Round 1 of the NCHSAA, NCISAA football playoffs is done. Get scores, schedules, roundup
The NC High School Athletic Association debuted a new playoff format Friday, with eight classifications instead of four.
A lot of teams received byes in the first round — only three teams ranked in The Observer’s Sweet 16 put on uniforms — and many, many teams that did play won by big margins.
It was Blowout Friday all over the state.
In the Charlotte-area, Marvin Ridge beat Chapel Hill 53-13. Bandys beat South Rowan 71-14. Up towards Raleigh, Rolesville beat Green Hope 49-0, and Kinston beat North Moore 53-7.
It was everywhere you looked.
Havelock 47, Richlands 0; Southeast Alamance 42, Orange 0; Southwest Edgecombe 50, Southwest Onslow 0.
There were some competitive games, but they seemed to be greatly outnumbered by games that hit the 35-point threshold for the running clock.
Were there too many teams in the playoffs? You tell us.
Quick links
The Talking Preps Round 1 playoff postgame show
Butler holds off Hopewell, moves on
Palisades stops huge South Meck rally
How The Charlotte Observer’s Sweet 16 fared
Rk., School, Rec., Friday
1. Providence Day (10-0), d. North Raleigh Christian 49-0
2. Hough (10-0), idle
3. West Charlotte (8-2), idle
4. Weddington (9-1), idle
5. Mooresville (8-2), idle
6. Independence (8-2), idle
7. Ashbrook (10-0), idle
8. Myers Park (8-2), idle
9. East Lincoln (9-1), idle
10. JM Robinson (9-1), idle
11. Lake Norman (7-3), idle
12. Mallard Creek (7-3), idle
13. Providence (7-3), d. Ardrey Kell 14-7
14. South Point (8-2), idle
15. Corvian Community (8-1), idle
16. Palisades (7-3), d. South Mecklenburg 35-32
In the spotlight: Cancer battle spurs Ardrey Kell family
A former Charlotte football star is battling cancer while putting up eye-popping numbers in college.
His brother is trying to lead Ardrey Kell to a playoff win tonight, inspired by his brother’s journey.
Providence edges Ardrey Kell
Providence held off a last-minute Ardrey Kell threat Friday night and posted a 14-7 victory in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.
It was the second straight Friday night that the Panthers downed the Knights, as Providence posted a 28-14 triumph a week ago.
This time around, Ardrey Kell (6-5) held the advantage most of the way, in a tough defensive struggle.
The Knights drove for a touchdown on their first possession, ending with an 11-yard pass from Jared Curtis to Khylieb Rodriguez.
That 7-0 lead remained intact until the final nine minutes of the game.
Defenses dominated for the first three quarters.
Early in the third quarter, Ardrey Kell’s Khalil Leak intercepted a pass by Providence quarterback Luke Meador. But on the next series, the Panthers’ Bryce Taylor picked off a Curtis pass – one play after Providence’s Adlai Martin recorded a sack.
It took an error by Ardrey Kell for Providence to get on the scoreboard.
A bad snap on a punt gave the Panthers (8-3) the ball at the Ardrey Kell 2. On third down, Kaleb Vines ran for a touchdown.
Vines had a big play to start the winning drive, too. He fumbled an Ardrey Kell punt, then picked up the ball at the Knights’ 47 and returned the kick to the 14. Meador connected with tight end Alex Haywood with 1:39 left for the winning touchdown.
But Ardrey Kell wasn’t finished.
The Knights drove from their 20 to the Providence 19 with four seconds left.
On the final play, Curtis connected with Jeremiah Jones, but he was tackled at the 5 as the clock ran out.
Chambers wins thriller
Chambers rallied from a 31-13 deficit in the third quarter and stunned host Pinecrest 32-31 in a first-round 8A game.
Pinecrest (8-3) dominated the early going, but Chambers (5-6) rallied with three scores in the final eight minutes.
The Cougars closed the game to 31-19 on a 14-yard pass from Zyon Hailey to Maki Grant with 7:54 remaining.
Then Hailey connected with James Powell on a 20-yard pass with 1:37 left. Chambers missed the conversion and trailed 31-25.
The Cougars held Pinecrest on downs and got the ball back.
Hailey scored on a 2-yard run with 7.2 seconds left, and Justyce Patterson added the game-winning kick.
NCISAA PLAYOFFS
Cannon School 40, Charlotte Latin 21: The Cougars (7-4) avenged a mid-October loss to the Hawks (7-4) by building a big early lead in this Division 1 quarterfinal. Cannon School led 26-7 at the half and 40-7 after three quarters.
After starting the season 7-0, Charlotte Latin dropped its final four games.
Charlotte Christian 36, Charlotte Country Day 0: Elliott Newcomb threw two touchdown passes, Jamal Rule ran for a pair of scores, and Vincent Rosen scored on a run and a pass, as the Knights (6-5) rolled into the Division 1 semifinals.
Charlotte Christian will play at Rabun School in a semifinal next Friday.
Rule scored on runs of 10 and 6 yards in the first half, as Charlotte Christian built a 20-0 halftime lead.
Charlotte Country Day finished 6-4.
Providence Day 45, North Raleigh Christian 0: The Chargers (11-0), ranked No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 rankings, steamrolled to victory in a Division 1 quarterfinal.
Providence Day did its damage with the passing game Friday night. Zaid Lott completed 29 of 36 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns.
Brendan Ravin caught nine passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and he also was a defensive standout, with two interceptions.
Ethan Dempsey caught eight passes for 98 yards.
The Chargers will host Cannon School in a semifinal next Friday.
Harrells Christian 41, Hickory Grove Christian 21: Harrells Christian (9-2) built a 27-0 lead in the second quarter and trounced the Lions (6-4). It was the second loss this season for Hickory Grove against Harrells Christian.
CLASS 7A
A.L. Brown 34, South Iredell 27: The host Wonders (8-3) built a 28-7 lead late in the third quarter, before the Vikings (3-8) battled back.
Landon McClain scored on an 8-yard run with 11 minutes left, getting South Iredell within 28-20. Lemar Grier ran 12 yards for an A.L. Brown touchdown four minutes later, but McClain’s 6-yard scoring run with six minutes remaining cut the Wonders’ lead to 34-27.
South Iredell got the ball back with two minutes left and drove to the A.L. Brown 35. But the Wonders’ Hezzi Allison and Demetrius Adams recorded sacks, pushing the Vikings back.
Butler 42, Hopewell 28: The teams were tied 21-all after three quarters, but Butler (5-6) scored on a pair of runs and built a 35-21 lead with nine minutes left. Hopewell (4-7) closed the gap to 35-28 with four minutes remaining, but the Bulldogs returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a clinching touchdown.
Butler will travel to Mooresville next Friday.
Marvin Ridge 52, Chapel Hill 13: The Mavericks (6-5) raced to a 38-7 halftime lead and coasted. They will face local rival Weddington in the second round next week.
Levi Kerr threw two touchdown passes in the first half. Chapel Hill (6-5) attempted an onside kick to start the second half, but Marvin Ridge returned the kick for a touchdown.
Porter Ridge 26, Cuthbertson 16: Ryan Ladimir’s second field goal of the game, from 31 yards, put Porter Ridge (7-4) ahead to stay, 19-16, with 10:06 left in the game. Raishawn Elmore got the clinching touchdown on a 1-yard run with 2:19 left.
Porter Ridge, which will travel to Richmond Senior next Friday, also scored on an Arthur Scott run and a 32-yard pass from Keenan Sullivan to Elmore.
Cuthbertson (3-8) got three field goals from Jason Hea.
West Cabarrus 28, R.J. Reynolds 27: Johnta Harrison led the Wolverines (6-5) to their first playoff victory in school history.
Harrison ran six yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, putting West Cabarrus ahead 22-21. Reynolds regained the lead on Antonio Samuels’ 15-yard run with three minutes left in the game.
But Harrison threw a 72-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left for the winning score.
West Cabarrus will travel to unbeaten and defending state champion Grimsley next Friday.
CLASS 6A
Olympic 35, Ragsdale 0: Chance Cato threw two touchdown passes, and Bryce Nixon scored on a 20-yard run, as the Trojans (9-2) won their ninth consecutive game.
Olympic’s victory set up a second-round contest next Friday at Sun Valley.
Statesville 28, Alexander Central 3: Quarterback Koda Harrington threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns and ran 70 yards for two more scores, as the Greyhounds (8-3) rolled to victory. They will travel to unbeaten Ashbrook next Friday.
Jerome Newman caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Harrington.
CLASS 5A
Clyde Erwin 49, Hunter Huss 21: Erwin (4-7) raced to a 35-0 lead late in the second quarter and scored a mild upset over the Huskies (5-6). The visitors scored on an interception and two touchdown passes covering more than 50 yards.
Huss closed to 35-14 in the third quarter, but Erwin pulled away.
Concord 29, Forestview 28: The Spiders (7-4) recovered an onside kick attempt by Forestview (3-8) in the closing two minutes and held on for a come-from-behind victory.
The Jaguars led 22-8 early in the third quarter, but Concord battle back. A.J. Davis scored on a 19-yard run with 8:40 left, giving Concord a 29-22 lead.
Forestview scored with 2:21 remaining, but Concord stopped the Jaguars’ two-point conversion try – and an ensuing onside kick attempt.
Forest Hills 40, Smoky Mountain 28: Cam Winnegan returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown with one minute left, sealing victory for the Yellow Jackets (9-2).
Forest Hills had built a 34-20 lead early in the fourth quarter on Kai Phinazee;s 4-yard touchdown run, but Smoky Mountain (3-8) came back with a touchdown.
Noah Furr threw two touchdown passes, and Kylan Polk scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 72-yard run.
Forest Hills will travel to the mountains next Friday for a second-round game at Franklin.
CLASS 4A
Fred T. Foard 21, Lake Norman Charter 19: Dylan Wignot completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Liam McDonald early in the fourth quarter, but Lake Norman Charter was stopped on the potential game-tying two-point conversion.
The Knights (5-6) recovered a Foard (5-6) fumble at the Tigers’ 25 with three minutes left. But Foard defenders sacked Wignot on two straight plays and stopped the Knights.
CLASS 3A
Union Academy 24, C.D. Owen 14: The Cardinals (5-6) scored on a pair of touchdown runs early in the fourth quarter, pulling away from the hosts.
Union Academy will travel to Eastern Randolph next Friday.
CLASS 1A
Rosman 38, Bonnie Cone Leadership 28: The Eagles (0-11) saved their best performance of the season for their finale, as they lost a tightly played battle.
Jayce Newton threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score. Kendrick Williams got the other Bonnie Cone touchdown.
The Eagles trailed 26-6 but battled back, scoring on a 1-yard run by Newton and a 15-yard pass from Newton to Musa Bolton. Williams’ two-point conversion run after the Bolton touchdown brought Bonnie Cone to within 26-22 with 10 minutes left.
Rosman went back in front 32-22, but Williams scored on a 5-yard run with five minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to 32-28.
Rosman scored a clinching touchdown with three minutes to play.
Talking Preps postgame
THE PICKS
THE SCORES
(all kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
NCHSAA playoffs
CLASS 8A
Friday’s first round
West
Chambers 32, Pinecrest 31
Palisades 35, South Mecklenburg 32
Providence 14, Ardrey Kell 7
West Forsyth 37, Northwest Guilford 7
East
Leesville Road 49, Broughton 12
Panther Creek 27, Enloe 14
Rolesville 49, Green Hope 0
Willow Spring 31, Laney 12
Next Friday’s second round
West
Chambers (5-6) at Myers Park (8-2)
Palisades (8-3) at Hough (10-0)
Providence (8-3) at West Charlotte (8-2)
West Forsyth (9-2) at Mallard Creek (7-3)
East
Leesville Road (8-3) at Jordan (10-0)
Panther Creek (7-4) at Millbrook (10-0)
Rolesville (8-3) at Apex Friendship (9-1)
Willow Spring (6-5) at Hoggard (10-0)
CLASS 7A
Friday’s first round
West
A.L. Brown 34, South Iredell 27
Butler 42, Hopewell 28
Davie County 19, West Mecklenburg 0
East Forsyth 63, Purnell Swett 0
Marvin Ridge 52, Chapel Hill 13
Page 68, McDowell 0
Porter Ridge 26, Cuthbertson 16
West Cabarrus 28, R.J. Reynolds 27
East
Ashley 14, Cary 13
Fuquay-Varina 29, Holly Springs 7
New Bern 43, Overhills 0
New Hanover 28, Heritage 14
South Garner 62, South Central 14
Southern Durham 61, Lumberton 7
Wake Forest 59, North Brunswick 28
Next Friday’s second round
West
A.L. Brown (8-3) at Reagan (8-2)
Butler (5-6) at Mooresville (8-2)
Davie County (7-4) at Jack Britt (6-4)
East Forsyth (7-4) at Lake Norman (7-3)
Marvin Ridge (6-5) at Weddington (9-1)
Page (8-3) at Independence (8-2)
Porter Ridge (7-4) at Richmond Senior (8-2)
West Cabarrus (6-5) at Grimsley (:10-0)
East
Ashley (4-7) at Hillside (8-2)
Fuquay-Varina (5-6) at Cardinal Gibbons (9-1)
New Bern (6-5) at Southeast Raleigh (7-3)
New Hanover (6-5) at Clayton (8-2)
Sanderson (7-4) at Cape Fear (9-1)
South Garner (5-6) at Cleveland (9-1)
Southern Durham (7-4) at D.H. Conley (7-3)
Wake Forest (7-4) at Garner (7-3)
CLASS 6A
Friday’s first round
West
A.C. Reynolds 56, South Caldwell 0
Asheville 42, Western Guilford 7
Central Cabarrus 38, Southeast Guilford 10
Dudley 35, Glenn 14
Kings Mountain 21, Ben Smith 14
Olympic 35, Ragsdale 0
St. Stephens 24, Mount Tabor 23
Statesville 28, Alexander Central 3
East
E.E. Smith (3-7) at Terry Sanford (7-3)
Franklinton 28, Gray’s Creek 6
Harnett Central 40, South View 37
J.H. Rose 47, Triton 10
Lee County 21, Westover 20
Vance County 24, South Johnston 7
West Brunswick 35, West Johnston 6
White Oak 32, Eastern Guilford 22
Next Friday’s second round
West
A.C. Reynolds (7-4) at Charlotte Catholic (6-4)
Asheville (6-5) at Northern Guilford (9-1)
Central Cabarrus (5-6) at Freedom (9-1)
Dudley (7-4) at Asheboro (7-3)
Kings Mountain (7-4) at T.C. Roberson (7-3)
Olympic (9-2) at Sun Valley (7-3)
St. Stephens (6-5) at Watauga (10-0)
Statesville (8-3) at Ashbrook (10-0)
East
Franklinton (8-3) at Williams (9-1)
Harnett Central (7-4) at Jacksonville (10-0)
J.H. Rose (6-5) at Southern Alamance (7-3)
Lee County (7-4) at Union Pines (9-1)
South Johnston (8-3) at Seventy-First (8-2)
Terry Sanford (8-3) at Scotland County (7-3)
West Brunswick (7-4) at Middle Creek (7-2)
White Oak (5-6) at Northern Nash (9-1)
CLASS 5A
Friday’s first round
West
Clyde Erwin 41, Hunter Huss 21
Concord 29, Forestview 28
Forest Hills 40, Smoky Mountain 28
Montgomery Central 30, Jesse Carson 7
North Davidson 46, North Henderson 8
Oak Grove 30, North Lincoln 8
West Henderson 42, East Rowan 7
West Rowan 41, Southern Guilford 23
East
Dixon 58, Rockingham County 50
Eastern Alamance 35, Fike 0
Havelock 47, Richlands 0
Person 68, J.F. Webb 56
Seaforth 29, South Brunswick 28
South Granville 20, Western Alamance 12
Southeast Alamance 47, Richlands 0
West Carteret 35, C.B. Aycock 21
Next Friday’s second round
West
Clyde Erwin (4-7) at South Point (8-2)
Concord (7-4) at Crest (8-2)
Forest Hills (9-2) at Franklin (8-2)
Montgomery Central (5-6) at Hickory (9-1)
North Davidson (7-4) at Jay M. Robinson (9-1)
Oak Grove (8-3) at Northwest Cabarrus (7-3)
West Rowan (7-4) at Monroe (6-3)
West Henderson (7-4) at East Lincoln (9-1)
East
Dixon (6-5) at Northeast Guilford (8-2)
Eastern Alamance (5-6) at Hunt (8-2)
Havelock (6-5) at Currituck County (8-2)
Person (5-6) at Jacksonville Northside (8-2)
Seaforth (6-5) at Croatan (9-1)
South Granville (5-6) at Rocky Mount (7-3)
Southeast Alamance (8-3) at Southern Nash (6-4)
West Carteret (7-4) at St. Pauls (9-1)
CLASS 4A
Friday’s first round
West
Bandys 71, South Rowan 14
Fred T. Foard 21, Lake Norman Charter 19
North Surry 40, Salisbury 26
R-S Central 48, Wilkes Central 6
Tuscola 13, East Burke 6
West Iredell 45, Ashe County 0
West Stanly 24, Lexington 22
West Stokes 39, Forbush 3
East
Carver 16, Morehead 14
Clinton 28, Ledford 20
Eastern Wayne 21, Anson County 14
North Johnston 42, Washington 35
North Pitt 44, Cummings 7
Red Springs 37, Jordan-Matthews 12
Roanoke Rapids 14, Nash Central 12
SouthWest Edgecombe 50, Southwest Onslow 0
Next Friday’s second round
West
Bandys (6-5) at Stuart Cramer (8-2)
Fred T. Foard (5-6) at Newton-Conover (8-2)
North Surry (7-4) at Maiden (6-4)
R-S Central (6-5) at Hibriten (9-1)
Tuscola (6-5) at Mount Pleasant (7-3)
West Iredell (6-5) at Pisgah (7-3)
West Stanly (2-9) at Burns (6-4)
West Stokes (5-6) at Brevard (10-0)
East
Carver (7-4) at Central Davidson (9-1)
Clinton (6-5) at T.W. Andrews (8-2)
Eastern Wayne (7-3) at Southwestern Randolph (7-3)
North Johnston (6-5) at East Duplin (8-2)
North Pitt (6-5) at Randleman (7-3)
Red Springs (5-6) at Reidsville (8-2)
Roanoke Rapids (3-8) at West Craven (9-1)
SouthWest Edgecombe (6-5) at Bunn (8-2)
CLASS 3A
Friday’s first round
West
East Surry 35, Polk County 15
Hendersonville 50, East Davidson 0
Shelby 70, McMichael 14
Thomasville 14, Chase 7
Union Academy 24, C.D. Owen 14
West Davidson 28, Madison 13
West Lincoln 42, North Wilkes 13
Wheatmore 21, West Wilkes 14
East
Ayden-Grifton 48, South Lenoir 20
Farmville Central 55, Heide Trask 28
Hertford County 26, Northwood 14
Kinston 53, North Moore 7
Princeton 54, Beddingfield 18
South Columbus 38, West Bladen 0
Wake Prep 37, Bartlett Yancey 0
Wallace-Rose Hill 37, Greene Central 36
Next Friday’s second round
West
Union Academy (5-6) at Eastern Randolph (8-2)
East Surry (5-6) at North Stanly (9-1)
Hendersonville (9-2) at Lincolnton (8-2)
Shelby (8-3) at East Rutherford (9-1)
Thomasville (6-5) at Mount Airy (8-2)
West Davidson (8-3) at Providence Grove (8-2)
West Lincoln (6-5) at Mountain Heritage (9-1)
Wheatmore (3-8) at Walkertown (8-1)
East
Ayden-Grifton (7-4) at Whiteville (7-3)
Farmville Central (6-5) at Louisburg (8-2)
Hertford County (6-5) at Pender County (9-1)
Kinston (7-4) at Midway (8-2)
Princeton (7-4) at Pasquotank County (7-3)
South Columbus (7-4) at Northeastern (7-3)
Wake Prep (7-3) at Martin County (7-3)
Wallace-Rose Hill (6-5) at James Kenan (9-1)
CLASS 2A
Friday’s first round
West
Albemarle 21, Cherokee 15
Cherryville 55, South Stokes 12
Hayesville 41, Highland Tech 0
Mitchell 51, Langtree Charter 13
Mountain Island Charter 40, Elkin 7
North Rowan 55, Avery County 10
East
Camden County 33, West Columbus 30
Northampton County 50, Lejeune 7
Rosewood 52, American Leadership/Johnston 26
Southside 52, Pamlico County 28
Union 28, Northwest Halifax 26
Next Friday’s second round
West
Albemarle (5-6) at Murphy (8-2)
Cherryville (6-5) at Starmount (8-2)
Christ the King (7-3) at South Stanly (8-2)
Community School of Davidson (6-4) at Swain County (6-4)
Hayesville (7-4) at East Wilkes (7-3)
Mitchell (7-4) at Bishop McGuinness (9-1)
Mountain Island Charter (6-5) at Alleghany (8-2)
North Rowan (7-4) at Corvian Community (8-1)
East
East Carteret (5-5) at Gates County (5-5)
Lakewood (6-4) at Hobbton (6-4)
Northampton County (4-7) at Manteo (6-3)
Perquimans (5-5) at Holmes (6-4)
Rosewood (3-8) at Warren County (8-2)
Southside (5-6) at North Duplin (9-1)
Union (3-8) at East Bladen (7-3)
West Columbus (4-7) at Tarboro (10-0)
CLASS 1A
Friday’s first round
West
Andrews 42, College Prep and Leadership 34
Rosman 38, Bonnie Cone Leadership 28
Winston-Salem Prep 30, Chatham Central 12
East
Hobgood Charter 44, Weldon 14
North Edgecombe 26, Washington County 12
Sallie B. Howard 49, Columbia 0
Next Friday’s second round
West
Andrews (2-9) at Robbinsville (7-3)
East Columbus (2-8) at North Stokes (4-6)
Rosman (3-8) at South Davidson (9-1)
Winston-Salem Prep (3-8) at Thomas Jefferson Academy (4-6)
East
Hobgood Charter (4-5) at Pinetown Northside (10-0)
North Edgecombe (2-9) at Bear Grass Charter (8-0)
Sallie B. Howard (5-6) at KIPP Pride (10-0)
Southeast Collegiate Prep (6-4) at Wilson Prep (5-5)
NCISAA
DIVISION 1
Friday’s quarterfinals
Cannon School 40, Charlotte Latin 21
Charlotte Christian 36, Charlotte Country Day 0
Providence Day 49, North Raleigh Christian 0
Rabun Gap 64, Christ School 7
Next Friday’s semifinals
Cannon School (7-4)at Providence Day (11-0)
Charlotte Christian (6-5) at Rabun Gap (6-4)
Division 2
Asheville School 28, Wayne Christian 7
Harrells Christian 41, Hickory Grove Christian 21
Trinity Christian 58, SouthLake Christian 20
(bye: High Point Christian)
Next Friday’s semifinals
Harrells Christian (9-2) at High Point Christian (10-0)
Trinity Christian (8-2) at Asheville School (6-2-1)
8-Man Football
Friday’s quarterfinals
Cary Christian 49, Wake Christian 8
Faith Christian 57, Lawrence Academy 8
John Paul II Catholic 54, St. David’s School 6
(bye: Arendell Parrott Academy)
Next Friday’s semifinals
Faith Christian (8-3) at Arendell Parrott (11-0)
John Paul II Catholic (9-2) at Cary Christian (10-1)
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
