Grimsley going back to the state final after Whirlies stop Weddington
What had been a high-scoring playoff rivalry turned defensive Thursday.
And with a lower score after three straight meetings where the score exceeded 55 total points each time, just a few plays sealed Weddington’s fate — barely — in a 13-7 N.C. 7A Western Regional championship loss to host Greensboro Grimsley.
The game was played with temperatures in the 30s and there was some light rain falling late in the second half.
The win, Grimsley’s third over Weddington in the last four seasons, allows the Whirlies (14-0) to advance to their second straight state championship game and extend their winning streak to 30.
Grimsley will face Clayton, which beat Cardinal Gibbons in the Eastern 7A regional final.
“I think both defenses are a lot older,” Weddington coach Andy Capone said of the low-scoring defensive game.
The Whirlies appeared in control with a 13-0 lead late in the third quarter and an apparent pick-six for what could have been a 20-0 advantage.
Instead, an illegal block penalty on the return meant Grimsley had first-and-10 at the Weddington 25 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
It set up a dramatic finish that started when Weddington defensive lineman Aiden Harris stripped a Grimsley ball carrier and KD Cotton, who transferred from West Charlotte in mid-season, scooped up the fumble and returned it 69 yards for his team’s first score, with 52 seconds left in the third quarter.
Weddington had two more chances to complete the comeback but Walker Powell’s fourth-and-goal incompletion from the 7 snuffed out one drive and Grimsley’s third interception with 45 seconds left — and after the Warriors had advanced to the Whirlies’ 47 — ended its hopes.
The game was played Thursday because of expected cold temperatures and inclement weather Friday.
It matched two of the state’s top teams. This season, both teams are ranked nationally in the top 100 and are top five in the N.C. statewide 7A poll.
Weddington limited Faizon Brandon, a Tennessee recruit rated the state’s top prospect, to 115 yards passing on 7-of-16 accuracy and 68 yards rushing.
But Brandon had a 67-yard run in the third quarter that turned a third-and-12 from Grimsley’s 2 into a field goal and his 36-yard pass to Kosci Barnes moved the Whirlies from their own 6 to the 42 before Weddington’s last offensive possession.
“They’ve got a great defense,” Brandon said of Weddington. “And a great defensive line. You can’t take nothing away from those guys. They do a lot of great stuff.”
THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE
Weddington pass rushers Andrew Harris, Aiden Harris and T.J. Davis: Combined to pressure Grimsley QB Faizon Brandon all night. They sacked him four times and limited Grimsley to 342 yards total offense.
Ty Shoemake, Grimsley: Sophomore running back had 143 yards on 18 carries.
KD Cotton, Weddington: Senior was outstanding on both sides of the ball and had 33 yards rushing, 15 yards passing and 26 yards receiving for an offense limited to 170 yards total.
Notable
— Grimsley has now beaten Weddington 28-27 (2022), 35-23 (2024) and 13-7 (this year) in the playoffs, while Weddington eliminated the Whirlies 44-27 at home in 2023. Grimsley’s last loss was that 44-27 Western 4A semifinals game.
— Top receiver Kelson Tate was injured in practice this week and didn’t play for Weddington.
— Charlotte 49ers recruit Kaden Catoe of Grimsley was injured in the first quarter, had to be helped from the field and did not return.
They said it
“It’s tough when you go against one of the best in the country. But our kids fought and battled hard and roughed him up a little bit. We just fell a little short tonight.” — Weddington coach Andy Capone on playing against Grimsley QB Faizon Brandon.
Scoring summary
Weddington 0 0 7 0 — 7
Grimsley 3 0 10 0 —13
Second quarter
G: FG Chase Huellmantel 30
Third quarter
G: Ty Shoemake 37 run (Huellmantel kick)
G: FG Huellmantel 22
W: KD Cotton 69 fumble return (Owen McNulty kick)
This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM.