HICKORY – Reidsville dismantled previously unbeaten Brevard 50-20 on Saturday at Lenoir Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium to claim the NCHSAA 4A state championship behind an explosive offensive performance.
The Rams (13-2) scored on seven of their nine possessions, amassing 421 yards of total offense while holding Brevard (14-1) to just 289 yards. Quarterback Tyson Broadway completed 10 of 11 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns, while junior Dionte Neal accounted for 288 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in the victory.
Reidsville needed just 19 seconds to take the lead on its opening drive. Broadway found Neal streaking down the middle for a 49-yard touchdown pass at the 11:36 mark of the first quarter. The extra point attempt failed, giving the Rams a 6-0 advantage.
Brevard responded quickly, marching 47 yards in eight plays. Quarterback Christian Conley connected with tight end Brayden Crain for a 17-yard touchdown pass with 9:02 remaining in the opening quarter. Andres Melgaregjo's extra point gave the Blue Devils their only lead of the game at 7-6.
The lead lasted less than three minutes. Neal took a direct snap and burst through the right side of the defense for a 56-yard touchdown run at 6:53. Neal then found Oregon-bound tight end Kendre Harrison for the two-point conversion, pushing Reidsville's lead to 14-7.
The Rams struck again before the quarter ended. Running back Damarien Whitted broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run with 1:35 left in the first quarter. Neal connected with Harrison again for the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 22-7.
Reidsville's offense continued to overwhelm Brevard's defense in the second quarter. Broadway hit Neal for a 52-yard touchdown pass at 11:07, though the extra point attempt failed. The Rams led 28-7 and showed no signs of slowing down.
On Brevard's next possession, Conley fumbled at the Reidsville 30-yard line. Neal recovered the loose ball, giving the Rams possession at their own 30-yard line. Broadway needed just one play to capitalize on the turnover, finding Harrison for a 70-yard touchdown pass at 9:48. Neal completed a pass to Finnley Galloway for the two-point conversion, making it 36-7.
Less than two minutes later, Reidsville struck again. After Richard Brathwaite intercepted Conley at the Brevard 35-yard line, Broadway threw his fourth touchdown pass of the half on the very next play. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Harrison hauled in a 35-yard scoring pass at 7:39, and Alex Penaloza's extra point gave the Rams a 43-7 halftime lead.
Broadway's first-half performance was exceptional: 10 completions in 11 attempts for 283 yards and four touchdowns. The Rams averaged 14.0 yards per play in the opening half while limiting Brevard to 5.8 yards per play.
The second half began with a running clock due to the 35-point lead rule in North Carolina high school football. Brevard opened the third quarter with its best drive of the game, covering 65 yards in seven plays. Conley found Tristan Thompson-Wynn for a 35-yard touchdown pass at 7:08, cutting the deficit to 43-14.
Any momentum the Blue Devils gained evaporated on the ensuing kickoff. Jorden Robinson fielded Melgaregjo's kick at the Reidsville 9-yard line and raced 91 yards untouched for a touchdown at 5:54 of the third quarter. Penaloza's extra point made it 50-14, effectively ending any hope of a Brevard comeback.
The Blue Devils added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter when Conley connected with Thompson-Wynn for a 13-yard scoring pass with 3:20 remaining. The extra point attempt failed, setting the final score at 50-20.
Neal finished with seven receptions for 158 yards and two receiving touchdowns, plus 65 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on just two carries. He also threw three two-point conversions and recovered a fumble on defense. His 288 all-purpose yards included 19 yards on one kickoff return.
Harrison caught all three passes thrown his way for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded six tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss on defense.
Broadway's final line read 10 of 11 for 283 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He was sacked just once and attempted only 12 passes in the game.
For Brevard, Thompson-Wynn finished with 12 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for more than 75 percent of the Blue Devils' receiving yards. Conley completed 19 of 26 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted twice and lost a fumble.
The Rams' defense forced three turnovers and limited Brevard to 74 rushing yards on 24 attempts, an average of 3.1 yards per carry. Kadence Pruitt and Harrison each recorded six tackles to lead the defense.
The victory gave Reidsville (13-2) the 4A state championship. The Rams' explosive plays and efficient offense proved too much for Brevard to overcome.
Top Performers
Reidsville
- Dionte Neal: 7 receptions, 158 yards, 2 TD; 2 rushes, 65 yards, 1 TD; 3-3 on 2-pt conversions
- Tyson Broadway: 10-11 passing, 283 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
- Kendre Harrison: 3 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD; 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL
- Jorden Robinson: 91-yard kickoff return for TD
Brevard
- Tristan Thompson-Wynn: 12 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TD
- Christian Conley: 19-26 passing, 215 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
- Jax Whitmire: 9 tackles (5 solo, 4 assisted)
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