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.

CHAPEL HILL – In a highly anticipated clash at Kenan Memorial Stadium, the Hickory Red Tornadoes secured a historic victory in the 3A State Championship game against the Seventy-First Falcons, marking their first NCHSAA Football State Championship since 1996. The game kicked off with both teams boasting undefeated records, intensifying the stakes.

Hickory initiated the scoring with a 15-play, 74-yard drive culminating in a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Isaiah Lackey, setting the tone for the night. Seventy-First responded with a well-executed 12-play, 72-yard drive, as Deandre Nance connected with Amire Drummond for a 13-yard touchdown pass, evening the score at 7-7 by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter witnessed a relentless exchange of touchdowns. Isaiah Lackey’s second touchdown of the night, along with a successful two-point conversion, changed the pace of the game. Seventy-First’s Deandre Nance responded with a short keeper, but an unsuccessful PAT attempt kept the Red Tornadoes in the lead. Hickory managed to secure a 5-point lead at halftime with a 26-yard field goal by Braeden McCourt as time expired.

The third quarter brought a pivotal moment as Seventy-First's Nance spearheaded a swift five-play, 88-yard drive, breaking through Hickory's defense for a 38-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Falcons their first, and only, lead of the night going into the final quarter. However, the Red Tornadoes responded emphatically in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Lackey bulldozed his way to a 12-yard rushing touchdown, his third of the night, and coupled with a successful 2-point conversion, propelled Hickory to a 26-19 lead. The Falcons fought back and tied the game at 26-26 with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jaydyn Surgeon.

In a nail-biting climax, with just 36 seconds on the clock, Hickory's MVP Brady Stober orchestrated a game-winning drive, capping it off with an 8-yard touchdown run. Stober's stellar performance, finishing 21-of-30 for 238 yards through the air and contributing 46 yards and a touchdown on the ground, solidified his MVP status.

The Falcons launched a final threat in the dying moments, but Hickory's Will Prince secured the victory with an interception in the end zone as time expired. The Red Tornadoes concluded the season with a flawless 16-0 record, marking their second appearance in the state finals and a triumphant return to championship glory.

A Clash of Titans

Hickory, the West No. 2 seed, is coming into the game with a strong record. The team edged No. 4 Seed Dudley 42-41 in the 3A Regional Championships, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 1:36 left in the fourth quarter. This victory marks their return to the Championship Game for the first time since 1996.

On the other hand, Seventy-First is making a triumphant return to the state championship for the first time since 2008. They secured their spot after beating No. 11 Seed Northern Nash 50-36, avenging a loss to Northern Nash in the same round last year. Deandre Nance, the team’s star player, was responsible for six touchdowns in the win, running for four and throwing for two.

Stats and Team Leaders

When comparing team stats, both teams have their strengths. Seventy-First excels in rushing yards per game with 348.7, compared to Hickory’s 205.9. However, Hickory outperforms in passing yards per game with 247.4, against Seventy-First’s 104.3. Both teams are nearly neck-and-neck in total yards per game, with Seventy-First at 452.9 and Hickory at 453.3.

In terms of team leaders, Deandre Nance of Seventy-First leads in rushing yards per game (102.1), passing yards per game (103.3), total yards per game (205.4), and points per game (15.3). On Hickory’s side, Brady Stober leads in passing yards per game (246.3) and total yards per game (251.6), while Isaiah Lackey leads in rushing yards per game (119.8) and points per game (13.6).

Season Recap

Both teams have had impressive seasons leading up to the championship. Seventy-First boasts a winning streak, with victories over Richmond, Pine Forest, Hoke County, South View, Gray’s Creek, Cape Fear, Jack Britt, Purnell Swett, Lumberton, Douglas Byrd, Triton, Williams, Fike, Southern Alamance, and Northern Nash.

Hickory, on the other hand, has also had a successful season with wins against Hibriten, Newton-Conover, Cox Mill, East Lincoln, North Lincoln, St. Stephens, North Iredell, West Iredell, Foard, Statesville, Huss, North Lincoln, A.C. Reynolds, West Henderson, and Dudley.

With both teams bringing their A-game, the NCHSAA 3A Championship promises to be a thrilling event. As the teams prepare for the big game, fans eagerly await to see who will emerge as the champion. Stay tuned for more updates!

SALISBURY – Livingstone football maintained their impressive form with a decisive 34-14 victory over St. Augustine’s Saturday afternoon. The Blue Bears have now won four of their last five games, demonstrating a remarkable resurgence, while St. Augustine’s continued to struggle, falling to a 0-9 record.

The Blue Bears set the tone for the game early in the first quarter when quarterback Brenton Hilton connected with Angel Carrillo for a seven-yard touchdown pass. This swift strike put Livingstone on the scoreboard with a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, Livingstone’s defense came into the spotlight as Osmanis Aguilera made a pivotal play, stripping the ball from St. Augustine’s quarterback during a pass play. Kobe Pringle recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, extending Livingstone’s lead to 14-0. Late in the first half, as halftime approached, Livingstone was eager to add to their lead. Quarterback Marcus Drish displayed his skills, dropping back to pass and then scrambling to his left before finding the endzone. This extended Livingstone’s lead to 21-0 as they headed into halftime.

While St. Augustine’s managed to find the endzone in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 21-7, Livingstone quickly responded in the fourth quarter. Marcus Drish delivered a perfectly placed pass into the back corner of the endzone, connecting with Davontay Deloatch to re-establish a three-score lead. Drish finished with 149 passing yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he added 25 yards on the ground along with another touchdown. Deloatch was the primary target for Drish, hauling in six receptions for 94 yards along with the score that put the distance between Livingston and the defense.

The game saw notable performances from St. Augustine’s players, including Anthony Archie, who led the Falcons’ rushers with 68 yards and averaged an impressive 6.8 yards per carry. Archie also added 47 receiving yards to his contribution. Meanwhile, Deandre Proctor was instrumental with five catches for 50 yards, including a touchdown.

Jamieson Alston stood out on the defensive front for St. Augustine’s, collecting six tackles and intercepting a pass. Alongside Alston, Omarion Huntley contributed significantly to the team’s efforts. Defensively, St. Augustine’s managed to hold Livingstone’s rushing attack in check, limiting the Blue Bears to just 147 yards on the ground.

Livingstone’s next challenge will see them conclude their season on Saturday, November 4, as they head to Charlotte to face Johnson C. Smith while St. Augustine’s wraps up their season against Raleigh rival Shaw.