High school football season in North Carolina reaches its climax this weekend, with state champions being crowned in Chapel Hill and Raleigh.
Before the final week of action gets underway, prep writer Joe Hughes offers what he is looking forward to this weekend, in addition to who he believes walks away with state titles.
Grimsley-Rolesville. This is a rematch from their Week 2 contest, won by Grimsley 35-20. Both have taken care of business since, Grimsley and Rolesville on 15- and 13-game winning streaks, respectively. In addition, both rosters are brimming with talent likely to play on Saturdays in the near future. Grimsley is seeking its first state title since the spring 2021 season, while Rolesville hopes for the program’s first.
West Charlotte-Seventy-First. Seventy-First has long been anticipating this weekend, hoping for redemption since a narrow loss to Hickory in the 2023 NCHSAA 3A state final. As for West Charlotte, it seeks to cap a daunting stretch in which it went on the road to defeat the 3A West bracket’s top-seed Erwin, perennial powerhouse Dudley and reigning 3A champion Hickory with a title of its own.
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Grimsley. Blessed with a loaded roster featuring prized prospects in senior defensive lineman Bryce Davis as well as quarterback and 2026’s top recruit Faizon Brandon, the Whirlies have won by an average margin of 35.8 points per game. Grimsley’s recent stretch backs up its claim, surviving a gauntlet including perennial powerhouses Charlotte Catholic, Hough and reigning NCHSAA 4A champion Weddington on its way to Friday’s state final.
Northeastern. The Eagles have gone about their business without much fanfare, averaging 49 points per game on its way to a 15-0 record. Quarterback Trevaris Jones gives his team a chance, completing 75% of his passes for 3,745 yards and 42 touchdowns. His favorite receiver is Tyell Sanders, who has 55 receptions for 1,049 yards and 18 TDs this fall.
Class 4A: Grimsley (15-0) vs. Rolesville (14-1) (Friday, 7 p.m. at Kenan Stadium, University of North Carolina); though a matchup featuring two of North Carolina’s top quarterbacks in Grimsley’s Faizon Brandon and Braden Atkinson of Rolesville, this one may come down to which rushing attack can gain traction. The Whirlies’ Mitchell Summers could be the X-factor, hoping to cap his third straight season running for 2,000+ yards with an elusive state championship. | Pick: Grimsley 34, Rolesville 27
Class 3A: West Charlotte (12-2) vs. Seventy-First (15-0) (Saturday, 11 a.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium, NC State); Seventy-First has barely been challenged this fall, defeating opponents by an average margin of 38.1 points per game. West Charlotte is the more battle-tested of the two, navigating its way through a tough 3A West bracket and a rugged Queen City 3A/4A Conference including Hough and Mallard Creek. Such experience in tight games may come in handy. | Pick: West Charlotte 35, Seventy-First 31
Class 2A: Monroe (14-0) vs. Northeastern (15-0) (Saturday, 6:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium, University of North Carolina); Northeastern has scored 40 points or more in 13 of its 15 games ahead of this weekend’s 2A title tilt. It faces a Monroe defense which prides itself on shutting down opposing quarterbacks, limiting 11 of its 14 opponents to less than 20 points. Northeastern has a task in shutting down Kaegan Chambers, the Monroe quarterback rushing for 559 yards and seven touchdowns this postseason. | Pick: Monroe 41, Northeastern 24
Class 1A: Corvian Community (15-0) vs. Tarboro (13-1) (Saturday, 3 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium, NC State); Tarboro is making its eighth consecutive state title appearance, while Corvian Community is debuting on the grand stage. Corvian’s ability to defend against the Tarboro-T could very well decide the game, the Vikings averaging just sky of 300 rushing yards per game. Corvian has been dominant, however, twice limited to less than 20 points in a game this fall. | Pick: Tarboro 27, Corvian 24
