Who’s won the most NCHSAA football titles? A look at this week’s championships games.

Charlotte Catholic football coach Mike Brodowicz has varying perspectives about the Cougars’ 56-49 seven-overtime win over Kings Mountain in the state semifinals this past Friday.

“It really hasn’t sunk in. I still think about that game,” Brodowicz said. “I watched it (Sunday) for the first time, and literally got excited watching it.”

Brodowicz remembers how Catholic needed a fourth down conversion at the end of the first overtime. The coach recalled, too, the sportsmanship the two teams displayed immediately after the game.

“It was probably one of the finest football games in this aspect. The way both communities embraced these young men. These kids after the game were like two heavyweight fighters that went toe-to-toe 15 rounds,” Brodowicz said.

“There was no animosity. They kind of hugged each other, and kind of laughed,” he continued. “They embraced and said, ‘You guys go ahead and win the state championship.’”

Catholic (11-3), holders of state championships in 2A, 3A and 4A classifications, will meet first-time state finalist Southern Nash in the 3A title game Saturday at NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.

Vance driving for five

For the second consecutive season, a team has won four state playoff road games to qualify for the final. Vance (13-2), in its second straight 4AA championship game, tallied a shutout at rival Butler on Nov. 15. Over the next three weeks, Vance (12-2) yielded seven points in wins at Mallard Creek, West Forsyth and Richmond.

The Cougars will seek its fifth road win Saturday against Leesville Road at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

In 2018, Scotland won four postseason road games before a 35-28 final loss to 4A champion East Forsyth.

Warriors get on “D”

Weddington (15-0) will meet Lee County in the 3AA state final game at Carter Finley. Weddington, led by second-year head coach Andy Capone, tallied three shutouts en route to its 2018 state championship. The Warriors are back in the title game with six shutouts.

Who’s won the most football titles?

Among N.C. high school football, Reidsville may claim the “title town” title. The Rams have won a NCHSAA best 17 football state titles. The team is going for its 18th championship on Saturday against Northeastern at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem.

Not far behind the Rams in state titles is Shelby (13-2). The Golden Lions will play for their 12th state championship in Saturday’s 2AA game against Salisbury at BB&T Field.

However, Cleveland County’s collective season is noteworthy, too. While Shelby is the county’s lone finalist, state semifinalists Kings Mountain (3A) and Burns (2AA) won 12 and 10 games, respectively. Crest (3A) won its state playoffs opener among 12 victories.

This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 5:00 AM.