Thanksgiving week delivered a feast of football drama as North Carolina’s high school playoff field was trimmed to the Elite Eight across most classifications. From razor-thin finishes to statement wins, the fourth round and regional championships brought the kind of tension that defines late-November football.

1A: Robbinsville, Wilson Prep Punch Tickets to Chapel Hill

The 1A state championship matchup is officially set.

In the East, Wilson Prep rolled past Northside-Pinetown 50-22 to claim the regional title. The Tigers have scored at least 50 points in back-to-back playoff games, and their offense continued to dictate the tempo throughout the night.

In the West, Robbinsville defeated South Davidson 41-7, extending a postseason run that has included strong defensive efforts and consistent offensive balance.

State Championship:

Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville, Dec. 11

8A: Millbrook Edges Hoggard; Hough Shuts Out West Charlotte

The 8A playoffs produced one of the week’s biggest results as Millbrook went on the road and beat Hoggard 14-7 to win the East Regional. Millbrook held Hoggard to a single score, leaning on a disciplined defensive performance and timely offense.

In the West, Hough blanked West Charlotte 24-0, continuing a defensive surge that has defined its playoff run. The Huskies have allowed seventeen total points across their three playoff games.

State Championship:

Millbrook vs. Hough, Dec. 11

2A: Murphy Advances; Starmount Rolls; Tarboro and Warren County Set Up East Clash

In the West, Murphy survived a high-scoring matchup to reach the regional final, while Starmount defeated Mitchell 58-22 to advance.

In the East, Tarboro extended its dominant playoff run with a 54-7 win over East Bladen, and Warren County handled Holmes 40-14.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Tarboro vs. Warren County

West: Murphy vs. Starmount

3A: Lincolnton Stays Hot; Shelby Survives; East Final Set

Lincolnton continued its postseason surge with a 55-20 win over West Davidson. The Wolves’ offense once again set the tone after knocking out top-seeded Mountain Heritage a week earlier.

They’ll face Shelby, which earned a 43-41 win over Eastern Randolph in one of the week’s closest games.

In the East, James Kenan defeated Farmville Central 51-32, and Kinston edged Northeastern 27-24, setting up a high-stakes regional final.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: James Kenan vs. Kinston

West: Lincolnton vs. Shelby

4A: One-Point Thriller in the West; Reidsville and West Craven Roll in the East

The West produced one of the weekend’s tightest finishes as Maiden escaped Hibriten 29-28 to advance. They’ll meet Brevard, which defeated Pisgah 49-28.

In the East, Reidsville continued its strong playoff push with a 53-20 win over Central Davidson, while West Craven moved past SouthWest Edgecombe 40-12.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Reidsville vs. West Craven

West: Brevard vs. Maiden

5A: Hunt Holds Off Croatan; Crest Ousts Top Seed; Hickory Advances

Hunt won one of the week’s closest games, beating Croatan 32-29 to reach the East Regional Final. They’ll meet Northside-Jacksonville, which defeated Rocky Mount 21-6.

In the West, Crest earned a 28-14 win over top-seeded South Point, while Hickory advanced with a 36-29 victory against Jay M. Robinson.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Hunt vs. Northside-Jacksonville

West: Crest vs. Hickory

6A: Close Calls in the West; Jacksonville and Middle Creek Move On in the East

The West semifinals brought drama as Watauga edged Sun Valley 31-28, while Northern Guilford defeated Ashbrook 39-14 to move into the regional final.

In the East, Jacksonville defeated Union Pines 34-7, and Middle Creek earned a 31-24 win over Northern Nash.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Jacksonville vs. Middle Creek

West: Watauga vs. Northern Guilford

7A: Cardinal Gibbons Edges Garner; Clayton Advances; Grimsley and Weddington Control the West

Cardinal Gibbons earned a hard-fought 16-14 win over Garner to reach the East Regional Final. They’ll play Clayton, which defeated Southeast Raleigh 35-21.

In the West, Grimsley beat Reagan 24-7, and Weddington topped Independence 21-6 to set up a powerhouse regional matchup.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Cardinal Gibbons vs. Clayton

West: Grimsley vs. Weddington

GAMES TO WATCH (Dec. 5 Regional Championships)

Marquee Matchups

Tarboro vs. Warren County (2A East) - Both coming off big wins

Grimsley vs. Weddington (7A West) - Two heavyweights with dominant defenses

Reidsville vs. West Craven (4A East) - Tradition-rich showdown

Teams on Cinderella Runs

Lincolnton (3A West) - Two straight playoff upsets sets up match #8 Wolves and #10 Golden Lions

Kinston (3A East) - Can the #14 Vikings take down #1 James Kenan?

Potential Toss-Ups

Maiden vs. Brevard (4A West) - After Maiden’s one-point escape, another tight finish is possible in this “Battle of the Blue Devils”

Hunt vs. Northside-Jacksonville (5A East) - Both coming off strong defensive performances

High-Intrigue Games

Murphy vs. Starmount (2A West) - A contrast in tempos

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Clayton (7A East) - Clayton looking to knock off another big-name program

By the Numbers

Closest Games: Cardinal Gibbons 16-14 over Garner; Maiden 29-28 over Hibriten

Largest Margin: Lincolnton 55-20 over West Davidson

Shutouts: Hough 24-0 over West Charlotte

CHARLOTTE – Frostburg State used a powerful ground attack and a persistent defensive effort to defeat Johnson C. Smith, 21-7, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Championship. Playing in JCSU’s first-ever home playoff game, the Bobcats controlled the line of scrimmage, accumulating 496 total yards compared to the Golden Bulls’ 282 total yards.

Frostburg State, the Mountain East co-champions, established a clear advantage in first downs, totaling 20 to Johnson C. Smith’s 15. This was largely fueled by their success on the ground, where the Bobcats secured 10 first downs rushing against only 3 for JCSU. The Bobcats also proved far more efficient on third down, converting on 5 of 13 attempts, while the Golden Bulls managed only 1 of 10.

Ground Game and Early Leads

The Bobcats' victory was anchored by running back KJ Smothers, who accounted for all three Frostburg State touchdowns. Smothers carried the ball 16 times for 115 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter that put the Bobcats on the board, following a Marquise Allsup interception.

First Quarter: Frostburg State took a 7-0 lead on Smothers’ long run at the 00:40 mark, which was quickly followed by a successful extra point from B. Keen. This drive was set up by a 48-yard punt return by Austin Paul-Umstead to the JCSU 32-yard line.

Second Quarter: Smothers scored again early in the second quarter on a 2-yard plunge, extending the lead to 14-0. The drive included a 40-yard completion from quarterback Jordan Brooks to Ray Adames.

Brooks finished the game 9-for-23 for 179 yards with one interception. Wide receiver Cruiz Paul-Umstead was the leading receiver with 4 receptions for 92 yards. The Bobcats’ overall rushing attack finished with 188 yards on 41 attempts. Owen Doyle contributed 95 yards on 19 carries.

JCSU’s Passing and Frostburg State Defense

Johnson C. Smith relied heavily on their passing game and the receiving efforts of Deandre Proctor. Quarterback Kelvin Durham completed 18 of 28 passes for 219 yards, but he was intercepted twice, once by Wylan Harich in the first quarter and once by Marquise Allsup. JCSU rushed for only 36 total yards on 27 attempts, with Bobby Smith leading the team with 42 yards.

Proctor was a key target for the Golden Bulls, catching 14 passes for 139 yards. His long catch of 33 yards set up JCSU’s only scoring drive. The Golden Bulls’ longest offensive play was a 41-yard pass from Durham to Isaiah Perry in the fourth quarter.

The Johnson C. Smith defense managed to force a turnover on downs at the end of the second quarter, stopping a Bobcats drive at the JCSU 39-yard line. They also successfully pressured Jordan Brooks, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss.

The Second Half

Johnson C. Smith found the end zone midway through the third quarter after a long drive. Starting from their own 20-yard line, the Golden Bulls moved the ball downfield, with Durham connecting with Proctor for a 33-yard gain. The drive culminated in the team’s only touchdown, a 7-yard touchdown reception by Deandre Proctor from Kelvin Durham with 4:04 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 14-7.

The Frostburg State defense responded in the fourth quarter, forcing a critical turnover by recovering a fumble on a Bobby Smith rush at the Bobcats’ 29-yard line, which was forced by Christian Taylor and recovered by Rainer Haveland. This came immediately after Durham’s 41-yard pass to Isaiah Perry had moved the Golden Bulls into scoring territory.

The Bobcats capitalized on the turnover, driving 71 yards to secure the win. KJ Smothers delivered his third and final touchdown of the day with a 5-yard run with 0:56 left in the game, bringing the final score to 21-7.

Linebacker Christian Taylor was a force for the Bobcats, recording 8 total tackles (7 solo) and a game-high 4 sacks for a loss. Josh McTier led the Frostburg State defense with 10 total tackles (9 solo). For Johnson C. Smith, Vincent Hill led the team with 9 total tackles (8 solo).

Looking Forward

Despite the outcome of their first-round playoff game, Johnson C. Smith concludes its 2025 campaign with a 10-2 record, marking the best season ever for the Golden Bulls football program. The team secured a CIAA Championship and hosted its first home playoff contest, achievements that underscore a profound success in Charlotte. While the pursuit of a national title ends here, the foundation laid by this historic season, culminating with double-digit wins and a conference championship, serves as a clear signal of the program’s arrival on the national stage.

The North Carolina high school football playoffs delivered another weekend of drama, dominance, and down-to-the-wire finishes as teams battled for spots in the Elite Eight across all eight classifications. From one-point nail-biters to stunning blowouts, the third round showcased the best of Tar Heel State football.

1A: Robbinsville, Wilson Prep Roll to Regional Finals

In 1A, the favorites flexed their muscles as Robbinsville demolished East Columbus 54-7 to set up a West Regional showdown with South Davidson, who handled Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy 27-12. The Black Knights' suffocating defense and explosive offense have them looking like the team to beat.

In the East, Wilson Prep bounced back from their close second-round win to dominate KIPP Pride 42-16, while Northside Pinetown delivered a statement performance in a 43-6 thrashing of Bear Grass Charter. The regional final between Wilson Prep and Northside Pinetown promises to be a defensive battle between two of the East's stingiest units.

2A: Murphy and Starmount Roll

Murphy's remarkable season rolled on with perhaps their most impressive performance yet, a 62-20 dismantling of Community School of Davidson that wasn't as close as the final score indicates. The Bulldogs face Corvian Community next, who survived a physical 31-28 battle with East Wilkes.

On the other side of the West bracket, Starmount blanked South Stanly 35-0 in dominant fashion, setting up a fourth-round clash with Mitchell, who upset Mountain Island Charter 28-15.

In the East, top-seeded Tarboro continued their march with a 47-14 victory over Hobbton, while East Bladen's 38-21 win over Manteo kept their Cinderella story alive. The bracket's other half features Warren County, who controlled East Carteret 44-23, and Holmes, who edged North Duplin in a hard-fought 34-28 contest.

3A: Upset Alert in the West

The third round's biggest shock came in 3A West, where Lincolnton stunned top-seeded Mountain Heritage 37-36 in a game that came down to the final possession. The Wolves now face West Davidson, another surprise winner who knocked off North Stanly 23-21.

Elsewhere in the West, Shelby demolished Mount Airy 41-21 to stay on track, while Eastern Randolph handled Walkertown 30-14.

In the East, James Kenan put on an offensive clinic in a 54-26 victory over Ayden-Grifton, while Farmville Central grinded out a 28-20 win over Martin County. The top half of the bracket features Northeastern, who dominated Pender 52-34, and Kinston, who dispatched Pasquotank County 34-20.

4A: Photo Finishes and Defensive Battles

In 4A East, top-seeded Reidsville weathered a stern test from Eastern Wayne, prevailing 41-24, while Central Davidson's 40-22 win over North Pitt sets up a marquee matchup between the two powerhouses. West Craven and SouthWest Edgecombe also advanced, with the latter surviving a 44-41 thriller over East Duplin.

The West bracket saw Brevard edge Burns 30-27 in a defensive slugfest, while Pisgah's 22-15 win over Mount Pleasant keeps their championship hopes alive. Hibriten held off Stuart W. Cramer 14-9, and Maiden cruised past Newton-Conover 29-6.

5A: Offensive Explosions Highlight Round Three

South Point put up video game numbers in a 61-42 shootout over Monroe, serving notice that their high-powered offense is ready for anyone. They'll face Crest, who dominated East Lincoln 31-14.

In the other West semifinal, Jay M. Robinson outlasted Oak Grove 41-33, setting up a date with Hickory, who rolled past Franklin 36-14.

The East bracket features Hunt, who handled Southern Nash 42-21, facing Croatan in what promises to be a defensive chess match after Croatan's heart-stopping 22-21 win over Havelock. Rocky Mount's 31-12 victory over Northeast Guilford sets up a clash with Northside-Jacksonville, who edged St. Pauls 28-21.

6A: One-Point Thrillers Steal the Show

The 6A East produced the weekend's most dramatic finish as Jacksonville survived a 35-34 nail-biter against Scotland. The Cardinals will need to recover quickly for a fourth-round battle with Union Pines, who upset Williams 17-7. The other East semifinal pits Northern Nash, victorious 19-14 over Seventy-First, against Middle Creek, who escaped Southern Alamance with a 31-30 squeaker.

In the West, Watauga's 27-19 win over Charlotte Catholic sets up a showdown with Sun Valley, who dominated Freedom 46-20 in the upset of the round. Northern Guilford destroyed Kings Mountain 37-7 and will face Ashbrook, who edged Dudley 15-7 in a defensive struggle.

7A: Favorites Flex Their Muscles

The 7A bracket saw the cream rise to the top as all four top seeds advanced in dominant fashion. Cardinal Gibbons rolled past Hillside 40-19, while Garner put up a stunning 63-26 demolition of Cape Fear that has the Trojans looking like legitimate title contenders.

Southeast Raleigh's 49-37 win over Cleveland and Clayton's 47-7 thrashing of D.H. Conley complete the East's Final Four.

In the West, Grimsley made a statement with a 55-12 blowout of Jack Britt, while Reagan survived a heart-stopper against Mooresville 32-31. Weddington cruised past Lake Norman 42-7, and Independence dominated Richmond Senior 52-18.

The Cardinal Gibbons-Garner matchup looms as the game of the weekend, pitting two explosive offenses against each other in what could be a shootout for the ages.

8A: Charlotte Metro Showdown Set

In the state's largest classification, Hoggard continued their dominant run with a 40-14 victory over Rolesville, setting up an East Regional final against Millbrook, who handled Jordan 27-10.

The West Regional will be an all-Charlotte affair as Hough dismantled West Forsyth 28-10 to earn a date with West Charlotte, who knocked off Myers Park 34-21 in a battle of Mecklenburg County powers.

Looking Ahead

This week's fourth-round matchups promise to deliver even more drama as teams battle for spots in regional championships. The 2A through 7A classifications will play their fourth round on Thanksgiving week, while 1A and 8A will crown regional champions who'll advance directly to the state finals.

With favorites falling, underdogs rising, and championship dreams on the line, the 2024 playoffs continue to deliver the drama that makes North Carolina high school football special.

Notable Stats: Biggest Blowout: Garner 63, Cape Fear 26 (37 points) Closest Games: Three one-point victories (Croatan, Reagan, West Davidson) Most Points: South Point (61) Shutout: Starmount 35, South Stanly 0

1A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Regional

Wilson Prep vs. Northside Pinetown

West Regional

Robbinsville vs. South Davidson

2A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Tarboro vs. #4 East Bladen

#2 Warren County vs. #6 Holmes

West

#1 Murphy vs. #5 Corvian Community

#2 Starmount vs. #11 Mitchell

3A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 James Kenan vs. #13 Farmville Central

#7 Northeastern vs. #14 Kinston

West

#8 Lincolnton vs. #12 West Davidson

#10 Shelby vs. #3 Eastern Randolph

4A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Reidsville vs. #4 Central Davidson

#2 West Craven vs. #11 SouthWest Edgecombe

West

#1 Brevard vs. #4 Pisgah

#2 Hibriten vs. #6 Maiden

5A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Hunt vs. #4 Croatan

#7 Rocky Mount vs. #3 Northside - Jacksonville

West

#1 South Point vs. #4 Crest

#2 Jay M. Robinson vs. #3 Hickory

6A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Jacksonville vs. #4 Union Pines

#2 Northern Nash vs. #3 Middle Creek

West

#1 Watauga vs. #5 Sun Valley

#2 Northern Guilford vs. #3 Ashbrook

7A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Cardinal Gibbons vs. #4 Garner

#3 Clayton#7 vs. Southeast Raleigh 

West

#1 Grimsley vs. #5 Reagan

#2 Weddington vs. #3 Independence

8A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Regional

#1 Hoggard vs. #2 Millbrook

West Regional

#1 Hough vs. #2 West Charlotte

The second round of the NCHSAA playoffs delivered high-scoring nights, tight finishes, and dominant efforts across all eight classifications. Top seeds across the state largely held serve, while several mid-bracket teams continued surprise postseason pushes.

1A

East:
#1 KIPP Pride advanced with a 48-7 win over #8 Sallie B. Howard. #4 Wilson Prep outscored #5 SCPA 64-40, #2 Northside-Pinetown rolled past #7 Hobgood Charter 48-7, and #3 Bear Grass Charter topped #11 North Edgecombe 49-14.

West:
#1 Robbinsville powered through #9 Andrews 56-7, while #4 North Stokes fell to #5 East Columbus 32-21. #2 South Davidson defeated #7 Rosman 27-8, and #3 Thomas Jefferson Classical shut out #6 WSPA 43-0.

2A

East:
Top-seeded #1 Tarboro cruised 52-0 over #16 Camden County. #8 Hobbton edged #9 Lakewood 20-14, #4 East Bladen shut out #20 Union 50-0, and #5 Manteo beat #12 Northampton County 36-8. #2 Warren County handled #18 Rosewood 36-6, #10 East Carteret upset #7 Gates County 61-18, #3 North Duplin blanked #14 Southside 42-0, and #6 Holmes beat #11 Perquimans 55-16.

West:
#1 Murphy dominated #16 Albemarle 57-14. #9 Community School of Davidson stunned #8 Swain County 65-13, while #4 East Wilkes beat #13 Hayesville 44-7. #5 Corvian Community cruised over #12 North Rowan 45-7. #2 Starmount beat #15 Cherryville 56-7, #7 South Stanly shut out #10 Christ the King 38-0, #14 Mountain Island Charter upset #3 Alleghany 7-6, and #11 Mitchell beat #6 Bishop McGuinness 42-12.

3A

East:
#1 James Kenan beat #16 Wallace-Rose Hill 26-7. #9 Ayden-Grifton edged #8 Whiteville 27-26. #13 Farmville Central upset #4 Louisburg 58-27, #5 Martin County held off #12 Wake Prep 28-20, and #2 Pender shut out #15 Hertford County 60-0. #7 Northeastern topped #10 South Columbus 56-21. #14 Kinston upset #3 Midway 34-13, and #6 Pasquotank County beat #11 Princeton 54-41.

West:
#1 Mountain Heritage rolled past #16 West Lincoln 46-13, #9 Hendersonville fell just short against #8 Lincolnton 28-27, and #4 North Stanly held off #13 East Surry 49-45. #5 Providence Grove fell 31-21 to #12 West Davidson. #2 Mount Airy blanked #15 Thomasville 52-0, while #10 Shelby beat #7 East Rutherford 65-34. #3 Eastern Randolph beat #19 Union Academy 43-7, and #6 Walkertown shut out #22 Wheatmore 67-0.

4A

East:
#1 Reidsville dominated #17 Red Springs 44-0. #9 Eastern Wayne beat #8 Southwestern Randolph 49-0, and #4 Central Davidson downed #13 Carver 49-8. #12 North Pitt upset #5 Randleman 28-23. #2 West Craven beat #18 Roanoke Rapids 41-6, #7 T.W. Andrews defeated #10 Clinton 36-17, #3 East Duplin beat #14 North Johnston 48-20, and #11 SouthWest Edgecombe edged #6 Bunn 29-24.

West:
#1 Brevard beat #16 West Stokes 41-14. #8 Burns handled #24 West Stanly 49-7. #4 Pisgah topped #13 West Iredell 41-26, and #5 Mount Pleasant beat #12 Tuscola 44-34. #2 Hibriten beat #18 R-S Central 43-19, #7 Stuart Cramer won a 60-49 shootout over #10 Bandys, #3 Newton-Conover beat #14 Foard 24-14, and #6 Maiden beat #11 North Surry 49-21.

5A

East:
#1 Hunt held off #16 Eastern Alamance 30-28. #8 Southern Nash beat #9 Southeast Alamance 58-39, #4 Croatan defeated #20 Seaforth 49-13, and #12 Havelock upset #5 Currituck 35-14. #2 Northeast Guilford beat #11 West Carteret 49-22, #7 Rocky Mount topped #23 South Granville 28-6, #3 Northside-Jacksonville beat #19 Person 41-20, and #6 St. Pauls defeated #18 Dixon 46-32.

West:
#1 South Point beat #17 Erwin 48-13. #8 Monroe defeated #9 West Rowan 49-14, #4 Crest routed #13 Concord 69-6, and #5 East Lincoln beat #12 West Henderson 56-15. #2 Jay M. Robinson blanked #15 North Davidson 42-0, #10 Oak Grove upset #7 Northwest Cabarrus 36-7, #3 Hickory routed #19 Montgomery Central 45-6, and #6 Franklin edged #11 Forest Hills 14-13.

6A

East:
#1 Jacksonville beat #16 Harnett Central 52-12. #8 Scotland outlasted #9 Terry Sanford 49-40. #4 Union Pines shut out #13 Lee County 35-0, and #5 Williams defeated #12 Franklinton 49-12. #2 Northern Nash beat #18 White Oak 48-18, #7 Seventy-First topped #10 South Johnston 22-3, #3 Middle Creek beat #14 West Brunswick 52-20, and #6 Southern Alamance beat #11 J.H. Rose 55-36.

West:
#1 Watauga beat #16 St. Stephens 47-6. #8 Charlotte Catholic shut out #9 A.C. Reynolds 27-0. #4 Freedom beat #20 Central Cabarrus 40-6, and #5 Sun Valley handled #12 Olympic 42-6. #2 Northern Guilford beat #15 Asheville 46-13, #10 Kings Mountain edged #7 T.C. Roberson 21-20, #3 Ashbrook beat #14 Statesville 22-14, and #11 Dudley upset #6 Asheboro 21-6.

7A

East:
#1 Cardinal Gibbons rolled past #24 Ashley 52-8. #8 Hillside blanked #9 Ashley 33-0, #4 Garner beat #14 New Hanover 37-24, and #5 Cape Fear routed #13 Wake Forest 47-7. #2 Cleveland handled #17 South Garner 55-3, #7 Southeast Raleigh topped #10 New Bern 62-28, #3 Clayton beat #18 South Garner 29-0, and #6 D.H. Conley beat #12 Sanderson 44-32.

West:
#1 Grimsley beat #17 West Cabarrus 42-7. #8 Jack Britt edged #9 Davie County 22-20. #4 Mooresville defeated #13 Butler 38-14, and #5 Reagan beat #12 A.L. Brown 42-7. #2 Weddington shut out #15 Marvin Ridge 63-0, #7 Lake Norman beat #10 East Forsyth 28-14, #3 Independence beat #14 Page 45-6, and #6 Richmond Senior held off #11 Porter Ridge 48-43.

8A

East:
#1 Hoggard dominated #9 Willow Spring 48-0. #5 Rolesville upset #4 Apex Friendship 14-7, #2 Millbrook blanked #7 Panther Creek 65-0, and #3 Jordan edged #6 Leesville Road 28-24.

West:
#1 Hough powered past #9 Palisades 63-7. #5 West Forsyth upset #4 Mallard Creek 16-10, #2 West Charlotte beat #7 Providence 41-0, and #3 Myers Park beat #11 Chambers 42-0.

Third Round Matchups

(All matchups listed in bracket order, using seeds)

1A

East:
#1 KIPP Pride vs #4 Wilson Prep
#2 Northside-Pinetown vs #3 Bear Grass Charter

West:
#1 Robbinsville vs #5 East Columbus
#2 South Davidson vs #3 Thomas Jefferson Classical

2A

East:
#1 Tarboro vs #8 Hobbton
#4 East Bladen vs #5 Manteo
#2 Warren County vs #10 East Carteret
#3 North Duplin vs #6 Holmes

West:
#1 Murphy vs #9 Community School of Davidson
#4 East Wilkes vs #5 Corvian Community
#2 Starmount vs #7 South Stanly
#11 Mitchell vs #14 Mountain Island Charter

3A

East:
#1 James Kenan vs #9 Ayden-Grifton
#13 Farmville Central vs #5 Martin County
#2 Pender vs #7 Northeastern
#6 Pasquotank County vs #14 Kinston

West:
#1 Mountain Heritage vs #8 Lincolnton
#4 North Stanly vs #12 West Davidson
#2 Mount Airy vs #10 Shelby
#3 Eastern Randolph vs #6 Walkertown

4A

East:
#1 Reidsville vs #9 Eastern Wayne
#4 Central Davidson vs #12 North Pitt
#2 West Craven vs #7 T.W. Andrews
#3 East Duplin vs #11 SouthWest Edgecombe

West:
#1 Brevard vs #8 Burns
#4 Pisgah vs #5 Mount Pleasant
#2 Hibriten vs #7 Stuart Cramer
#3 Newton-Conover vs #6 Maiden

5A

East:
#1 Hunt vs #8 Southern Nash
#4 Croatan vs #12 Havelock
#2 Northeast Guilford vs #7 Rocky Mount
#3 Northside-Jacksonville vs #6 St. Pauls

West:
#1 South Point vs #8 Monroe
#4 Crest vs #5 East Lincoln
#2 Jay M. Robinson vs #10 Oak Grove
#3 Hickory vs #6 Franklin

6A

East:
#1 Jacksonville vs #8 Scotland
#4 Union Pines vs #5 Williams
#2 Northern Nash vs #7 Seventy-First
#3 Middle Creek vs #6 Southern Alamance

West:
#1 Watauga vs #8 Charlotte Catholic
#4 Freedom vs #5 Sun Valley
#2 Northern Guilford vs #10 Kings Mountain
#3 Ashbrook vs #11 Dudley

7A

East:
#1 Cardinal Gibbons vs #8 Hillside
#4 Garner vs #5 Cape Fear
#2 Cleveland vs #7 Southeast Raleigh
#3 Clayton vs #6 D.H. Conley

West:
#1 Grimsley vs #8 Jack Britt
#4 Mooresville vs #5 Reagan
#2 Weddington vs #7 Lake Norman
#3 Independence vs #6 Richmond Senior

8A

East:
#1 Hoggard vs #5 Rolesville
#2 Millbrook vs #3 Jordan

West:
#1 Hough vs #5 West Forsyth
#2 West Charlotte vs #3 Myers Park

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.

If you've heard coaches and athletic directors talking about RPI this season, you're not alone in wondering what it means. The Ratings Percentage Index is the formula that determines which North Carolina high school football teams make the playoffs and how they're seeded, and understanding it can change how you view every game on the schedule.

The Formula Behind the Rankings

The NCHSAA uses MaxPreps' RPI calculation to rank every team in the state. The formula weighs three factors:

RPI = (0.4 × WP) + (0.4 × OWP) + (0.2 × OOWP)

Breaking that down in plain English: 40% of your RPI comes from your own winning percentage, 40% comes from your opponents' winning percentage, and 20% comes from your opponents' opponents' winning percentage.

Why Winning Percentage Is Only Part of the Story

Here's what makes RPI different from simply looking at win-loss records: strength of schedule matters tremendously. In fact, it accounts for 80% of the formula.

A team that goes 8-2 against tough competition could have a higher RPI than a team that goes 9-1 against weaker opponents. That's because when you play better teams, their winning percentages boost your OWP even if you lose to them.

This creates an interesting dynamic for coaches building their schedules. A close loss to a playoff-caliber opponent might hurt your RPI less than you'd think, while a win against a winless team provides minimal benefit.

Point Differential Doesn't Count

One of the most important things to understand about RPI: margin of victory is irrelevant. Whether you win by one point or run up the score to 50, the formula treats it exactly the same.

This removes any incentive for teams to pile on points and keeps the focus on simply winning games, regardless of the margin.

The Precision of the System

MaxPreps displays RPI values to four decimal places, which means you might see rankings like 0.6247 or 0.5891. If two teams are tied at four decimal places, the system extends to more decimal places until it breaks the tie.

This precision ensures that every team has a unique ranking position, eliminating the need for tiebreaker procedures.

Out-of-State Games: Navigate Carefully

Teams that schedule out-of-state opponents need to understand how those games affect their RPI.

Border States Matter Most: Games against opponents from Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee count fully in the RPI calculation—but only if the opponent has a verified MaxPreps account with their complete schedule entered. Schools must take responsibility for ensuring their out-of-state opponents' data is accurate on MaxPreps.

Non-Border States Have Limitations: If you play a team from a state that doesn't border North Carolina, the calculation changes. Your opponent's actual winning percentage counts, but each of their opponents is automatically assigned a .500 record in the formula. This dramatically reduces the RPI value of these games.

For example, if you beat a 10-0 team from Florida, you'd get credit for defeating a 1.000 team, but in calculating your OWP and OOWP, all of that Florida team's opponents would be treated as .500 teams, even if they actually went undefeated or winless.

What This Means for Fans

When you're watching games this season, RPI adds another layer to consider. That early-season loss to a strong opponent? It might not be as damaging as it seems if that opponent keeps winning. The running clock blowout against an overmatched team? It helps your record but does little for your RPI.

The system rewards teams that challenge themselves and play competitive schedules. As you track your favorite team's playoff chances, look beyond just wins and losses - pay attention to how their opponents are performing throughout the season.

Understanding RPI transforms how you follow high school football in North Carolina. It's not just about your team's record anymore; it's about the entire web of competition across the state and how every game contributes to the mathematical calculation that will determine who plays in November.

Last updated: FINAL RPI Ratings

North Carolina high school football underwent a dramatic transformation this season, expanding from four classifications to eight. With this change comes a new playoff structure that coaches, players, and fans need to understand. Here's your comprehensive guide to how teams will qualify and be seeded for the 2025 postseason.

How Teams Qualify: Understanding RPI

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) uses a Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) formula, calculated through MaxPreps, to determine which teams make the playoffs and where they're seeded. This computer-based system removes subjectivity and focuses purely on wins and strength of schedule.

The formula breaks down as follows:

RPI = (0.4 × WP) + (0.4 × OWP) + (0.2 × OOWP)

- WP (Winning Percentage): Your team's win-loss record accounts for 40% of the rating

- OWP (Opponents' Winning Percentage): The combined record of teams you've played makes up another 40%

- OOWP (Opponents' Opponents' Winning Percentage): The records of the teams your opponents played contributes the final 20%

One crucial note: point differential doesn't matter. Whether you win by 1 or 50 points, it counts the same in the RPI calculation.

Breaking Ties

MaxPreps displays RPI values to four decimal places. If two teams are tied at that level, the system will extend to additional decimal places until the tie is broken. This ensures every team has a precise ranking.

Playing Out-of-State Opponents

North Carolina teams frequently schedule opponents from neighboring states, and these games can count toward your RPI—but there are important distinctions.

Border State Opponents (Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee): These games count fully in the RPI formula, provided the opponent has a verified MaxPreps account with their schedule properly entered. Schools are responsible for ensuring their out-of-state opponents' data is correctly listed on MaxPreps.

Non-Border State Opponents: Games against teams from states that don't border North Carolina are calculated differently. The opponent's actual winning percentage counts in the formula, but each of their opponents is assigned a .500 winning percentage regardless of their actual record. This significantly reduces the potential RPI benefit from these contests.

The New Playoff Brackets

The expansion to eight classifications brings different bracket sizes depending on which class your team competes in.

Classifications 2A-7A: These will feature 48 teams placed on a 64-team bracket. The top 16 teams receive first-round byes, with additional byes awarded when necessary to balance the bracket. In 1A, brackets may be reduced to 32 teams when needed, with byes adjusted accordingly.

Classifications 1A and 8A: The state's smallese and largest schools will have 24 teams on a 32-team bracket, with the top eight teams earning first-round byes. Additional byes will be awarded as necessary.

What This Means for Teams

The new system rewards teams that schedule challenging opponents. Since 80% of the RPI formula is based on strength of schedule (your opponents' records and their opponents' records), a loss to a strong team may hurt your ranking less than expected, while wins against quality opposition provide significant boosts.

Teams must also be proactive about their MaxPreps data, especially when playing out-of-state opponents. A game that could help your RPI won't count properly if the opponent's information isn't verified in the system.

As North Carolina enters this new era of eight classifications, understanding the RPI system will be crucial for teams planning their schedules and tracking their playoff positioning throughout the season. The formula may seem complex, but it ultimately rewards teams that win games and challenge themselves against quality competition.

The fourth round of the North Carolina high school football playoffs was defined by shocking upsets and dominant performances that will be remembered for years to come. Tarboro set the tone with a thunderous 50-0 shutout that left no doubt about their championship aspirations, while Jacksonville delivered the most stunning blow of the round, dismantling top-seeded Havelock 56-28 in a game that rewrote the postseason narrative. Brevard added to the night's spectacular highlights with an overwhelming 57-14 victory, and in perhaps the most surprising result, fifth-seeded Corvian dethroned previously unbeaten Mount Airy, proving that in the playoffs, anything can happen.

1A East Semifinals:

(1) Tarboro def. (4) Pender, 50-0

(3) Wilson Prep def. (10) Lakewood, 36-17

1A West Semifinals:

(2) Mountain Heritage def. (3) Murphy, 26-8

(5) Corvian def. (1) Mount Airy, 14-7

2A East Semifinals:

(1) Northeastern def. (12) James Kenan, 46-28

(2) Whiteville def. (19) Kinston, 48-21

2A West Semifinals:

(9) Brevard def. (13) Forest Hills, 57-14

(3) Monroe def. (2) Shelby, 41-23

3A East Semifinals:

(12) Jacksonville def. (1) Havelock, 56-28

(2) Seventy-First def. (11) Rose, 48-7

3A West Semifinals:

(8) West Charlotte def. (5) Dudley, 39-13

(3) Hickory def. (10) North Lincoln, 49-46

4A East Semifinals:

(5) Rolesville def. (1) Cleveland, 49-6

(2) Cardinal Gibbons def. (3) Hoggard, 38-0

4A West Semifinals:

(1) Grimsley def. (5) Hough, 35-28

(2) Weddington def. (3) East Forsyth, 37-21

Next Week's Regional Championship Matchups:

1A East: (1) Tarboro vs. (3) Wilson Prep
1A West: (2) Mountain Heritage vs. (5) Corvian
2A East: (1) Northeastern vs. (2) Whiteville
2A West: (3) Monroe vs. (9) Brevard
3A East: (2) Seventy-First vs. (12) Jacksonville
3A West: (3) Hickory vs. (8) West Charlotte
4A East: (2) Cardinal Gibbons vs. (5) Rolesville
4A West: (1) Grimsley vs. (2) Weddington

HICKORY – The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears' remarkable season came to a crushing halt on Saturday, as Virginia Union's relentless offense dismantled their NCAA Division II playoff aspirations with a resounding 44-12 victory at Moretz Stadium.

What began as a promising contest quickly devolved into a one-sided affair, with the Panthers demonstrating why they are a formidable playoff contender. Virginia Union's ground game overwhelmed the Bears' defense, accumulating a staggering 345 rushing yards compared to Lenoir-Rhyne's modest 54.

"My heart hurts for our guys, especially our seniors," Head Coach Doug Socha said in the aftermath. "But I'm an optimistic guy. The sun will come up tomorrow, and we'll reset and evaluate every facet of this program."

A Glimmer of Hope, Quickly Extinguished

The game's opening moments suggested a potentially competitive matchup. After Virginia Union's Curtis Allen scored a rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead, the Bears responded with quarterback Jalen Ferguson connecting with Adonis McDaniel for a spectacular 47-yard scoring play.

However, a blocked extra point foreshadowed the Bears' struggles. Virginia Union quickly capitalized, scoring two consecutive touchdowns to build a commanding 20-6 halftime lead.

Offensive Challenges

Ferguson, who had been a beacon of hope all season, fought valiantly but struggled against the Panthers' defense. He completed 19 of 41 passes for 252 yards, with two touchdowns offset by two critical interceptions.

McDaniel provided a silver lining, finishing with eight receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. His performance helped him cross the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming just the sixth Bear in program history to achieve this milestone.

Defensive Bright Spots

Despite the lopsided score, several Lenoir-Rhyne defenders showed resilience. Jaelin Willis and Tre'von Cooper each recorded 13 tackles, while six different Bears logged tackles for loss, demonstrating the team's defensive depth and potential.

A Season of Achievement

While the playoff loss stings, the Bears' 10-3 record represents a significant achievement. Socha joined an elite group of Lenoir-Rhyne coaches by winning at least 10 games in his inaugural season, a testament to the program's promising trajectory.

Notably, quarterback Jalen Ferguson concluded the year with a school-record 3,276 passing yards, and veteran John Godwin completed his career having played in a record 49 games.

Looking Forward

"Winning 10 games isn't easy," Socha reflected. "There were so many people around this program that helped us do it. I'm proud of our guys and am excited for what we can accomplish next year."

The state's high school football playoffs delivered drama and excitement this week, with some teams proving why they earned their spots while others shocked fans with unexpected wins. In a jaw-dropping performance, West Charlotte stunned top-seeded Erwin with a crushing 58-0 victory. James Kenan pulled off a heart-stopping win against Wallace-Rose Hill, squeaking by with a razor-thin 14-13 score that kept their championship hopes alive. Some matchups were more one-sided, like Tarboro's overwhelming 71-0 demolition of Warren County. Forest Hills turned heads by beating Salisbury 38-31, while Corvian took down Eastern Randolph 27-14. Each game wrote another chapter in these young athletes' seasons, with some dreams continuing and others coming to an end. The playoffs showed once again that anything can happen on the football field. Seeding means little when passion and determination take the field, and this week's games proved that point in dramatic fashion.

NCHSAA Football Playoff Fourth Round Matchups

LIVINGSTON, AL – Powered by quarterback Jalen Ferguson's 411-yard passing performance and three crucial field goals from Jake Brown, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears went on the road to upset the third-seeded West Alabama Tigers 37-34 on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears (10-2) overcame a potent West Alabama rushing attack and multiple deficits to advance in the Super Region II playoffs, with Brown's 25-yard field goal with 4:46 remaining proving to be the difference maker.

Lenoir-Rhyne's aerial assault was spearheaded by wide receiver Adonis McDaniel, who hauled in seven catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a momentum-shifting 78-yard scoring strike in the third quarter that tied the game at 34. Songa Yates added five receptions for 107 yards as the Bears' passing game helped overcome a ground attack that was limited to just 49 yards on 27 carries.

West Alabama (9-2) dominated the rushing battle, accumulating 229 yards on the ground led by quarterback Spencer Arceneaux's 74 yards and running back Bry Webb's 70 yards. The Tigers appeared to take control early in the third quarter when Arceneaux broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to put West Alabama ahead 34-24.

However, the Bears' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter, forcing two critical missed field goals by Tigers' kicker Eric Guyton from 28 and 44 yards that could have changed the outcome. Lenoir-Rhyne's defensive effort was anchored by linebacker Jon Willis, who recorded 10 tackles including one for loss.

The first half featured a back-and-forth scoring battle that saw five lead changes. After West Alabama opened the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Arceneaux to Tre Walker, Ferguson responded with a 4-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7. The Tigers built their largest lead at 27-14 in the second quarter, but the Bears closed the half strong with a touchdown pass to Marcus Simmons and a 32-yard field goal by Brown to pull within 27-24.

Ferguson, who completed 22 of 40 passes without an interception, consistently found success against a Tigers defense that had been allowing just 2.4 yards per rush attempt coming into the contest. The Bears' offensive line provided excellent protection, as Ferguson wasn't sacked despite West Alabama's previously impressive pass rush that had recorded 32 sacks during the regular season.

The victory marked Lenoir-Rhyne's first-ever win against West Alabama in three meetings between the programs, avenging a 2018 loss in their last matchup. The Bears' defense forced three turnovers, including a crucial interception by Dareke Savage with 1:36 remaining that helped seal the victory.

Special teams played a decisive role, with Brown converting all three of his field goal attempts while Guyton missed both of his tries for the Tigers. The Bears' coverage units also contained West Alabama's dangerous return game, limiting the Tigers to an average of 27 yards on kickoff returns.

The win continues Lenoir-Rhyne's recent postseason success, following last year's run to the national semifinals. The Bears' defense showed resilience in the second half, holding West Alabama scoreless in the fourth quarter despite the Tigers averaging 6.7 yards per play for the game.

The Bears' victory sets up their next playoff matchup in the Super Region II semifinals against Virginia Union.