lincolnton 37, Randleman 36

Hendersonville 36, West Lincoln 29

East Surry 42, Anson 0

3A East

Northern Nash 25, Northside-Jacksonville 7

Southern Nash 62, White Oak 26

Vance Co. 28, West Carteret 26

Southern Durham 55, Richlands 12

C.B. Aycock 28, Triton 53

Hunt 3, Smithfield-Selma 0

Jacksonville 21, Rocky Mount 17

Havelock 68, Croatan 7

Seventy-First 62, South Johnston 0

J.H. Rose 44, Cape Fear 24

North Brunswick 14, Westover 6

Lee County 41, Currituck County 38

Terry Sanford 56, South Brunswick 29

Scotland 42, Fike 35

Williams 34, Western Alamance 20

Eastern Alamance 41, Franklinton 7

3A West

Kings Mountain 42, St. Stephens 6

Smoky Mountain 41, Central Davidson 38

West Charlotte 40, Cramer 13

Hibriten 32, Southern Guilford 27

Northwest Cabarrus 17, Ashbrook 3

Ledford 41, Freedom 0

Tuscola 35, Forestview 14

East Lincoln 51, Ashe County 6

Oak Grove 17, West Mecklenburg 12

Crest 33, Statesville 7

Dudley 43, Pisgah 5

South Point 48, Hickory 13

Erwin 41, Carson 27

Eastern Guilford 56, Parkwood 42

West Rowan 35, Franklin 7

West Henderson 45, North Davidson 28

4A East

Hillside 49, Hoke County 18

Apex 42, Panther Creek 35

Holly Springs 36, Richmond 33

Pine Forest 21, Fuquay-Varina 20

Cardinal Gibbons 50, Knightdale 8

Millbrook 27, Clayton 10

Southern Alamance 28, Riverside-Durham 21

New Hanover 45, Broughton 19

Wake Forest 42, Chapel Hill 8

Leesville Road 30, D.H. Conley 27

Cleveland 42, Topsail 14

Rolesville 41, Overhills 16

Pinecrest 42, Laney 35

Jordan 23, Jack Britt 20

Hoggard 42, Heritage 13

New Bern 56, Sanderson 14

4A West

Grimsley 69, Davie 37

Reagan 22, Charlotte Catholic 48

Independence 41, Page 13

Olympic 21, T.C. Roberson 14

Hough 49, Providence 0

Mallard Creek 26, Ardrey Kell 14

Mount Tabor 28, Asheville 26

East Forsyth 49, West Forsyth 0

Watauga 42, South Iredell 13

Northwest Guilford 45, Southeast Guilford 20

Weddington 29, Marvin Ridge 19

Cox Mill 45, Lake Norman 33

A.C. Reynolds 55, A.L. Brown 14

Chambers 34, Porter Ridge 3

Butler 28, Hickory Ridge 21

Mooresville 47, Southwest Guilford 26

1A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Tarboro (9-1) vs. #17 Southeast Halifax (5-5)

#8 Riverside-Martin (10-1) vs. #9 North Edgecombe (8-3)

#5 West Columbus (8-3) vs. #21 Washington County (4-7)

#13 Northside-Pinetown (7-4) vs. #20 Weldon (3-5)

#3 Rosewood (7-4) vs. #14 Warren County (7-4)

#6 Southside (8-3) vs. #11 Hobbton (9-2)

#23 Perquimans (3-8) vs. #26 East Columbus (3-8)

#2 North Moore (11-0) vs. #18 Pender (6-5)

WEST

#1 Eastern Randolph (9-1) vs. #17 Mountain Heritage (5-6)

#8 Robbinsville (8-3) vs. #24 Cherokee (3-8)

#5 Christ the King (9-2) vs. #12 Hayesville (6-5)

#4 Mount Airy (10-1) vs. #13 North Rowan (7-4)

#3 Thomasville (10-1) vs. #14 Swain County (5-6)

#6 Draughn (10-1) vs. #11 Mitchell (8-3)

#7 Murphy (8-3) vs. #10 East Wilkes (9-2)

#2 Andrews (11-0) vs. #15 Mountain Island Charter (5-5)

2A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Princeton (10-1) vs. #16 Heide Trask (8-3)

#8 Cummings (7-3) vs. #24 Midway (7-4)

#5 Northeastern (9-2) vs. #12 Wallace-Rose Hill (9-2)

#4 Nash Central (8-3) vs. #13 Greene Central (10-1)

#3 Whiteville (10-1) vs. #14 John A. Holmes (8-3)

#6 West Craven (8-3) vs. #11 Hertford County (10-1)

#7 Clinton (10-1) vs. #10 South Granville (6-5)

#2 East Duplin (10-1) vs. #15 James Kenan (9-2)

WEST

#1 Reidsville (10-1) vs. #17 Providence Grove (8-3)

#8 Chase (11-0) vs. #9 Robinson (10-1)

#5 Maiden (10-1) vs. #21 Mount Pleasant (8-3)

#4 Community School of Davidson (10-1) vs. #13 Bunker Hill (10-1)

#3 Burns (10-1) vs. #19 Shelby (7-4)

#6 Salisbury (10-1) vs. #11 Pine Lake Prep (10-1)

#7 Monroe (10-1) vs. #23 Lincolnton (6-5)

#2 East Surry (11-0) vs. #15 Hendersonville (9-2)

3A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Northern Nash (11-0) vs. #16 Southern Nash (8-3)

#9 Southern Durham (7-4) vs. #25 Vance County (7-3)

#21 Hunt (7-4) vs. #28 Triton (6-5)

#4 Havelock (9-2) vs. #20 Jacksonville (6-4)

#3 Seventy-First (11-0) vs. #14 J.H. Rose (8-3)

#6 North Brunswick (10-1) vs. #22 Lee County (8-3)

#7 Terry Sanford (9-2) vs. #10 Scotland (7-4)

#2 Eastern Alamance (10-1) vs. #15 Williams (8-3)

WEST

#1 Kings Mountain (11-0) vs. #17 Smoky Mountain (7-4)

#8 West Charlotte (6-5) vs. #9 Hibriten (6-5)

#5 Northwest Cabarrus (10-1) vs. #12 Ledford (10-1)

#4 East Lincoln (11-0) vs. #13 Tuscola (10-1)

#3 Oak Grove (11-0) vs. #14 Crest (8-3)

#6 Dudley (9-2) vs. #11 South Point (10-1)

#7 Erwin (6-5) vs. #23 Eastern Guilford (7-4)

#2 West Henderson (11-0) vs. #15 West Rowan (9-2)

4A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Hillside (11-0) vs. #16 Apex (10-1)

#8 Holly Springs (9-2) vs. #9 Pine Forest (9-2)

#5 Cardinal Gibbons (9-2) vs. #12 Millbrook (10-1)

#4 New Hanover (10-1) vs. #13 Southern Alamance (8-3)

#3 Wake Forest (9-2) vs. #14 Leesville Road (9-2)

#6 Cleveland (11-0) vs. #11 Rolesville (8-3)

#7 Pinecrest (9-2) vs. #23 Jordan (5-6)

#2 New Bern (11-0) vs. #18 Hoggard (8-3)

WEST

#1 Grimsley (11-0) vs. #17 Charlotte Catholic (9-2)

#8 Independence (10-1) vs. #9 Olympic (11-0)

#5 Hough (9-2) vs. #12 Mallard Creek (8-3)

#4 East Forsyth (11-0) vs. #20 Mount Tabor (9-2)

#3 Watauga (10-1) vs. #14 Northwest Guilford (9-2)

#6 Weddington (10-1) vs. #11 Cox Mill (9-2)

#7 A.C. Reynolds (10-1) vs. #10 Julius Chambers (9-2)

#2 Mooresville (10-1) vs. #15 Butler (9-2)