CHAPEL HILL – Ethan Nelson's 26-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining lifted Wilson Prep to a 9-8 victory over Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A state championship game Wednesday at Kenan Stadium.
The game-winning drive covered 38 yards over 11 plays and consumed 4:14 off the clock. Wilson Prep converted a critical fourth-and-8 at the Robbinsville 34-yard line when quarterback Travon Usher ran 20 yards to the 14. Two plays later, Usher rushed for 10 yards on second-and-10 to reach the 4-yard line and set up first-and-goal.
After three rushing attempts netted just three yards, Wilson Prep faced fourth-and-goal at the 11 following two delay of game penalties. Nelson, who had rushed for 113 yards on 11 carries during the game, converted the field goal to give Wilson Prep its first lead since the second quarter.
Robbinsville attempted to respond but quarterback Luke Lovin's pass was intercepted by Manny Dickens at the Wilson Prep 47 on the first play of the ensuing drive. Wilson Prep then ran out the final nine seconds to secure the program's first state championship and finish 1-0 on the season.
Robbinsville took its only lead of the game midway through the second quarter. After Wilson Prep scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Usher to Nazir Vines with 2:45 left in the half, Robbinsville answered immediately. The visitors drove 74 yards in six plays, capped by Isiac Collins' 1-yard touchdown run with 1:13 remaining. Collins then converted the two-point attempt to give Robbinsville an 8-6 advantage.
That scoring drive featured two completions from Lovin totaling 51 yards. The first was a 10-yard pass to Elijah Kirkland on third-and-6 from the Robbinsville 40. Two plays later, Lovin connected with Eli Lambert for 41 yards to the Wilson Prep 1-yard line, setting up Collins' touchdown.
Wilson Prep's touchdown drive in the second quarter covered 81 yards in just three plays and seven seconds. Nelson broke a 72-yard run to the Robbinsville 9 on the first play. After an incomplete pass and a delay of game penalty, Usher found Vines in the right corner of the end zone for the touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Wilson Prep ahead 6-0 at the time.
Robbinsville had two prime scoring opportunities earlier in the game that did not result in points. The visitors drove to the Wilson Prep 15 late in the first quarter but turned the ball over on downs when Lovin was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-22 from the 30.
In the second quarter, Robbinsville advanced to the Wilson Prep 5 but fumbled on second-and-goal. Collins lost the ball and Usher recovered it, returning it 14 yards to the Wilson Prep 19. That turnover set up Wilson Prep's touchdown drive three plays later.
Usher finished with 130 rushing yards on 19 carries and completed 3 of 12 passes for 19 yards with one touchdown. He also led Wilson Prep's defense with 17 tackles, forced one fumble, and recovered another. His fumble recovery and return in the second quarter proved to be the game's pivotal play.
Nelson rushed for 113 yards on 11 carries and punted twice for an average of 32.5 yards. He also made three kickoffs averaging 43.3 yards and contributed five tackles on defense with two tackles for loss.
Lovin completed 4 of 9 passes for 104 yards with one interception for Robbinsville. He rushed nine times for 36 yards. His 50-yard completion to Kyzik Teesateskie in the first quarter moved the ball to the Wilson Prep 30, but the drive stalled after three penalties pushed Robbinsville backward.
Benton Gibby led Robbinsville's rushing attack with 51 yards on 12 carries. Collins added 33 yards and the touchdown on nine carries. Lambert caught one pass for 41 yards, and Teesateskie had one reception for 50 yards.
Wilson Prep controlled possession for much of the second half, holding the ball for 18:44 compared to Robbinsville's 11:16. The Warriors ran 53 offensive plays compared to Robbinsville's 54, but averaged 5.5 yards per play compared to 4.9 for the visitors.
Robbinsville converted 6 of 12 third-down attempts and 1 of 5 fourth-down conversions. Wilson Prep struggled on third down, converting just 2 of 11, but succeeded on 1 of 6 fourth-down attempts, including the crucial fourth-and-8 conversion on the game-winning drive.
Wilson Prep outgained Robbinsville 289-264 in total offense. Wilson Prep rushed for 270 yards on 41 carries, an average of 6.6 yards per attempt. Robbinsville rushed for 160 yards on 45 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Both teams committed costly turnovers. Robbinsville lost two of three fumbles, while Wilson Prep lost one of two fumbles. Wilson Prep also intercepted one pass.
Penalties proved costly for both teams but especially for Wilson Prep, which was flagged 12 times for 77 yards. Robbinsville committed four penalties for 20 yards. Wilson Prep's three delay of game penalties in the fourth quarter pushed the team backward on its final scoring drive.
Robbinsville possessed the ball for 34:23 compared to Wilson Prep's 25:37. The visitors dominated time of possession in the first half, holding the ball for 23:07 compared to 6:53 for Wilson Prep. However, Wilson Prep reversed that trend in the second half, controlling the ball for 18:44 compared to 11:16 for Robbinsville.
Ryelon Waldroup led Robbinsville's defense with 10 tackles. Kellen Ensley added four tackles with one fumble recovery and two tackles for loss totaling seven yards.
For Wilson Prep, Christian Perry and Tashawn Thorne each recorded five tackles. Malicah Perry contributed three tackles with one tackle for loss of seven yards.
Wilson Prep's victory marked a successful debut season for the program. Robbinsville finished 0-1 after falling in the state championship game.
Key Performers
- Travon Usher, Wilson Prep: 130 rushing yards, 19 yards passing, 1 TD pass, 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
- Ethan Nelson, Wilson Prep: 113 rushing yards, game-winning 26-yard field goal
- Luke Lovin, Robbinsville: 104 passing yards, 36 rushing yards
- Benton Gibby, Robbinsville: 51 rushing yards on 12 carries
- Isiac Collins, Robbinsville: 33 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2-point conversion
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