In the ever-evolving landscape of North Carolina high school football, Week 4 brings forth an intriguing mix of stability and dynamic change as the Carolina Gridiron rankings for all four classifications are revealed. This comprehensive report delves into the updated standings and highlights any notable surges or shifts since Week 3.

4A Classification: Grimsley Maintains Control, Two Groups of Mavericks in Top Spots

In the 4A classification, Grimsley continues to exert its dominance, securing the top spot with an impressive 3-0 record. While Grimsley maintained its position with authority, Mallard Creek, Weddington, and East Forsyth remain right on their heels. Cleveland makes their first appearance of the season and Marvin Ridge joins the Top 15 after an impressive last-minute win over Ardrey Kell.

The Week 4 rankings for the 4A classification are as follows:

1. Grimsley
2. Mallard Creek
3. Weddington
4. East Forsyth
5. Cardinal Gibbons
6. Hough
7. Butler
8. Charlotte Catholic
9. New Bern
10. Chambers
11. Rolesville
12. Mooresville
13. Marvin Ridge
14. West Forsyth
15. Cleveland

3A Classification: Crest Maintains Top Spot, West Charlotte Surges

Transitioning to the 3A classification, Crest continues to hold the pole position, showcasing their strength with a 3-0 record. Both the Chargers and county rival Kings Mountain fended off ranked 2A in-county opponents this past Friday. Meanwhile, West Charlotte made a significant move, advancing from the 10th spot in Week 3 to a formidable 7th place in Week 4 after a win over Charlotte rival Independence.

The Week 4 rankings for the 3A classification are as follows:

1. Crest
2. Kings Mountain
3. Dudley
4. Northern Nash
5. East Lincoln
6. Seventy-First
7. West Charlotte
8. Havelock
9. Eastern Guilford
10. Eastern Alamance
11. AC Reynolds
12. South Point
13. Scotland
14. Western Alamance
15. Northwest Cabarrus

2A Classification: Reidsville Leads, Clinton and Salisbury Impress

In the 2A classification, Reidsville maintains its stronghold at the top, demonstrating consistency with a 3-0 record. Clinton and Salisbury, however, have made significant strides, with Clinton securing the 2nd spot and Salisbury firmly planting itself in 3rd place after both teams had impressive wins this past week. The Princeton Bulldogs climbed into the rankings this week after an impressive 3-0 start to the season.

The Week 4 rankings for the 2A classification are as follows:

1. Reidsville
2. Clinton
3. Salisbury
4. Northeastern
5. East Duplin
6. Monroe
7. Forest Hills
8. Whiteville
9. Bunker Hill
10. Chase
11. Edenton Holmes
12. Nash Central
13. Burns
14. Princeton
15. Shelby

1A Classification: Mount Airy Leads, Starmount Shines

Lastly, in the 1A classification, Mount Airy maintains its top-tier status with an unblemished 3-0 record while most of the top five remain the same. Starmount is the standout mover this week, rising from 13th place in Week 3 to a top ten spot.

The Week 4 rankings for the 1A classification are as follows:

1. Mount Airy
2. Tarboro
3. Robbinsville
4. Swain
5. Mitchell
6. Eastern Randolph
7. Andrews
8. Draughn
9. Thomasville
10. Starmount
11. Hayesville
12. Murphy
13. North Rowan
14. Northampton
15. Polk

As the North Carolina high school football season unfolds, these rankings serve as a compass, guiding us through the intricate web of competition. The remarkable jumps by various teams illustrate the dynamic nature of the sport, where dedication and talent can yield substantial rewards. With each passing week, the anticipation of electrifying matchups and unforeseen developments on the gridiron continues to build, making the high school football season an exhilarating journey for players and fans alike. 

New Bern struck first with a six-play, sixty-four-yard
drive, all on the ground. Senior running back Chamir Wright capped off the
drive with a twenty-two tard scamper around the left side of the line. The Bears
looked to try and put the game away early after No’Tavien Green wrestled a pass
from a Grimsley receiver and returned the interception into Whirlies territory.
Aronne Herring punched it in five plays later to give New Bern a 13-0 lead.

A ninety-eight-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by
Terrell Anderson got the Grimsley on their feet and the Whirlies defense
stepped up on the next drive, stopping the Bears for the first time on the
evening. A five-play, fifty-one-yard drive, finished off with a thirty-yard
Ryan Stephens rushing touchdown gave the Whirlies their first lead of the
night. The lead was short-lived, though, as New Bern’s Chamir Wright found the
end zone a second time, and the New Bern defense held on a fourth down to end
the half.

After forcing a three-and-out to start the second half,
Aronne Herring exploded on the next play, racing sixty-six yards for the score.
Just like the first half, when it looked like New Bern was poised to take a
three-score lead, the Grimsley defense stepped up again, forcing a fumble on a
fourth down and returning into New Bern territory. Mitchell Summers’s six-yard
score made it a one-score game going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter began with a bang as New Bern quarterback
Damaree Tucker ran the option keeper for a twenty-three-yard touchdown. In what
seemed to be a pattern on the evening, the Bears were knocking on the door for
a score again, but the Grimsley defense stuffed New Bern at the one-yard line. The
Whirlies were ninety-nine yards away from the end zone, but undeterred. When
Terrell Anderson got behind the New Bern defense and hauled in the Ryan
Stephens pass, the junior receiver raced eighty-five yards for the score,
keeping the Whirlies fans on the edge of their seats. New Bern had the final
say, a thirty-six-yard score by Bears quarterback Tucker, his second of the
night.

MVP – No'Tavien Green

Grimsley Def. MOP – Keshaun Jones

Grimsley Off. MOP – #22 Mitchell Summers

New Bern Def. MOP – KJ Sampson

New Bern Off. MOP – Aronne Herring

CHAPEL HILL –
The Grimsley Whirlies defense came to play, forcing four turnovers and limiting
Cardinal Gibbons to 250 yards of total offense on their way to a 28-8 victory
in the 4A State Championship Game. The Whirlies collected the program’s first
State Championship since the name of the school changed from Greensboro High to
Grimsley in 1962.

In what appeared to
settle into a defensive struggle in the early going, the game’s Most Valuable
Player, as selected by the media, was Grimsley QB Alonza Barnett who opened the
scoring on a five-yard touchdown run with 1:27 to go in the opening quarter.
Barnett’s run helped the Whirlies capitalize on the first of the Crusaders’
turnovers, plunging into the endzone to cap a four-play, 26-yard drive.

Gibbons was able to
win the field position battle with an outstanding punt by Carter Gray that
pinned the Whirlies down inside their own one yard line to start the second
quarter. The Crusader defense managed to put some pressure on Barnett who was
called for intentional grounding on a throw from the endzone, forcing a safety
and putting the Crusaders on the board in the early minutes of the second
quarter.

After the safety,
the two teams traded possessions until Connor Clark was intercepted by Nate
Crawford with less than a minute to play in the half. Crawford returned the
pick all the way to the Gibbons 24. On the second play of the late first-half
drive, Barnett found Lawson Albright in the back of the endzone for an 11-yard
touchdown to stretch Grimsley’s lead to 14-2.

Barnett finished
the game with 87 yards through the air and one touchdown pass, netting 30 yards
on the ground to go with his ice-breaking touchdown run. He took great care of
the football, not throwing an interception on his 17 pass attempts.

Jeiel Melton
powered the Grimsley ground game, racking up 116 yards and a touchdown in the
game on his way to being named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player for the
Whirlies.   Tamoryer Thompson led the way for the Whirlies defense,
picking up 3.5 tackles in the game including a pair of sacks, and recording two
additional quarterback pressures. Thompson was selected as the Most Outstanding
Defensive Player for Grimsley.

Donovan Shepard was
the bell cow for the Crusader offense, named the Most Outstanding Offensive
Player for Gibbons as he led the team with 124 rushing yards and added a 15
yard reception out of the backfield. Shepard did not find the endzone but made
several key runs to keep Crusader drives alive and help move the offense forward
against a stingy Grimsley front. Jake Ladd was selected as the Crusaders Most
Outstanding Defensive Player, tallying three tackles and two fumble recoveries
in the game.

Cardinal Gibbons
wrapped up the season 9-1. The Crusaders were 6-0 in CAP-7 4A play. Gibbons
secured the program’s second straight Regional Title.

Grimsley finished
the season 10-0. The Whirlies were 4-0 in Metro 4A play. They won the program’s
second regional title and appeared in the State Championship Game for the first
time since 2005. Grimsley won the school’s first State Football Championships
since winning the 4A Championship in 1960 when the school was then named
Greensboro High.

The NCHSAA is
committed to recognizing and promoting good sportsmanship and has partnered with
the NC Farm Bureau to highlight individuals from each State Championship event
who exemplify the ideals of outstanding sportsmanship. The 2020-2021 4A
Sportsmanship Award recipients were Brendan Charnot from Cardinal Gibbons and
Clifton Buckrham from Grimsley.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

1:27 – GRIM – A.
Barnett 5 yard run (J. Henry kick good) – GRIM 7-0 (4 plays, 26 yards, 2:21)

Second Quarter

10:43 – CG – Team Safety
(Intentional Grounding in the Endzone) – GRIM 7-2

0:17 – GRIM – L.
Albright 11 yard pass from A. Barnett (J. Henry kick good) – GRIM 14-2 (2
plays, 24 yards, 0:27)

Third Quarter

No Scoring

Fourth Quarter

8:03 – GRIM – J.
Melton 9 yard run (J. Henry kick good) – GRIM 21-2 (11 plays, 92 yards, 4:45)

7:24 – CG – M.
Shotwell 41 yard pass from C. Clark (B. Biestek pass failed) – GRIM 21-8 (2
plays, 54 yards, 0:30)

4:37 – GRIM – C.
Curtain 38 yard interception return (J. Henry kick good) – GRIM 28-8

Story courtesy of the NCHSAA