NCHSAA regional championship football: Watauga wins thriller; finals field set
The N.C. High School Athletic Association’s state football championship game field was completed Saturday night, as Watauga and Middle Creek won weather-delayed Class 6A regional finals.
Watauga won a game decided on the final play, edging Northern Guilford 43-42. Middle Creek subdued host Jacksonville 31-21.
Watauga is headed to the championship game for the first time in 47 years, since the Pioneers captured the 3A title in 1978. Middle Creek, a suburban Raleigh school which opened in 2002, will be playing in the finals for the first time.
Here’s a recap of three nights of regional championships:
SATURDAY
CLASS 6A
Watauga 43, Northern Guilford 42: Kobe Guardado, who had been perfect on his six extra-point attempts, missed a 36-yard field goal on the game’s final play, and host Watauga (14-0) hung on for the victory.
The host Pioneers had taken a 27-14 lead midway through the second quarter, but the Nighthawks battled back and took a 28-27 lead early in the third quarter.
Watauga scored on a 5-yard run by Matthew Leon and a two-point conversion pass from Cade Keller to Bowen Mayo, taking a 35-28 lead. Jaxson Kemp’s 3-yard touchdown and a Guardado conversion kick tied the score 35-35 with 5:23 left in the third quarter.
The Nighthawks (12-2) took a 42-35 lead with 3:37 left in the game on a 1-yard run by Amare Akers and a Guardado kick. But Watauga drove 80 yards in 1:50, scoring on a 9-yard pass from Keller to Leon. The Pioneers then added a two-point conversion on a Keller-to-Mayo pass. That came with 47 seconds left.
But Northern Guilford wasn’t finished. The Nighthawks drove to the Watauga 19 and then tried a go-ahead field goal on the final play.
Keller completed 21 of 30 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Northern Guilford’s Greyson Council had 160 yards in receptions.
Middle Creek 31, Jacksonville 21: Lex Sevilla passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, as the visiting Mustangs (11-2) played their way into the 6A championship.
Jacksonville had tied the game 14-14 early in the second quarter on Yondez Baker’s 99-yard kickoff return. Middle Creek took the lead on Ben Larue’s 26-yard field goal midway in the period.
The Mustangs went ahead 24-14 early in the third quarter on a Sevilla touchdown pass, set up by a recovered fumble at the Jacksonville 19. Early in the fourth quarter, Middle Creek made it 31-14, scoring on an 80-yard drive that ended with Sevilla’s 31-yard touchdown run.
Anthony Washington fired a 21-yard touchdown pass to SaRonn Thompson with nine minutes left, cutting the Middle Creek lead to 31-21. Jacksonville drove to the Middle Creek 25 with four minutes left but fumbled the ball away.
FRIDAY
CLASS 4A
Brevard 30, Maiden 13: The unbeaten Blue Devils (14-0) used their running game and speed to wear down visiting Maiden in the 4A West regional final. Brevard, which last played for a football state title in 1982, will face perennial title contender Reidsville (12-2) for the 4A championship next weekend.
Brevard’s Tristan Thompson-Wynn had a spectacular first half, scoring on a touchdown pass and on a strip sack. He also had an interception before intermission.
Maiden stopped Brevard on downs at the Maiden 5 midway in the first quarter, but Brevard then drove 59 yards for a touchdown, scoring on a 35-yard pass from Christian Conley to Thompson-Wynn. Maiden tied the score 7-7 early in the second quarter on a 22-yard pass from Grant Lawing to Hampton Reed.
But midway through the second quarter, with Maiden near midfield, Thompson-Wynn sacked Lawing, forced a fumble, then picked up the ball and ran 54 yards for the go-ahead score.
Braylon Thompson ran for a pair of Brevard touchdowns in the third quarter. Maiden scored late in the game on a 7-yard pass from Lawing to Tre Bradley.
CLASS 3A
Shelby 30, Lincolnton 0: The visiting Golden Lions (12-3) dominated the Wolves (11-3) from start to finish and earned their first trip to the state finals since 2021. Shelby has won 12 state football championships.
Lincolnton beat Shelby 35-34 in overtime during the regular season.
CLASS 2A
Murphy 14, Starmount 2: The Bulldogs (12-2) earned their ticket into the state finals with a strong defensive effort against Starmount (11-3).
Starmount drove to the Murphy 13 early in the second quarter but was stopped on downs. Murphy then marched to the Starmount 14, was pushed back to the 21 on a sack, then missed a field goal.
Murphy finally got on the scoreboard early in the third quarter on a 20-yard run by Cameron Clem. That followed a short punt by Starmount that gave the Bulldogs the ball at the Starmount 42.
Murphy’s second score came midway in the fourth quarter, on Brody Grant’s 2-yard run. The Bulldog defense set up that score by forcing a Starmount fumble at the Rams’ 3.
Starmount drove to the Murphy 1 with five minutes left, but the Bulldogs’ defense came up big again with an interception. Starmount tackled Murphy’s quarterback in the end zone moments later for a safety.
Murphy is a 10-time state champion and won its most recent title in the spring 2021 season.
Thursday’s games
CLASS 7A
Clayton 35, Cardinal Gibbons 32: Aiden Smalls capped a last-minute rally with a 33-yard touchdown pass that lifted Clayton over Cardinal Gibbons in a back-and-forth battle for the Class 7A East Regional championship.
The victory sends Clayton (12-2) to the 7A state championship game next week against defending state champion Grimsley. It will be the Comets’ first appearance in a title game in 36 years.
Cardinal Gibbons finished 12-2.
The host Crusaders had rallied from a 28-18 deficit to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and grab a 32-28 lead over Clayton.
But the Comets drove 80 yards in two minutes, with Smalls throwing a pair of long passes. The touchdown came on a second-down play. Smalls rolled to his right and threw the ball off-balance. Parker Ferguson broke clear of his defender and snagged the ball in the end zone.
The touchdown capped a huge night for Smalls, who ran for Clayton’s other four touchdowns. He scored on runs of 1, 13, 2 and 22 yards. His final run came with nine minutes left, and it put the Comets ahead 28-18.
Cardinal Gibbons, which opened the second half with Xavier Hasan returning the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, came alive in the fourth quarter.
The Crusaders narrowed Clayton’s lead to 28-25 with 7:02 left, on a 7-yard quarterback keeper by Gannon Jones. Then, after forcing Clayton to punt, Cardinal Gibbons drove 60 yards for the go-ahead score, on Aaron Anderson’s 29-yard run with 2:21 to play.
But then came Smalls’ game-winning touchdown pass for Clayton, who last played for a state championship in 1989, beating Monroe 16-0 for the 2A title.
Grimsley 13, Weddington 7: Tennessee recruit Faizon Brandon had a big third-down scramble and a big third-down pass to keep drives alive and help the Whirlies slip past Weddington in the 7A Western finals.
CLASS 5A
The state finals are set, with Crest and Hunt winning regional finals Thursday night.
Crest 39, Hickory 21: Ely Hamrick threw for a touchdown and ran for another, as the Chargers (12-2) ended Hickory’s hopes of repeating as state champion. Namajay Thompson caught a touchdown pass from Hamrick and ran for another.
Hickory (12-2) took an 8-7 lead with a safety late in the first quarter, but Crest surged ahead on touchdown runs by Thompson and Hamrick. That put the Chargers up 22-8 at the half.
Hickory closed to 22-15 in the third quarter on Jaheem Jenkins’ 6-yard run, but Carson Grier’s 39-yard field goal put Crest ahead 25-15. Michael Edwards and Malachi Gamble ran for Crest touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Hickory’s Rocket Brice closed the scoring with an 81-yard touchdown run.
Crest will be seeking its fourth state football championship. The Chargers’ most recent title was in 2014.
Hunt 20, Jacksonville Northside 7: The host Warriors (12-2) earned their first state championship appearance since 2004 by building a 20-0 halftime lead and holding on.
Doryan Jones ran for a pair of first-half touchdowns, and Will Doll kicked a pair of field goals. Rahlai Anderson’s 4-yard run with eight minutes left put Northside (11-3) on the scoreboard, and the Monarchs threatened again with three minutes left. They drove to the Hunt 31, but back-to-back sacks by Hunt’s Judah Harris and Randy James ended the threat.
CLASS 4A
Reidsville 23, West Craven 21: The 23-time state football champions are headed back to the finals again. Reidsville missed the championship game last year, after winning the title in 2023, but the Rams (12-2) got a game-winning field goal in the final minute and downed the Eagles (12-2).
Reidsville will face Brevard for the championship.
West Craven trailed 20-8 in the third quarter but took the lead on a D.J. Davis touchdown run and a Davis pass to Christopher Person. The second touchdown came with 5:04 left in the game and put the Eagles ahead 21-20.
Reidsville then drove to the West Craven 4, thanks to a 43-yard pass from Dionte Neal to Frankie Galloway. The Rams ended the game with Alex Penaloza connecting on a 21-yard field goal.
CLASS 3A
Kinston 30, James Kenan 7: Kinston (11-4) reached the state finals as the East’s No. 14 seed. The Vikings broke open a 7-7 game by scoring on a Tyler Jones touchdown pass late in the first half. Jones threw another touchdown pass in the third quarter, giving the Vikings a 21-7 lead, and they were never threatened again.
James Kenan, the East’s No. 1 seed, finished 12-2.
Kinston will be making its first state championship appearance in 20 years. The Vikings are four-time state champs.
CLASS 2A
Tarboro 40, Warren County 0: Tarboro, which won the 1A state title last year, will make its ninth consecutive state championship game appearance. The Vikings (14-0) got five touchdown runs from Kamerin McDowell-Moore and crushed the Eagles (11-3).
McDowell-Moore scored on runs of 17, 4, 25, 80 and 10 yards. Tyler Powell connected with Caiden Everette for Tarboro’s other touchdown.
Talking Preps streaming
Friday’s regional championship postgame
The Round 4 NC players of the week
Regional championship Thursday postgame
Live NCHSAA scoreboard
NCISAA all-state teams announced
The NC Independent Schools Athletic Association has announced its all-state teams.
Division I
Quarterback: Zaid Lott, Providence Day School
Running Backs: Jamal Rule, Charlotte Christian School; De’jon Douglas, Charlotte Latin School
Wide Receivers: Marcus Sales, Cannon School; Gordon Sellars, Providence Day School; Walker Bryson, Rabun Gap School
Offensive Linemen: Matthew Barber, Charlotte Latin School; Nick Cherry, Providence Day School; Cooper Hodson, Providence Day School; Preston Broadway, Metrolina Christian Academy; Charles Emile-Binet, Rabun Gap School
Defensive Linemen: Jackson Laws, Cannon School; Griff Galloway, Providence Day School; Jace Goodwin, Providence Day School; Isaac Lukuni, Rabun Gap School
Linebackers: Cohen Kilgannon, Charlotte Christian School; Justin Abanquah, Providence Day School; Quintin McCray, Providence Day School; Jay Schell, Rabun Gap School
Defensive Backs: Kingston Davis, Cannon School; Caleb Cooper, Providence Day School; Tre Geathers, Providence Day School; Zeke Marshall, Rabun Gap School
Specialist: Jacob Baggett, Providence Day School
All Purpose: Joshua Buckhalter, Rabun Gap School
Division II
Quarterback: Jonas Howard, Asheville School
Running Backs: Jeremiah Davis, Harrells Christian Academy; Jaylen Moore, High Point Christian Academy
Wide Receivers: Marvyn Larozar, Asheville School; Noah Belote, Hickory Grove Christian School; Kaeden Eddie, SouthLake Christian Academy
Offensive Linemen: Anton Oladejo, Asheville School; Kilian Sareault, Asheville School; Zane Wagner, Covenant Day School; Luke Craven, High Point Christian Academy; Mason Pierce, High Point Christian Academy
Defensive Linemen: Xander Prosper, Asheville School; Xander Garcia, Harrells Christian Academy; Micah Russell, High Point Christian Academy; Baganley Donzo, Trinity Christian School
Linebackers: Alex Samson, Asheville School; Cam Norton, High Point Christian Academy; Rhyne Russell, High Point Christian Academy; Dontario Austin, Trinity Christian School
Defensive Backs: Shiloh Mukendi, Asheville School; Tayshaun Wadsworth, Asheville School; Landon Davis, High Point Christian Academy; Brenner Russell, High Point Christian Academy
Specialist: David Green, High Point Christian Academy
All Purpose: Dashaun McKoy, Harrells Christian Academy
THE SCHEDULE
(all kickoffs at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
NCHSAA semifinals
THURSDAY
CLASS 7A
West
Grimsley 13, Weddington 7
East
Clayton 35, Cardinal Gibbons 32
CLASS 5A
West
Crest 39, Hickory 21
East
Hunt 20, Jacksonville Northside 7
CLASS 4A
East
Reidsville 23, West Craven 21
CLASS 3A
East
Kinston 30, James Kenan 7
CLASS 2A
East
Tarboro 40, Warren County 0
FRIDAY
CLASS 4A
West
Brevard 30, Maiden 13
CLASS 3A
West
Shelby 30, Lincolnton 0
CLASS 2A
West
Murphy 14, Starmount 2
SATURDAY
CLASS 6A
West
Watauga 43, Northern Guilford 42
East
Middle Creek 31, Jacksonville 21
Next week’s state championships
THURSDAY
(at Kenan Stadium, UNC Chapel Hill)
CLASS 1A
Robbinsville (10-3) vs. Wilson Prep (8-5), 4 p.m.
CLASS 8A
Hough (13-0) vs. Millbrook (13-0), 8 p.m.
FRIDAY
(at Kenan Stadium, UNC Chapel Hill)
CLASS 6A
Watauga (14-0) vs. Middle Creek (12-2), 4 p.m.
CLASS 7A
Grimsley (14-0) vs. Clayton (12-2), 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
(at Lenoir-Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium, Hickory)
CLASS 4A
Brevard (14-0) vs. Reidsville (12-2), 11 a.m.
CLASS 2A
Murphy (12-2) vs. Tarboro (14-0), 5 p.m.
(at Durham County Memorial Stadium)
CLASS 3A
Shelby (12-3) vs. Kinston (11-4), 2 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Crest (12-2) vs. Hunt (12-2), 8 p.m.
This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM.