Winston-Salem, N.C.
December 11, 2010

On a brisk, chilly day at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, the Davie County War Eagles, this year’s Cinderella story, faced off against the Hillside Hornets of Durham for the 4A crown in the 97th annual NCHSAA football championships. A crowd of almost 11,000 was on hand to witness two teams each fighting for their first state title in football.

Davie won the opening toss, deferring their option to the second half, but the day went downhill quickly for the War Eagles. Although having the support of nearly 7,000 orange-clad fans cheering them on, Davie could only muster 24 yards on 12 offensive plays in the first quarter against a speedy and aggressive Hornet defense. Georgia Tech commit Vad Lee was the star of the first period, throwing for two touchdowns and 100 yards on only three passes while also rushing for 36 yards. Not wanting to be let out of the scoring, Hornet defensive lineman Ronald Thompson picked off and ill-advised Davie pass and returned it thirty yards for a touchdown. With only 6:17 elapsed in the first quarter, Hillside had accumulated a commanding 20-0 lead over the War Eagles.

The second quarter was much like the first, with Hillside moving the ball up and down the field on a defense that had yet to acclimate itself to the high octane Hornet offense. Davie didn’t help itself with a botched punt deep in its own end, giving Hillside the ball at the Davie 21. Three plays later and Hillside was in the end zone with a 28-0 lead. The War Eagles finally were able to mount a sustained drive in the second quarter, moving 47 yards in seven plays, but the drive stalled out on a failed fourth down conversion in Hillside territory. Hillside, showing they were not just a quick strike team, mounted their own drive, going 75 yards in eight plays and scoring another touchdown, this time an 11 yard run by Jamaal Williams. After forcing a three and out, the Hornet offense was back to work and moved methodically down the field with another episode of the Vad Lee show. Lee accounted for 42 of the 54 yards on the drive along with the 11 yard touchdown pass to Jarrell Jones.

Both teams came out in the second half with something to prove. Hillside wanted to win their first football title, while Davie wanted to show people they belonged in the title game. Most of the action in the third quarter consisted of both teams trading offensive drives and turnovers, resulting in no points.

The fourth quarter began with Davie trying desperately to maintain a full drive and scoring on the Hornet defense for the first time. Eating up the clock with a steady diet of Stephon Smoot runs, the War Eagles were able to make it into Hillside territory but were once again unable to convert on a fourth down play, giving the ball back to the Hornets. Hillside, not willing to sit on the ball, gave it back to Davie with an interception deep in Davie territory, working just as well as a punt. The game ended with Davie unable to score on Hillside in spite of making it all the way down to the Hornet 4 yard line.

Cheers of “I go to Hillside, H-H-S!” came from the band as the clock began to wind down. Gatorade streamed down coach Antonio King’s back as his team celebrated their first state championship in football. The large orange crowd on the Davie side thanked their War Eagles for a great season as they accepted the runner-up trophy at midfield. But, an enormous roar came from the Hillside faithful as the team was handed the championship trophy and banner during the postgame awards ceremony. Davie’s Alex Newman and Jacob Barber represented the War Eagles, winning the outstanding defensive and offensive players for the Western Regional champions. For the state champions, Ronald Thompson was outstanding defensive player and Jamaal Williams was the outstanding offensive player. The Wendy’s Most Valuable Player for the 4A championship was Hillside quarterback Vad Lee, who finished the day with 264 yards passing and three touchdowns.


Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Hillside 20 20 0 0 40
Davie 0 0 0 0 0

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
9:39 Hillside – Aquez Willis 40 yard pass from Vad Lee (Vad Lee pass failed)
7-0
7:28 Hillside – Shawn Malloy 57 yard pass from Vad Lee (Jamaal Williams pass from Vad Lee)
14-0
5:52 Hillside – Ronald Thompson 30 yard interception return (F. Adujua kick failed)
20-0

2nd Quarter
10:01 Hillside – Jamaal Williams 32 yard run (D. Watson pass from Vad Lee)
28-0
2:50 Hillside – Jamaal Williams 11 yard run (F. Adujua kick failed)
34-0
0:33 Hillside – Jarrell Jones 11 yard pass from Vad Lee (Vad Lee pass failed)
40-0

Its state championship weekend and 16 teams are hoping for the state’s biggest prize at stadiums in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem. This is the 97th annual NCHSAA state championship in football. Each of the teams involved are to be commended for their efforts and achievements this season. Although only 8 will be crowned state champions, every team playing this week is a winner.

Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week

Voting for the Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week resulted in one game receiving 33% of the votes cast. The Carolina Gridiron Game of the Week for Week 17 – Championship Weekend – is the battle for the 4A Championship between Davie County and Durham Hillside.

Western Regional Champ Davie County comes into the game with a 9-6 record and is appearing in their first title game. The War Eagles started the season 0-3 and are averaging 20 points on offense using a multiple spread formation. Quarterback Carson Herndon leads the offense with over 2300 yards passing and 19 touchdowns. Running backs Stephon Smoot and Jacob Barber have combined for almost 1300 yards rushing while wide receiver Joe Watson has scored 12 times while amassing over 1000 receiving yards. On defense, defensive back Alex Newman and linebacker Jared Barber lead a War Eagle defense giving up 22 points a game. Although Davie only had a 5-6 record at the beginning of the playoffs, their strength of schedule was the second toughest in the state. The War Eagles played traditional powers West Rowan, Greenville Rose, Thomasville, and Salisbury in their nonconference schedule. Davie played tough teams Winston-Salem Mount Tabor and North Davidson in conference, losing both games. Davie had the last laugh by returning the favor and beating both teams in the first two rounds of the playoffs.



Coaches Corner – Davie coach Doug Illing had the following to say about his team, “it has been full circle…started off 0-3 then 1-4… after overcoming injuries and moving people around on the OL we began to mess and play together at the right time…” Coach Illing speaks so highly of his team and “their belief in eachother and this team is the reason we are playing on Saturday…they never gave up or gave in to a losing season of 5-6 going into the playoffs.” Illing also went on to talk about the season. “After finishing the season 5-6 and getting beat 52-28 in the last game against North Davidson, we had to play ND in the first round and we are down 10-0 at half and come back and beat them 35-10… then have to play Mt tabor who beat us 34-0 three weeks prior and we beat them in OT 30-29…. so that got us going in the playoffs playing with a lot of confidence….” Thanks Coach Illing for providing this information.

Coming into the game with a perfect 15-0 record are the Eastern Regional Champions, the Hillside Hornets from Durham. Coach Antonio King has led Hillside to their first championship game appearance in his first season as head coach of the Hornets. The Hornets were regional runners-up two years ago losing to Fayetteville Byrd in a defensive struggle 9-7. The Hornets utilize a West Coast style offense that has dominated many defenses while scoring 40 points a game. Quarterback Vad Lee is the key to the Hornet’s offense throwing for almost 3000 yards this season and 23 touchdowns. Other key players on offense include running back Jamaal Williams (1177 yards, 10 TD) and receiver Shawn Malloy (26 receptions, 9 TD). The Hornets’ defense has shut down opposing offenses allowing only 10 points a game. Defensive tackle Anthony Talley, safety Meyer Krah, linebacker Lee Williams and defensive ends Jamal Marcus and Treshawn Council (ECU recruit) anchor a defense that has registered three shutouts this season, including one in the playoffs.



Coaches Corner – No information received from the Hillside coaching staff yet.


This has the makings of a really good game, matching the undefeated Hornets versus the never say quit War Eagles. With both teams making their first appearance in the state title game, I’m sure the fans will be out in droves at Wake Forest’s BB&T Field. Follow the game action on our Twitter, @NCGridiron.


The official CGI prediction: Hillside 27 Davie County 17