The North Carolina High School Athletic Association's regional finals delivered a night of intense football, with sixteen teams battling for state championship berths across four classifications, setting the stage for next week's ultimate showdown.

In the most decisive performance of the evening, top-seeded Tarboro dominated Wilson Prep, routing the newcomers 59-6 in the 1A East Regional Final. The Vikings continued their playoff momentum, having already scored 176 points in their previous three postseason games, securing their eighth consecutive regional championship.

The 1A West Regional Final saw fifth-seeded Corvian continuing its Cinderella run, defeating Mountain Heritage 28-19. This comes on the heels of their stunning upset of Mount Airy, which ended the Granite Bears' remarkable 43-game winning streak – the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.

In the 2A East Regional, top-seeded Northeastern maintained its strong form, defeating Whiteville 24-14. The team successfully avenged last year's regional final loss and will now advance to the state championship game for the first time since 2019. Standing opposite of the Eagles will be the Monroe Redhawks, who took down Brevard in convincing fashion.

The 3A East Regional Final witnessed Seventy-First emphatically defeating Jacksonville 43-7, a remarkable turnaround for a team that was the twelfth seed. In a rematch of the 1986 4A championship, the team facing Seventy-First will be the West Charlotte Lions, who took down the defending state champion Hickory Red Tornadoes on the road.

The 4A East Regional Final provided perhaps the most competitive matchup, with fifth-seeded Rolesville edging Cardinal Gibbons 38-31. This victory continues Rolesville's playoff magic, following their earlier upset of top-seeded Cleveland.

The 4A West Regional was a rematch of the 2022 regional final between Grimsley and Weddington, a game which the Whirlies won by a single point. The Warriors looked poised to return the favor, taking a 10-0 lead into the half. But Grimsley came roaring to life in the second half, putting up thirty-five points and making it back to the title game for the fourth time in school history.

These regional final results set up an exciting state championship weekend. Grimsley and Rolesville will clash in the 4A title game, Seventy-First and West Charlotte will battle in the 3A contest, Tarboro and Corvian will fight for 1A supremacy, and Northeastern and Monroe will compete for the 2A crown.

The championships will be held December 20-21 at Kenan Memorial Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium, with Kenan Stadium hosting its 83rd and 84th state championship games in its historic football venue.

Regional Final Scores

1A East: (1) Tarboro def. (3) Wilson Prep, 59-6
1A West: (5) Corvian def. (2) Mountain Heritage, 28-19
2A East: (1) Northeastern def. (2) Whiteville, 24-14
2A West: (3) Monroe def. (9) Brevard, 41-15
3A East: (2) Seventy-First def. (12) Jacksonville, 43-7
3A West: (8) West Charlotte def. (3) Hickory, 36-20
4A East: (5) Rolesville def. (2) Cardinal Gibbons, 38-31
4A West: (1) Grimsley def. (2) Weddington, 35-23

Chancellor Lee-Parker rushed for a career-high 208 yards as Brevard College defeated Kentucky Christian University 41-25 on Saturday afternoon at KCU Stadium in Grayson, Kentucky. The victory gave the Tornados their first six-win season since 2021, finishing the 2024 campaign with a 6-3 record.

Lee-Parker, playing in his final collegiate game, recorded two rushing touchdowns while carrying the ball 28 times. His 208-yard performance ranks as the second-highest single-game rushing total in Brevard's Division III history, trailing only Mitchell Yoder's 220-yard mark set in 2021.

After a scoreless first quarter, Brevard built a 17-7 halftime lead. Hugo Taylor opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal, followed by Lee-Parker's five-yard touchdown run. Kentucky Christian responded when Rey Graciano returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown, but Brevard quickly countered as Ethan Beamish connected with Zackary Orr on a 66-yard touchdown pass.

The Tornados dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Knights 17-0. Lee-Parker broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run, Beamish found Joseph Cuellar for a 17-yard scoring pass, and Taylor added a 41-yard field goal to extend the lead to 34-7.

Kentucky Christian (2-9) mounted a fourth-quarter rally behind quarterback Calvin Kafando, who threw two touchdown passes to Davari Morris. However, Brevard's Dre Burton, playing in his first varsity game, sealed the victory with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Orr, completing his five-year career at Brevard, caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. His season totals of 837 yards and 10 touchdowns both rank second in program single-season history. The graduate receiver finished his career as Brevard's all-time leader in receptions (123) and receiving yards (1,893).

Defensively, Robert Dorsey led Brevard's pass rush with three-and-a-half sacks, bringing his conference-leading season total to 11.5. Kentrayle Holloway recorded a team-high nine tackles, while Brandon Broughton and Burton each intercepted passes.

The win marked the fifth time this season Brevard scored 40 or more points, contributing to the program's fourth-best winning percentage in school history.

BREVARD – Brevard scored four touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a 42-9 victory over Greensboro in Saturday's USA South conference matchup.

Junior quarterback Ethan Beamish led Brevard (3-1, 3-0 USA South) with 310 passing yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Zackary Orr twice for scores. The game held special significance for Orr, who broke Brevard's all-time career receiving record, surpassing former record-holder Bubba Craven. Orr finished with 122 receiving yards, bringing his career total to 1,591 yards.

The Tornados struck quickly when Beamish found Cooper Hogan for a 64-yard touchdown on their opening drive. After forcing a three-and-out, Brevard extended their lead on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Orr. Running back Jadien Deaton added to the first-quarter surge with a 70-yard touchdown run, followed by Orr's second touchdown reception of 56 yards.

Greensboro (1-4, 1-2 USAS) got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with Thomas Chapman's 21-yard field goal. Brevard responded when Chancellor Lee-Parker scored on a 16-yard run, pushing the lead to 35-3 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, Brevard added its final touchdown on Beamish's 31-yard pass to Reggie Taylor II. Greensboro scored their lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter on Quinton Solomon's 23-yard run.

Brevard's defense limited Greensboro to 287 total yards and forced two turnovers. Adam Chaney and Baylee Ramey led the Tornados' defense with eight tackles each, while Robert Dorsey recorded one and a half sacks and forced a fumble.

For Greensboro, Jayden Morrison completed 8 of 18 passes for 55 yards, while Jaquavius Weldon led the rushing attack with 28 yards on eight carries. Defensively, Ziere Ray recorded nine tackles and one and a half sacks in the losing effort.

The win keeps Brevard undefeated in conference play, while Greensboro drops to 1-2 in USA South competition.

MONTGOMERY, AL – The Brevard College football team (2-4, 2-1 USA South) fell by a final of 38-14 to No. 23/25 Huntingdon College (5-1, 3-0 USAS) on Saturday afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama.

Huntingdon, who was ranked in the top 25 of all NCAA DIII football teams in both the D3foootball.com and the AFCA coaches poll, put up 31 unanswered points that included 24 points in the first half en route to the 24-point victory.

Senior wide receiver Dalton Cole totaled 162 yards of total offense, rushing for 48 yards on seven carries while logging 114 passing yards after taking over at quarterback late in the first half for the Tornados. Cole, a former USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year at the quarterback position, went 9-for-22 with three interceptions and a rushing TD under center.

Mitchell Yoder dashed for 56 yards on 10 carries, while Freddie Aiken III punched the ball in for his first touchdown of the 2022 season. Jaden O'Leary led all Tornados with four catches and 39 yards receiving.

Stamati Damalos made a pair of extra points, while Cooper Hogan averaged 27.3 yards-per-return and a long of 42 on kickoff returns. Joe Powell handled the punting duties for the second-consecutive week, averaging 37.3 yards per attempt.

Senior linebacker Toby Naylor led all Tornados with nine tackles, including a team-best three tackles-for-loss. KJ Dagout matched his season-high with seven tackles, while Tyler Harrison added six tackles. Trey Williams logged a pair of TFL's while James Woods, Grequenceo Coger Jr., Reece Rubio, and Eli Everhart also totaled tackles-for-loss.

Both teams traded punts on their first possessions, but after a three-and-out from the Tornado offense, Huntingdon struck first with a 48-yard drive on eight plays that ended with a Kahari McReynolds touchdown run that gave the hosts the early advantage, 7-0.

BC was able to get a first down on its next possession, but was forced to punt the ball away. Huntingdon put together another lengthy drive – this one 11 plays and 69 yards – that ended with a 40-yard field goal from Will Edwards.

The Hawks scored on their third consecutive possession after another Brevard three-and-out, as a nine-play, 75-yard drive ended with Landon Cotney finding Tyler England for a 10-yard touchdown that extended the Huntingdon lead to a 17-0 margin.

The Tornados put together their most productive drive of the first half, getting the ball inside the red zone with an eight-play, 48-yard drive, but Damalos' 35-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Huntingdon was able to capitalize on the missed opportunity, marching down the field 80 yards in just five plays to extend the lead, 24-0, as the hosts took this 24-point cushion into the halftime locker rooms.

Huntingdon continued its positive momentum on the first drive of the second half, going 58 yards in just seven plays as McReynolds rushed for his second TD of the day to extend the lead, 31-0. Both teams traded punts before the Hawks picked Cole off for the second time, but BC's defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession. Both sides again traded punts as the contest shifted to the fourth quarter with the hosts in command, 31-0.

Cole orchestrated BC's best drive of the afternoon – a nine-play, 54-yard possession that ended with Cole punching the ball in from a yard out as the Tornados cut the deficit back down to 24 points, 31-7.

After the Tornado defense forced another three-and-out, BC put together its longest drive of the day, running 10 plays for 77 yards and finishing with Aiken III's first touchdown of the season, as the lead shrunk to 17 points for Huntingdon, 31-14.

The Hawks were able to put the game on ice with a seven-play, 48-yard drive that ended with another Cotney touchdown pass. BC's final drive of the game ended with an interception as the Tornados fell for the first time in conference play.

Huntingdon outgained Brevard 434-250, including a 292-129 advantage in the passing game. Huntingdon controlled the ball for over 35 minutes of the game and converted 25 first downs while forcing three turnovers defensively.

Brevard will look to bounce back next weekend as the Tornados return to Ives-Lemel Family Field to take on LaGrange College on Saturday, October 22 at 3 p.m.

 

Story courtesy of Brevard Athletics

Four FBS teams will go bowling this year while the last remaining playoff team in the state was defeated.

Won a Bowl Game…
Brevard (8-2) – The Division III Tornados won the Scotty Whitelaw Bowl in Pittsburgh against Carnegie Mellon, 42-28.

Going Bowling…
Appalachian State (12-1) – defeated Louisiana in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game, 45-38, to secure a trip to the New Orleans Bowl (CUSA).

Wake Forest (8-4) – finished the regular season in a three-way tie for third in the ACC Atlantic Division to earn a berth to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl to face Michigan State (6-6) of the Big Ten.

Charlotte (7-5) – accepted a bid to the Bahamas Bowl and will face Buffalo (7-5) out of the MAC. Charlotte will be making their first appearance in a bowl game in program history.

North Carolina (6-6) – The Tar Heels became bowl eligible with a 42-10 win over NC State this past Saturday and earned a berth in the Military Bowl where they will face Temple of the American Athletic Conference.

North Carolina A&T (8-3) – the Aggies secured a berth in the Celebration Bowl for the third straight year and fourth time overall in the bowl’s five-year history. NC A&T won the Celebration bowl in 2015, 2017, and 2018 and will face Alcorn State (9-3) of the SWAC in the 2019 edition of this game.

In the Playoffs…
No remaining North Carolina teams in any playoff

Staying Home During Bowl Season…
Duke (5-7)
ECU (4-8)
NC State (4-8)

Season Over…
Lenoir Rhyne (13-1) – lost against West Florida, 43-38, in Super Region 2 final.

Wingate (10-2) – lost against West Florida, 38-17, in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Not in the Playoffs…
FCS – No North Carolina FCS teams qualified for the FCS playoffs this season for the first time since 2015.
Campbell (6-5)
Davidson (8-4)
Elon (5-6)
Gardner-Webb (3-9)
North Carolina Central (4-8)
Western Carolina (3-9)

Division II
Catawba (1-10)
Chowan (3-7)
Elizabeth City State (2-9)
Fayetteville State (8-2) – Broncos won the CIAA South and were defeated in the CIAA championship game.
Johnson C. Smith (4-6)
Livingstone (4-6)
Mars Hill (5-6)
St. Augustine’s (2-8)
Shaw (6-4)
Pembroke (4-7)
Winston-Salem State (4-6)

Division III
Greensboro (1-9)
Guilford (2-8)
Methodist (4-6)
NC Wesleyan (6-4)