Introducing the best high school football players in North Carolina: the Super Team
For the second time this year, the Charlotte Observer and News & Observer of Raleigh are introducing you to the best players in North Carolina: the Super Team.
The first Super Team was named after the spring football season this year, which occurred after the N.C. High School Athletic Association moved what would’ve been the 2020 fall season to the spring due to the pandemic.
Football returned in its normal fall slot and ended with four state champions: Cardinal Gibbons (4A), Dudley (3A), Shelby (2A) and Tarboro (1A).
The N.C. coach of the year came from one of those state champions.
Cardinal Gibbons’ Steven Wright is the Super Team coach of the year. His team won its first state championship, upsetting nationally ranked and two-time state champion Chambers at N.C. State earlier this month.
En route to the title, Gibbons defeated all three finalists for the state player of the year, Mr. Football and they did in consecutive weeks. Gibbons beat Cleveland and running back Omarion Hampton, Rolesville and quarterback Byrum Brown and then Chambers and running back Daylan Smothers.
Smothers and Hampton are the two most recent Mr. Football winners.
▪ Hampton, a UNC recruit, is the Super Team offensive player of the year. Named N.C. Gatorade player of the year and Mr. Football, Hampton ran for 1,948 yards and 39 touchdowns this season.
▪ The defensive player of the year is Chambers’ James Pearce, a dominant edge rusher who signed with Tennessee. Pearce had 14.5 sacks this season, helping lead the Cougars past nationally ranked Hough in the semifinals with a strip sack, fumble and defensive touchdown sequence that sealed a 35-21 come-from-behind win.
Meet the Super Team
Click here for Super Team offense
Click here for Super Team defense
