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

In the 4A classification, defending champion Weddington claims the top spot, followed closely by Butler and Grimsley. The Warriors from Weddington are poised to repeat, building on their recent successes and adding additional power through new players on the roster. Butler and Grimsley, perennial powerhouses, are expected to provide fierce competition for the Warriors throughout the season.

Notable entries in the 4A rankings include Independence at number 5, a program with a storied history in North Carolina high school football. East Forsyth and Cardinal Gibbons, ranked 7th and 8th respectively, are also teams to watch, known for their state titles in recent years.

4A Top 15

1. Weddington

2. Butler

3. Grimsley

4. Hough

5. Independence

6. Rolesville

7. East Forsyth

8. Cardinal Gibbons

9. Cleveland

10. Hoggard

11. Mallard Creek

12. Chambers

13. Porter Ridge

14. Myers Park

15. Watauga

Moving to the 3A classification, defending champion Hickory leads the pack, with Seventy-First and Crest rounding out the top three. With much of the roster returning, the Tornadoes are primed for another standout season. Dudley, sitting at number 4, is another program with a strong football tradition that could challenge for the top spot as the season progresses.

The 3A rankings also feature some intriguing teams like West Henderson and AC Reynolds at 5th and 6th, respectively. These mountain region schools could shake up the rankings as the season unfolds.

3A Top 15

1. Hickory

2. Seventy-First

3. Crest

4. Dudley

5. West Henderson

6. AC Reynolds

7. Robinson

8. North Lincoln

9. West Charlotte

10. Havelock

11. Northern Nash

12. Southern Alamance

13. Jacksonville

14. Williams

15. Northwest Cabarrus

In the 2A classification, the Reidsville Rams claim the number one position, followed by Monroe and Forest Hills. Reidsville’s dominance in recent years makes them a favorite to maintain their top ranking. However, traditional powerhouses like Salisbury and Shelby, ranked 4th and 5th, are sure to provide stiff competition.

The 2A rankings also include some programs on the rise, such as Bunker Hill and Burns at 7th and 8th. These teams could be poised for breakout seasons that catapult them up the rankings.

2A Top 15

1. Reidsville

2. Monroe

3. Forest Hills

4. Salisbury

5. Shelby

6. Clinton

7. Bunker Hill

8. Burns

9. Randleman

10. Northeastern

11. West Lincoln

12. Brevard

13. Lincolnton

14. Whiteville

15. CS Davidson

Finally, in the 1A classification, Mount Airy stands atop the rankings, with Eastern Randolph and Tarboro close behind. Even with a new coaching staff, Mount Airy’s returning roster is setting high expectations for the Granite Bears this season. Tarboro, a consistent force in 1A football and last year’s runner-up, will be looking to climb from their 3rd place preseason ranking.

The 1A rankings also feature some intriguing small-school programs like Robbinsville and Swain County at 4th and 5th. These mountain schools have a history of punching above their weight and could make significant moves in the rankings.

1A Top 15

1. Mount Airy

2. Eastern Randolph

3. Tarboro

4. Robbinsville

5. Swain County

6. North Rowan

7. Mountain Heritage

8. Thomasville

9. Murphy

10. West Columbus

11. Hayesville

12. Wilson Prep

13. Starmount

14. East Bladen

15. Draughn

As with any preseason rankings, these are based on a mix of expectations and roster retention. The true test will come when teams take the field this fall. Fans can expect intense rivalries, upset victories, and emerging stars as the season unfolds across all four classifications.

Carolina Gridiron’s rankings provide a starting point for discussions and debates among high school football enthusiasts across the state. As teams begin their seasons this week, these rankings will serve as motivation for some and a target for others.

The diversity of schools represented in these rankings showcases the depth and quality of high school football across North Carolina. From large urban schools to small rural programs, the passion for football runs deep in the Old North State.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on these top-ranked teams to see if they can live up to their preseason billing. But in high school football, anything can happen, and that’s what makes the upcoming season so exciting for players, coaches, and fans alike.

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!