Friday, December 20

7:00 p.m. – 4A Championship | Grimsley vs. Rolesville at Kenan Stadium

Saturday, December 21

11:00 a.m. – 3A Championship | West Charlotte vs. Seventy-First at Carter-Finley Stadium
3:00 p.m. – 1A State Championship | Corvian vs. Tarboro at Carter-Finley Stadium
6:30 p.m. – 2A State Championship | Monroe vs. Northeastern at Kenan Stadium

BOONE – In a decision that reverberated through the hallowed halls of Mountaineer football, Appalachian State University announced Monday the departure of head coach Shawn Clark, concluding a tenure deeply rooted in both personal history and institutional pride.

Clark, a 49-year-old alumnus who bled black and gold, had been more than just a coach – he was a living embodiment of Appalachian State's football tradition. A two-time All-American offensive lineman during his playing days, Clark's journey from student-athlete to head coach represented the quintessential Mountaineer narrative of loyalty and advancement.

Athletic Director Doug Gillin's announcement carried a tone of respectful transition. "Shawn is a true Mountaineer," Gillin emphasized. "He has given his heart and soul to his alma mater, navigating numerous challenges with class and integrity."

The coaching trajectory that began in 2016 as an offensive line coach culminated in five full seasons at the helm, marked by significant achievements. Clark guided the Mountaineers to a Sun Belt Championship appearance in 2021, maintaining the program’s status as a consistent conference contender early in his tenure.

However, the 2024 season's 5-6 record ultimately became the tipping point. Despite previous successes – including bowl game victories and a 40-24 overall record – the program's leadership determined a change was necessary to maintain championship aspirations.

"The expectation for App State Football is to annually compete for a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff," Gillin stated, signaling the program's uncompromising ambitions.

Clark's professional journey reads like a testament to persistence. From graduate assistant at Louisville to offensive line coaching roles at Eastern Kentucky, Purdue, and Kent State, he methodically built a reputation as a diligent, strategic football mind before returning home to Boone.

His most significant achievements include leading the Mountaineers through the unprecedented COVID-19 disrupted 2020 season, where he guided the team to a 9-3 record and a dominant Myrtle Beach Bowl victory. The 2021 season further solidified his coaching credentials, with a 10-4 record and an East Division title.

As Appalachian State commences a national search for its 23rd head coach, Clark's legacy remains complex – a period of growth, resilience, and competitive spirit that bridged the program's past and its future aspirations.

See the full list of coaching changes here: 

CHAPEL HILL – In a move that seemed both inevitable and bittersweet, the University of North Carolina announced Tuesday that legendary football coach Mack Brown will not return for the 2025 season, concluding his second stint with the Tar Heels after a rollercoaster campaign.

Brown, 73, the oldest active head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), will coach his final home game this Saturday against rival N.C. State, bringing an end to a 16-season journey marked by both triumph and disappointment.

"While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time," Brown said in an official statement. His departure comes after a season that saw the Tar Heels experience dramatic highs and lows, including a humbling 70-50 home loss to James Madison and a subsequent three-game winning streak.

Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham praised Brown's contributions, highlighting his role in rebuilding the program's reputation. "Mack Brown has won more games than any football coach in UNC history, and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for Carolina Football and our University," Cunningham said.

Brown's legacy at UNC is complex. During his first tenure from 1988 to 1997, he transformed the program into a top-10 national contender. His return in 2018 rekindled hopes of similar glory, though those aspirations remained largely unfulfilled.

The coach's final season was particularly poignant. Following the tragic loss of wide receiver Tylee Craft to cancer, Brown's leadership shone brightest as his team rallied to win three consecutive games, demonstrating the human impact beyond mere athletic performance.

Despite boasting NFL-caliber quarterbacks like Sam Howell and Drake Maye, and consistently strong recruiting classes, sustained success remained elusive. The Tar Heels never quite broke through to win an ACC championship, a goal Brown had openly pursued.

As Brown prepares for his final home game, the story is less about an ending and more about a transition—a moment to honor a coaching legacy that, while imperfect, significantly shaped North Carolina football.

The road to championship glory begins this Friday as 253 high school football teams across North Carolina embark on their playoff journeys, marking the 110th season of crowning state champions in the Old North State. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) released the playoff brackets on Sunday, November 10, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting postseason culminating in four state championship games in December.

This year's championship games will be split between two of the state's most prestigious venues - Kenan Memorial Stadium at UNC Chapel Hill and Carter-Finley Stadium at NC State. Kenan Stadium, which has hosted 81 championship games since 1989, will add two more to its historic legacy, while Carter-Finley will host its 35th and 36th championship contests.

The 2024 playoffs feature an intriguing mix of traditional powerhouses and fresh faces. Four programs will make their NCHSAA playoff debuts this season: Montgomery Central in the 3A bracket, and Palisades, West Cabarrus, and Willow Spring in the 4A bracket. These newcomers will look to make their mark against some of the state's most successful programs.

Speaking of success, nine of the top ten winningest playoff programs in NCHSAA history since 1972 are back in the hunt this year. Shelby, the all-time leader with 120 playoff victories, leads this distinguished group. Other notable returning powers include Reidsville (97 wins), Swain County (97 wins), and Richmond County (89 wins). In an interesting first-round matchup, two of these historic programs will clash as Thomasville travels to Robbinsville.

The 2024 season has already produced some remarkable individual performances that could make the difference in the playoffs. Havelock's Jaylen Hewitt leads all passers with 3,174 yards and 31 touchdowns, while White Oak's Tareavion Mageo has dominated on the ground with 2,095 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. In the receiving game, Hobbton's Reggie Thompson has been nearly unstoppable, accumulating 1,361 yards on 82 receptions.

This year's playoffs also feature several compelling comeback stories. North Iredell is breaking the longest playoff drought in the state, making their first appearance since 2006 - meaning no player on the current roster was even born when the Raiders last reached the postseason. They're joined by 42 other programs returning to the playoffs after various lengths of absence, including Northern Vance (last appearance: 2008) and South Rowan (2009).

Fans unable to attend the games in person won't miss any of the action, as 68 first-round games will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network. An additional 45 local radio stations will provide coverage of various games across the state, ensuring comprehensive coverage of this historic playoff season.

The path to the championships, scheduled for December 20th and 21st, represents the fourth iteration of the current NCHSAA Football Playoff format. This format was implemented following the 2002-2021 period when eight champions were crowned, including the COVID-19 impacted spring season of 2021.

The seeding process this year maintains its focus on rewarding conference success while utilizing RPI ratings for final placements. Conference champions receive automatic berths and are seeded first, followed by additional qualifiers based on both conference standing and RPI ratings. The system ensures that teams can only qualify if all teams above them in their conference standings have also made the playoffs, maintaining competitive integrity.

As the 110th season of North Carolina high school football championships begins, the stage is set for another memorable playoff season. From historic programs chasing additional glory to newcomers looking to make their mark, the next few weeks promise to deliver the excitement and drama that high school football fans have come to expect from one of the state's most cherished sporting traditions.

See the full list of first-round matchups on Carolina Gridiron's 2024 Championship Central.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has released the seeds for this year’s highly anticipated high school football playoffs. Teams from across the state will begin their journey toward the championship on November 15, with the ultimate goal of reaching the State Championships held at Kenan Memorial Stadium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Carter-Finley Stadium at North Carolina State University.

 Playoff Schedule

- First Round: November 15

- Second Round: November 22

- Third Round: November 29

- Fourth Round: December 6

- Regional Finals: December 13

- State Championships: December 20-21

Road to the Championship

The NCHSAA playoff system is built to recognize excellence across conferences, rewarding top-performing teams and those who fought hard throughout the season. Teams earn playoff berths through conference standings, with champions from conferences of 1-5 teams receiving automatic berths, while conferences of six or more teams also send runner-ups or tournament winners. Further playoff spots are filled by wild-card selections based on Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ratings.

RPI ratings are used extensively in the seeding process, ensuring that high-performing teams are rewarded based on their conference rankings and season strength. Each region, East and West, is seeded independently, with conference champions getting precedence over other qualifying teams.

Path to Victory

From the opening round, higher-seeded teams will have the advantage of home field until the State Championships, where champions from each division will clash. Fans across North Carolina can look forward to an intense season finale, as the top teams from each region converge in Chapel Hill and Raleigh for a two-day championship event.

1A First Round

East

(1) Tarboro vs BYE

(16) Weldon vs (17) Lejeune

(8) Perquimans vs (25) Northwest Halifax

(9) Warren vs (24) Southside

(5) Northside (Pinetown) vs (28) East Columbus

(12) Gates vs (21) Washington County

(13) Rosewood vs (20) Hobbton

(4) Pender vs (29) Chatham Central

(3) Wilson Prep vs BYE

(19) KIPP Pride vs (14) West Columbus

(6) North Moore vs (27) Union

(11) Bertie vs (22) North Edgecombe

(7) Bear Grass vs (26) Pamlico

(10) Lakewood vs (23) Northampton

(15) East Bladen vs (18) Southeast Halifax

(2) North Duplin vs BYE

West

(1) Mount Airy vs (32) Thomas Jefferson

(16) Mountain Island vs (17) Bishop McGuinness

(8) South Stanly vs (25) Avery

(9) Starmount vs (24) Andrews

(5) Corvian vs (28) Elkin

(12) Mitchell vs (21) Draughn

(13) Cherokee vs (20) Carver

(4) Eastern Randolph vs (29) Swain

(3) Murphy vs (30) Highland Tech

(14) Alleghany vs (19) Christ the King

(6) Bessemer City vs (27) South Stokes

(11) Robbinsville vs (22) Thomasville

(7) North Rowan vs (26) Cherryville

(10) East Wilkes vs (23) Albemarle

(15) Union Academy vs (18) Hayesville

(2) Mountain Heritage vs (31) North Stokes

2A First Round

East

(1) Northeastern vs (32) Hertford

(16) Midway vs (17) Greene Central

(8) St. Pauls vs (25) East Duplin

(9) Nash Central vs (24) West Craven

(5) Martin County vs (28) North Johnston

(12) James Kenan vs (21) Roanoke Rapids

(13) Cummings vs (20) SouthWest Edgecombe

(4) Wallace-Rose Hill vs (29) Washington

(3) Southeast Alamance vs (30) Heide Trask

(14) South Columbus vs (19) Kinston

(11) Ayden-Grifton vs (22) North Lenoir

(6) South Granville vs (27) Edenton Holmes

(7) Eastern Wayne vs (26) Northwood

(10) East Carteret vs (23) Princeton

(15) Farmville Central vs (18) North Pitt

(2) Whiteville vs (31) Pasquotank

West

(1) Reidsville vs (32) RS Central

(16) North Surry vs (17) East Rutherford

(8) Bunker Hill vs (25) Hendersonville

(9) Brevard vs (24) Anson

(5) Salisbury vs (28) West Davidson

(12) Walkertown vs (21) Surry Central

(13) Forest Hills vs (20) Lexington

(4) Randleman vs (29) East Gaston

(3) Monroe vs (30) TW Andrews

(14) Burns vs (19) North Stanly

(11) East Surry vs (22) Southwestern Randolph

(6) West Stokes vs (27) North Forsyth

(7) Mount Pleasant vs (26) West Lincoln

(10) CS Davidson vs (23) Bandys

(15) Lincolnton vs (18) Maiden

(2) Shelby vs (31) Morehead

3A First Round

East

(1) Havelock vs (32) Westover

(16) Western Alamance vs (17) Vance County

(8) Terry Sanford vs (25) South Central

(9) Union Pines vs (24) Scotland

(5) Williams vs (28) East Wake

(12) Jacksonville vs (21) West Carteret

(13) Cape Fear vs (20) Southern Alamance

(4) Aycock vs (29) Eastern Alamance

(3) Northern Nash vs (30) Rose

(14) Southern Nash vs (19) Harnett Central

(11) Southern Durham vs (22) Fike

(6) Currituck vs (27) West Johnston

(7) White Oak vs (26) Lee County

(10) North Brunswick vs (23) Hunt

(15) Rocky Mount vs (18) Richlands

(2) Seventy-First vs (31) Croatan

West

(1) Erwin vs (32) Parkwood

(16) Pisgah vs (17) Smoky Mountain

(8) West Charlotte vs (25) Hunter Huss

(9) Freedom vs (24) West Rowan

(5) Dudley vs (28) Asheboro

(12) AC Reynolds vs (21) Central Davidson

(13) Kings Mountain vs (20) East Lincoln

(4) Robinson vs (29) Northeast Guilford

(3) Hickory vs (30) Tuscola

(14) Statesville vs (19) Franklin

(11) Oak Grove vs (22) North Iredell

(6) Crest vs (27) Eastern Guilford

(7) West Henderson vs (26) South Rowan

(10) North Lincoln vs (23) North Davidson

(15) Ashbrook vs (18) Northwest Cabarrus

(2) South Point vs (31) Montgomery Central

4A First Round

East

(1) Cleveland vs (32) Heritage

(16) Ashley vs (17) Laney

(8) Jordan vs (25) Enloe

(9) Apex Friendship vs (24) Pine Forest

(5) Rolesville vs (28) Middle Creek

(12) Pinecrest vs (21) New Hanover

(13) Clayton vs (20) Corinth Holders

(4) Richmond vs (29) Topsail

(3) Hoggard vs (30) Broughton

(14) Leesville Road vs (19) Conley

(6) New Bern vs (27) Gray’s Creek

(11) Millbrook vs (22) South View

(7) Jack Britt vs (26) Wake Forest

(10) Overhills vs (23) Hillside

(15) Garner vs (18) Southeast Raleigh

(2) Cardinal Gibbons vs (31) Willow Spring

West

(1) Grimsley vs (32) Western Guilford

(16) Reagan vs (17) Southeast Guilford

(8) Charlotte Catholic vs (25) Porter Ridge

(9) Palisades vs (24) Page

(5) Hough vs (28) South Iredell

(12) Mount Tabor vs (21) Independence

(13) Mallard Creek vs (20) Lake Norman

(4) Watauga vs (29) Ragsdale

(3) East Forsyth vs (30) Butler

(14) West Forsyth vs (19) Cuthbertson

(6) Mooresville vs (27) Alexander Central

(11) Northwest Guilford vs (22) Olympic

(7) Asheville vs (26) Marvin Ridge

(10) Northern Guilford vs (23) West Cabarrus

(15) Sun Valley vs (18) Roberson

(2) Weddington vs (31) Brown