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

The 3A Championship provides a stark contrast between a program that measures success in state titles and a program seeking to establish its own modern legacy. The Shelby Golden Lions are arguably the NCHSAA's most historically successful program, making their 25th appearance in a title game and boasting a phenomenal 18-6 record in those contests. When you include their nine WNCHSAA championship appearances between 1947-1976 (where they went 4-3-2), Shelby's championship pedigree is unmatched. The Golden Lions come into the contest with a 12-3 record, a testament to their continued excellence under Head Coach Mike Wilbanks.

Wilbanks, in his seventh season at Shelby with a 76-20 overall record, has established himself as one of the state's elite coaches. He won both the 2019 2AA and 2021 2A championships with the Golden Lions, and this team has all the pieces to add a third title to his resume. After an 0-2 start that included losses to county rivals Kings Mountain and Crest, the Lions have responded with 12 straight victories, demonstrating resilience and championship character.

The 2025 Golden Lions are led by the powerful arm of quarterback Lan Farmer. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior is an exceptional talent whose statistics speak for themselves: 3,770 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions this season. Farmer's ability to stretch the field vertically and find open receivers makes the Shelby offense nearly impossible to stop when he is clicking. His command of the offense and decision-making have been exemplary all season.

Farmer has guided the Lions through a tough playoff bracket, including critical wins over East Rutherford (65-34), Mount Airy (41-21), and a heart-stopping 43-41 regional final victory over Eastern Randolph. In that Eastern Randolph thriller, Farmer threw for 388 yards and 3 touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to perform in pressure moments. Wilbanks pointed to an earlier regular-season game against Burns, won on a last-second blocked field goal (36-35), as the team's most galvanizing moment.

Freshman running back Jonas Woods has been a revelation, leading the team with 73.8 yards per game and 14 touchdowns. His emergence has given Shelby a ground game to complement Farmer's aerial assault. Junior receiver Immanuel Collins Jr. (68.9 yards per game) is Farmer's favorite target, while junior Kendrick Raper provides another deep threat.

Defensively, the Lions are anchored by junior linebacker Landon Hollifield (8.5 tackles per game) and senior defensive end Noah Gartner, who has recorded 15.0 sacks, among the state's best. Senior free safety Derrick Kee and senior strong safety Kendrick Raper (who also plays receiver) provide secondary coverage. The Golden Lions average 47.8 points per game while allowing 19.3, with four shutouts demonstrating their ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.

The Kinston Vikings (11-4) are seeking to crash the Shelby coronation and remind everyone that they, too, have championship pedigree, although the Vikings' last title was seventy years ago. Kinston is reaching the title game for the third time in fourteen years, proving they know how to get to the final stage. Head Coach Ryan Gieselman, in his 13th season with a 106-56 career record, led the Vikings to the 2015 2A championship game where they fell to Shelby 57-21, a loss that still motivates this program.

The Vikings have navigated a challenging path, evident by their 11-4 record and 14-seed in the playoffs, one of the lowest seeds to ever reach a championship game. After losses to South Central, White Oak, Ayden-Grifton, and rival Tarboro (42-35), Kinston found its identity and embarked on a remarkable playoff run. Gieselman points to a mid-season victory over Greene Central as the galvanizing moment that turned the season around.

Kinston relies on an aggressive, fast-paced game to create turnovers and quick scoring opportunities. Senior receiver Tyreek Copper has been nothing short of sensational, recording a record-setting 2,000+ receiving yards and 32 touchdowns while averaging 134.2 yards per game. Copper's production is among the best in state history, and he's the primary reason Kinston's offense averages 37.0 points per game despite their pass-heavy approach (270.8 passing yards per game).

Senior running back Genesis Wiggins provides balance with 57.6 yards per game, while senior quarterback Tyler Jones manages the offense and delivers the ball to Copper and fellow receivers Pap Brown and Brennan Chambers. The Vikings' aerial attack is designed to create explosive plays and force opponents to defend the entire field.

Defensively, Kinston is led by senior Jemorris Poole (10.3 tackles per game) and junior cornerback Justin Gooding Jr. (5 interceptions). Senior linebacker Davieon Jones contributes 4.0 sacks, while the secondary must play aggressive, physical coverage to disrupt opposing passing games. The Vikings allow 20.5 points per game, and their ability to create turnovers (2.3 per game) has been crucial to their success.

The Matchup: This game pits the established air-raid dominance of Shelby, with Farmer's 48 touchdown passes, against the aggressive, opportunistic style of Kinston and Copper's record-setting season. If the Vikings can force a few turnovers and convert them into scores, exploiting any potential weakness in the Lions' protection, they have a chance to add another perfect title game record to their history.

Kinston must find a way to pressure Lan Farmer and disrupt his timing, relying on the athleticism of their defensive line and secondary. However, Gartner's 15 sacks suggest Shelby's pass rush could be equally problematic for Kinston's pass-heavy attack. The key will be protecting the quarterback and giving Copper opportunities to make plays in space.

This rematch of the 2015 championship, which Shelby won convincingly, takes on added significance. Can Kinston avenge that loss a decade later? Or will Shelby's history and the sheer passing volume of Lan Farmer prove too much? The Vikings will need a historic defensive performance to stop the Golden Lions from collecting their 19th state title trophy, but their perfect championship game record suggests they shouldn't be underestimated.

The 283-mile journey from Kinston to Shelby represents more than distance; it's the culmination of two very different seasons that converged at the same destination. One program has been here many times; the other arrives as the ultimate underdog. Both will leave everything on the field Saturday afternoon.

Kinston Vikings (11-4) vs. Shelby Golden Lions (12-3)

Durham County Memorial Stadium

Kickoff: 2:00 p.m.

The NCHSAA football playoffs opened with a full slate of first-round games across all eight classifications, and while most higher seeds advanced as expected, several double-digit seeds scored notable upsets, a reminder that this year’s brackets are built strictly off RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) rather than win–loss records or conference standings.

1A East: Washington County 12, North Edgecombe 26

1A East: Hobgood Charter 44, Weldon 14

1A East: Sallie B. Howard 49, Columbia 0

1A West: Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy 30, Chatham Central 12

1A West: Rosman 38, Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy 28

1A West: College Prep & Leadership Academy 34, Andrews 42

2A East: Northampton County 50, Lejeune 7

2A East: Northwest Halifax 26, Union 28

2A East: Southside 52, Pamlico County 28

2A East: American Leadership Academy - Johnston 26, Rosewood 52

2A East: Camden County 33, West Columbus 30

2A West: North Rowan 55, Avery County 10

2A West: Hayesville 41, Highland Tech 6

2A West: Mountain Island Charter 40, Elkin 7

2A West: Cherryville 55, South Stokes 12

2A West: Albemarle 21, Cherokee 15

3A East: Ayden - Grifton 48, South Lenoir 20

3A East: South Columbus 38, West Bladen 0

3A East: Princeton 54, Beddingfield 18

3A East: Wake Prep Academy 37, Bartlett Yancey 0

3A East: Farmville Central 56, Heide Trask 28

3A East: Kinston 53, North Moore 7

3A East: Hertford County 26, Northwood 14

3A East: Wallace-Rose Hill 37, Greene Central 36

3A West: Hendersonville 50, East Davidson 0

3A West: Shelby 70, McMichael 14

3A West: West Wilkes 14, Wheatmore 21

3A West: West Davidson 28, Madison 13

3A West: East Surry 35, Polk County 15

3A West: Owen 14, Union Academy 24

3A West: Thomasville 14, Chase 7

3A West: West Lincoln 42, North Wilkes 13

4A East: Eastern Wayne 21, Anson 14

4A East: Clinton 28, Ledford 20

4A East: SouthWest Edgecombe 50, Southwest Onslow 0

4A East: North Pitt 44, Cummings 7

4A East: Carver 16, Morehead 14

4A East: North Johnston 42, Washington 35

4A East: Nash Central 12, Roanoke Rapids 14

4A East: Red Springs 37, Jordan-Matthews 12

4A West: Lexington Senior 22, West Stanly 24

4A West: Bandys 71, South Rowan 14

4A West: North Surry 40, Salisbury 26

4A West: Tuscola 13, East Burke 6

4A West: West Iredell 45, Ashe County 0

4A West: Lake Norman Charter 19, Foard 21

4A West: R-S Central 48, Wilkes Central 6

4A West: West Stokes 39, Forbush 3

5A East: Southeast Alamance 42, Orange 0

5A East: Western Alamance 12, South Granville 20

5A East: West Carteret 35, C.B. Aycock 21

5A East: Havelock 47, Richlands 0

5A East: South Brunswick 28, Seaforth 29

5A East: J.F. Webb 56, Person 68

5A East: Rockingham County 50, Dixon 58

5A East: Eastern Alamance 35, Fike 0

5A West: West Rowan 41, Southern Guilford 23

5A West: Oak Grove 30, North Lincoln 8

5A West: Forest Hills 40, Smoky Mountain 28

5A West: West Henderson 42, East Rowan 7

5A West: Concord 29, Forestview 28

5A West: Carson 7, Montgomery Central 30

5A West: North Davidson 46, North Henderson 8

5A West: Erwin 49, Huss 21

6A East: Terry Sanford 49, E.E. Smith 20

6A East: South Johnston 47, Vance County 7

6A East: J.H. Rose 47, Triton 10

6A East: Franklinton 28, Gray's Creek 6

6A East: Lee County 21, Westover 20

6A East: West Brunswick 35, West Johnston 6

6A East: Eastern Guilford 22, White Oak 32

6A East: Harnett Central 40, South View 37

6A West: A.C. Reynolds 56, South Caldwell 0

6A West: Kings Mountain 28, Ben L. Smith 14

6A West: Dudley 35, Glenn 14

6A West: Olympic 35, Ragsdale 0

6A West: Southeast Guilford 10, Central Cabarrus 38

6A West: Statesville 28, Alexander Central 3

6A West: Asheville 42, Western Guilford 7

6A West: St. Stephens 24, Mount Tabor 23

7A East: Cary 13, Ashley 14

7A East: New Bern 50, Overhills 0

7A East: Southern Durham 6, Sanderson 41

7A East: Wake Forest 59, North Brunswick 28

7A East: New Hanover 28, Heritage 14

7A East: South Central 14, South Garner 62

7A East: Fuquay-Varina 29, Holly Springs 7

7A East: SSEAS 61, Lumberton 15

7A West: Davie County 19, West Mecklenburg 0

7A West: East Forsyth 63, Purnell Swett 0

7A West: Porter Ridge 26, Cuthbertson 16

7A West: A.L. Brown 34, South Iredell 27

7A West: Butler 42, Hopewell 28

7A West: Page 68, McDowell 0

7A West: Marvin Ridge 52, Chapel Hill 13

7A West: West Cabarrus 28, R.J. Reynolds 27

8A East: Rolesville 49, Green Hope 0

8A East: Leesville Road 49, Broughton 12

8A East: Panther Creek 27, Enloe 14

8A East: Laney 12, Willow Spring 31

8A West: West Forsyth 43, Northwest Guilford 7

8A West: Pinecrest 31, Chambers 32

8A West: Providence 14, Ardrey Kell 7

8A West: South Mecklenburg 32, Palisades 35

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released its football playoff brackets Sunday, setting the stage for first-round action across all eight classifications beginning Friday, November 7.

In a historic shift, the NCHSAA expanded from four classifications to eight this season, creating new opportunities for teams across the state. A total of 330 teams earned playoff berths based solely on RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), with brackets ranging from 22 teams in 1A to 48 teams in most other classifications.

Defending Champions in New Landscape

The classification expansion has reshuffled last year's state champions into different competitive tiers. Tarboro, the defending champion from the old system, enters as the No. 1 seed in 2A East. Monroe, another 2024 titleholder, claimed the No. 8 seed in 5A West. West Charlotte secured the No. 2 seed in 8A West, while Grimsley earned the top seed in 7A West as it looks to defend its crown.

The new eight-classification structure creates fresh championship races across the state, with no defending champions in 1A, 3A, 4A, or 6A under the restructured system.

Top Seeds Across Classifications

Several programs secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective brackets:

East: KIPP Pride (1A), Tarboro (2A), James Kenan (3A), Reidsville (4A), Hunt (5A), Jacksonville (6A), Cardinal Gibbons (7A), and Hoggard (8A) earned top billing in the Eastern brackets.

West: Robbinsville (1A), Murphy (2A), Mountain Heritage (3A), Brevard (4A), South Point (5A), Watauga (6A), Grimsley (7A), and Hough (8A) claimed the top seeds in the Western brackets.

First-Round Byes and Matchups

The top five seeds in 1A received first-round byes, while other classifications feature full brackets. Notable first-round matchups include several inter-regional contests, with teams like Washington County (1A East No. 6) facing Winston-Salem Prep (1A West No. 6) in cross-bracket play.

In 1A East, No. 8 Sallie B. Howard faces No. 9 Columbia, while No. 7 Hobgood Charter takes on Rosman from the West bracket. The 1A West bracket features Andrews (No. 9) traveling to College Prep & Leadership Academy (No. 8).

Competitive Balance Across State

The expansion to eight classifications aims to create more competitive balance across North Carolina's diverse football landscape. Traditional powers are spread throughout the new system, with programs like Reidsville (4A East No. 1), Cardinal Gibbons (7A East No. 1), and perennial contenders finding new homes in the restructured format.

The 2A brackets are particularly deep, featuring 22 teams in each region. Murphy, a storied program in western North Carolina, leads the 2A West bracket, while Tarboro's defending championship pedigree makes it the team to beat in the East.

Mid-tier classifications showcase competitive depth, with Hunt leading 5A East and South Point topping 5A West. The state's largest classification, 8A, features 24 teams with Hoggard and Hough as the respective regional favorites.

Road to Championships

Teams will battle through multiple rounds over the coming weeks, with state championship games scheduled for mid-December. The RPI-based seeding system eliminates subjective selection, with every playoff berth and seed determined by the mathematical formula that weighs winning percentage, opponents' winning percentage, and opponents' opponents' winning percentage.

Friday night's opening round marks the beginning of a new era in North Carolina high school football, as the expanded playoff system provides more teams the opportunity to compete for state titles while maintaining competitive balance across all eight classifications.

RALEIGH – On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, the West Charlotte Lions captured the NCHSAA 3A state championship with a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Seventy-First, riding an efficient passing attack and stalwart defensive effort to secure the title.

In a game where offensive opportunities proved scarce, West Charlotte quarterback Jamouri Nichols delivered a masterful performance, completing 12 of 13 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. His precision through the air proved to be the difference in a defensive struggle that saw both teams battle for every yard.

The Lions struck first, establishing their passing attack early when Nichols connected with KD Cotton on a 6-yard touchdown strike in the opening quarter. That early score would stand as the game's only points until late in the second quarter, as both defenses settled in and refused to yield ground.

Seventy-First, playing without starting quarterback Deandre Nance due to a knee injury suffered the previous week, showed remarkable resilience. The Falcons mounted an impressive seven-minute drive before halftime, culminating in Jayson Franklin's 5-yard touchdown run that knotted the score at 7-7.

The third quarter evolved into a tactical chess match, with field position proving crucial. West Charlotte appeared poised to break the deadlock when they drove deep into Falcons territory, but a touchdown run by Nichols was nullified by a penalty. The Lions' frustration mounted as they turned the ball over on downs at the 6-yard line.

The decisive moment finally arrived early in the fourth quarter when Nichols found Donte Nicholson for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. The 10-yard scoring strike capped a methodical drive that started at the game's most critical juncture.

Seventy-First mounted two late challenges, recovering a fumble in Lions territory with 6:53 remaining, but the West Charlotte defense stood firm. The Falcons' final desperate drive ended on a botched spike attempt as time expired, setting off a celebration on the Lions' sideline.

The defensive nature of the contest was reflected in the statistics, with both teams finding rushing yards at a premium. West Charlotte's Emory McClain Jr. led all rushers with 47 yards on 14 carries, while the Lions' defense limited Seventy-First to just 46 total rushing yards on 26 attempts.

Davion Jones proved to be Nichols' favorite target, hauling in 8 receptions for 55 yards as the Lions consistently moved the chains through the air. The Falcons' Jytavius Whitted provided several explosive plays in defeat, including a 50-yard reception that set up their lone touchdown.

The victory marked a triumphant culmination for West Charlotte, whose defense proved championship-worthy by holding Seventy-First to just seven points. The Falcons entered the contest averaging significantly more points per game but found themselves stymied by a Lions defensive unit that recorded eight tackles for loss.

For Seventy-First, the loss was particularly bitter given their late opportunities. Despite the absence of their starting quarterback, the Falcons remained within striking distance throughout, a testament to their defensive unit led by Kaiveon Gear and Hector Bautista, who combined for 19 tackles.

The championship represents a crowning achievement for West Charlotte's program, which demonstrated championship mettle in the season's biggest moment. Their blend of efficient offense and suffocating defense proved to be the perfect formula for capturing the 3A crown on a memorable December afternoon in Raleigh.