WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Eastern Guilford took an early lead on the first play from scrimmage, but ultimately it was Weddington’s defense that won the day as the Warriors managed a a 33-20 victory in the 3AA State Title game. It was the school’s first football championship in two appearances in the finals.



The Wildcats struck first on an 80-yard touchdown pass to Nic Cheeley from Dominique Graves on the first play from scrimmage. Weddington struck back to tie the game on the final play of the first quarter when James Shipley hauled in a pass for 47 yards and a score from Warrior QB David Bayha.



Eastern Guilford took the lead back just three plays later when Bryant Barr went streaking 40 yards for a score to give the Wildcats a 14-7 lead with 10:45 to play in the first half. The next two scores went to Weddington as Bayha found Max Brimigion from 47 yards out to tie the game at 14 with 8:57 to go in the half. Then Denzel Patton capped off a 9-play, 60-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Warriors their first lead of the game with 3:04 to go in the half.



In the second half, Weddington extended the lead as Bayha threw his third and final touchdown of the game to Richie Laughlin, covering 27 yards and putting the Warriors up 27-14 with 4:07 to go in the third quarter after the point-after failed.

Then a short punt set the Warriors up with a short field and after four plays and 37 yards Chase Randolph found pay-dirt to give the Warriors a 33-14 advantage with 1:07 to go in the third.



Eastern Guilford tried to claw back into the game in the fourth quarter as Bryant Barr hit Zaccheus Milton for a 24-yard strike and score. The two-point conversion attempt failed leaving the Wildcats down 33-20 with 5:55 to go.

The Warriors won the ground battle offensively, rolling up 173 yards rushing while only allowing 105 by the Wildcats. Weddington held a 356 to 259-yard edge in total offense. Bayha was named the game’s M.V.P. with a 10 for 17 performance for 183 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He also rushed 13 times for 74 yards on the afternoon.



Eastern Guilford concluded the year 15-1, champions of the Mid-State 3A Conference. The Wildcats made their first appearance in an NCHSAA Football State Championship game.



Weddington ended the year 13-3, champions of the Southern Carolina 3A Conference for the first time in school history. The State Title was Weddington’s first in two appearances in the State Finals.





Story courtesy of the NCHSAA

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Thomas Lempereur booted three field goals to make the difference for South Point in a 16-7 victory over Rocky Mount, winning the 3A State Championship and claiming the school’s fifth football state championship. The victory for the Red Raiders avenged an overtime loss in last year’s 3A State Championship to Rocky Mount.



South Point opened the scoring as Lempereur converted a 29-yard field goal to break the ice with 3:32 to go in the opening quarter. It took the remainder of the half for either team to break through again as Rocky Mount got a 25-yard touchdown pass from Shabios Lynch to Shyheim Battle with just eight seconds remaining in the half to pick up a 7-3 lead at the break.



Lempereur drew the Red Raiders within one as he knocked a 36-yard field goal through with 8:16 remaining in the third, making the score 7-6. The Red Raider defense then forced a fumble which Tanner Canterberry recovered at the Gryphon 23 yardline.



The Red Raiders cashed in six plays later as quarterback Scottie Lee found Ray Grier from seven yards out for a score with 4:39 to go in the third quarter giving South Point a 13-7 lead.



Defenses controlled the remainder of the game as the only score came off of a 25-yard Lempereur field goal with 3:06 to play. South Point’s defense was dominant on the day holding the Gryphon offense to just 118 yards of total offense while forcing a fumble and an interception on the game.



Rocky Mount completed the season 13-3, finishing second in the Big East 3A Conference behind Southern Nash, a team they knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. The Gryphons made the school’s seventh appearance in an NCHSAA Football Championship all-time.



South Point’s Jake Alexander was named the game’s Most Valuable Player as he rushed for 135 yards on 28 carries. The Red Raiders finished the season 12-4, second place in the Big South 2A/3A Conference. South Point claimed the school’s fourth state title all time in five appearances.





Story courtesy of the NCHSAA

1^st Round: November 18, 2016















2016 Football Championships 1A





2016 Football Championships 1AA





2016 Football Championships 2A





2016 Football Championships 2AA





2016 Football Championships 3A





2016 Football Championships 3AA





2016 Football Championships 4A





2016 Football Championships 4AA