As the NCHSAA football playoffs head into the fourth round, anticipation is high for thrilling matchups and historic achievements. Among the standout narratives is Tarboro's remarkable 16th consecutive post-Thanksgiving appearance, the longest streak in North Carolina. The Vikings, eyeing an eighth straight fourth-round presence, have been dominant in the East Regional, clinching the title six years in a row.

In a clash of resilience and ambition, Tarboro faces East Bladen, the No. 13 seed, marking their deepest playoff run since 2009. Wilson Prep, making only its second playoff appearance, is set for a post-Thanksgiving debut, while West Columbus looks to build on last year's near miss, determined to break through the fourth round after a hiatus since 1985.

Robbinsville, a familiar face in the fourth round with six appearances in the last decade, seeks redemption after falling short in the third round last season. North Rowan, making its first fourth-round appearance since 1992, aims to recapture the glory of its 1992 state runner-up finish.

In the 2A bracket, Clinton and Nash Central are making significant playoff strides, with Clinton making its first fourth-round appearance since 2019, and Nash Central celebrating its inaugural entry into the round. Whiteville, back after a 1987 2A Championship, showcases their resilience in the 1A Classification, while Northeastern returns for the seventh time since 2010.

The 3A bracket sees perennial contenders Havelock and Crest making their mark once again, with Havelock on its 14th fourth-round appearance and Crest in its 15th. Southern Alamance is set for its fourth-round debut, adding an element of unpredictability to the mix.

In the 4A bracket, Rolesville continues its dominance with a fourth consecutive appearance, while Cardinal Gibbons looks for redemption after last year's second-round exit. Butler, making its seventh fourth-round appearance, faces Independence, marking the Patriots' return after a hiatus since 2009.

The excitement is further amplified by the notable high-scoring encounters in the third round, setting the stage for a gripping fourth round. Notably, the clash between Nash Central and Hertford County produced a record-breaking combined score, securing its place in the NCHSAA Football Record Book.

As fans gear up for the upcoming matchups, the stage is set for a weekend of thrilling football action, where history will be made, and teams will battle for a coveted spot in the Regional Finals.

4A West:

#1 Weddington vs. #32 Providence

#16 Julius L. Chambers vs. #17 Northwest Guilford

#8 T.C. Roberson vs. #25 Reagan

#9 Myers Park vs. #24 Charlotte Catholic

#5 Hough vs. #28 Asheville

#12 Porter Ridge vs. #21 Cuthbertson

#13 Sun Valley vs. #20 Cox Mill

#4 Grimsley vs. #29 North Mecklenburg

#3 Mooresville vs. #30 A.L. Brown

#14 Davie County vs. #19 Mount Tabor

#6 Butler vs. #27 Alexander Central

#11 West Forsyth vs. #22 Ardrey Kell

#7 East Forsyth vs. #26 Page

#10 Lake Norman vs. #23 Independence

#15 Marvin Ridge vs. #18 Mallard Creek

#2 Watauga vs. #31 Hickory Ridge

4A East:

#1 Rolesville vs. #32 Purnell Swett

#16 Garner vs. #17 Wake Forest

#8 Jack Britt vs. #25 Fuquay-Varina

#9 Pine Forest vs. #24 Ashley

#5 Cardinal Gibbons vs. #28 Overhills

#12 Millbrook vs. #21 Heritage

#13 Clayton vs. #20 South View

#4 Pinecrest vs. #29 South Garner

#3 Hoggard vs. #30 Chapel Hill

#14 Holly Springs vs. #19 Jordan

#6 Apex Friendship vs. #27 Southeast Raleigh

#11 Laney vs. #22 Middle Creek

#7 Hillside vs. #26 New Hanover

#10 New Bern vs. #23 Apex

#15 Leesville Road vs. #18 Richmond Senior

#2 Cleveland vs. #31 Gray's Creek

3A West:

#1 Crest vs. #32 Parkwood

#16 Statesville vs. #17 South Point

#8 West Charlotte vs. #25 Northeast Guilford

#9 Hibriten vs. #24 Tuscola

#5 Jay M. Robinson vs. #28 North Davidson

#12 Northwest Cabarrus vs. #21 West Rowan

#13 Eastern Guilford vs. #20 Central Davidson

#4 Dudley vs. #29 West Iredell

#3 West Henderson vs. #30 Erwin

#14 Ledford vs. #19 East Lincoln

#6 Oak Grove vs. #27 Ashbrook

#11 Pisgah vs. #22 North Henderson

#7 A.C. Reynolds vs. #26 North Gaston

#10 Kings Mountain vs. #23 Smoky Mountain

#15 North Lincoln vs. #18 Rockingham County

#2 Hickory vs. #31 Hunter Huss

3A East:

#1 Havelock vs. #32 Dixon

#16 Cape Fear vs. #17 Western Alamance

#8 White Oak vs. #25 J.H. Rose

#9 North Brunswick vs. #24 Person

#5 Scotland County vs. #28 Rocky Mount

#12 Eastern Alamance vs. #21 Southern Durham

#13 Northern Nash vs. #20 Richlands

#4 Southern Nash vs. #29 Croatan

#3 Southern Alamance vs. #30 Orange

#14 Jacksonville vs. #19 C.B. Aycock

#6 Vance County vs. #27 Terry Sanford

#11 Harnett Central vs. #22 West Carteret

#7 Fike vs. #26 Southern Lee

#10 Currituck County vs. #23 South Johnston

#15 Williams vs. #18 Hunt

#2 Seventy-First vs. #31 Triton

2A West:

#1 Reidsville vs. #32 Madison

#16 West Stokes vs. #17 Southwestern Randolph

#8 Brevard vs. #25 Trinity

#9 North Stanly vs. #24 T.W. Andrews

#5 Monroe vs. #28 Bandys

#12 West Lincoln vs. #21 CHASE

#13 Burns vs. #20 Pine Lake Prep

#4 Bunker Hill vs. #29 East Rutherford

#3 Community School of Davidson vs. #30 Lexington

#14 East Surry vs. #19 Providence Grove

#6 Randleman vs. #27 West Stanly

#11 Forest Hills vs. #22 Anson

#7 Shelby vs. #26 Mount Pleasant

#10 North Surry vs. #23 Lincolnton

#15 Maiden vs. #18 East Gaston

#2 Salisbury vs. #31 East Davidson

2A East:

#1 Clinton vs. #32 Kinston

#16 Beddingfield vs. #17 James Kenan

#8 Cummings vs. #25 Heide Trask

#9 Martin County vs. #24 Southeast Alamance

#5 Wallace-Rose Hill vs. #28 Greene Central

#12 Hertford County vs. #21 St. Pauls

#13 West Craven vs. #20 North Pitt

#4 Nash Central vs. #29 Roanoke Rapids

#3 SouthWest Edgecombe vs. #30 Red Springs

#14 Farmville Central vs. #19 Southwest Onslow

#6 Whiteville vs. #27 South Granville

#11 East Duplin vs. #22 Eastern Wayne

#7 Princeton vs. #26 Camden County

#10 Louisburg vs. #23 Northwood

#15 Midway vs. #18 Holmes

#2 Northeastern vs. #31 North Johnston

1A West:

#1 Robbinsville vs. #32 Thomas Jefferson

#16 Mountain Island Charter vs. #17 Alleghany

#8 Bessemer City vs. #25 South Stanly

#9 Swain County vs. #24 Avery County

#5 Mountain Heritage vs. #28 Carver

#12 Starmount vs. #21 Cherokee

#13 Draughn vs. #20 Corvian Community

#4 North Rowan vs. #29 Elkin

#3 Eastern Randolph vs. #30 Cherryville

#14 Hayesville vs. #19 Christ the King

#6 Albemarle vs. #27 South Davidson

#11 Thomasville vs. #22 Andrews

#7 Bishop McGuinness vs. #26 South Stokes

#10 Murphy vs. #23 Polk County

#15 Mitchell vs. #18 East Wilkes

#2 Mount Airy vs. #31 Union Academy

1A East:

#1 Tarboro BYE

#16 Hobbton vs. #17 Northampton

#8 North Duplin vs. #25 Pamlico County

#9 Southeast Halifax vs. #24 Union

#5 Bear Grass Charter BYE

#12 Rosewood vs. #21 Washington County

#13 East Bladen vs. #20 North Edgecombe

#4 Northside (Pinetown) BYE

#3 Wilson Prep BYE

#14 Gates County vs. #19 Weldon

#6 North Moore vs. #27 Chatham Central

#11 Bertie vs. #22 Southside

#7 Lakewood vs. #26 Northwest Halifax

#10 Perquimans vs. #23 East Columbus

#15 Warren County vs. #18 Pender

#2 West Columbus BYE

RALEIGH – The 3A state championship game, scheduled to be the last game of the 2022 North Carolina high school football season, featured two undefeated teams with dynamic offenses and stingy defenses. In the end, it was turnovers that seemed to make the biggest difference, with East Lincoln’s four turnovers leading the Mustangs to a 30-15 victory and the 3A state championship.

Northern Nash started the game with a bang, with Keno Jones hitting a streaking Randall King for a sixty-six-yard catch and run to get the Knights inside the five-yard line on the second play of the game. Jones scored on a keeper on the next play to put Northern Nash on the board less than a minute into the game. A fumble on East Lincoln’s first play from scrimmage looked like it would be a disaster for the Mustangs, but the East Lincoln defense stepped up and turned Northern Nash over on downs.

Energized by their team’s big defensive stops, the Mustangs offense started to hit their stride later in the quarter. Sophomore running back Christopher Daley II punished the Northern Nash defense, rumbling in from thirty-five yards out to give the Mustangs a 7-6 lead. Keno Jones went deep again on the next Northern Nash drive, hitting Trey Battle for forty-five yards to get the Knights in scoring position. The East Lincoln defense kept the Knights out of the end zone and forced a Bryson Jenkins field goal to end the quarter.

The second quarter belonged to quarterback Tyler Mizzell and the Mustangs. Mizzell threw two beautiful touchdown passes to give East Lincoln a commanding lead going into the half. The first score was a toss to Markell Clark, but it was the fade to Keandre Walker in the back corner of the end zone that had the Mustang faithful on their feet and feeling like they had overcome the costly miscues from earlier in the evening. A Christopher Mileta field goal with no time remaining in the half set the intermission score at 24-9. After a scoreless third quarter, Mileta would add the next points of the game with two fourth-quarter field goals. Keno Jones added a late touchdown pass to Ashton Rhodes to cap the scoring.

Defensively, East Lincoln teetered between giving up big passes to Northern Nash’s speedy outside receivers and making athletic plays to pick off passes. Defensive end Diego Neira picked off a screen pass to set up East Lincoln’s second touchdown of the night. Aiden Terrell and Keandre Walker picked off passes on consecutive drives in the third quarter and Marcel Johnson recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter to keep Northern Nash off the board.

The win marked the third football state championship for East Lincoln, all within the last eleven seasons. Northern Nash suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 0-2 all-time in state title games.

RALEIGH – Mount Airy’s Tyler Mason came into Saturday’s game having scored forty-one touchdowns through fifteen games and needing one-hundred-thirty-seven yards to reach two-thousand yards on the season. The junior lived up to his billing, rushing for three touchdowns and 139 yards and leading his team to the NCHSAA 1A state championship with a 20-7 victory over Tarboro on Saturday afternoon.

The Mount Airy defense entered Saturday afternoon’s 1A state championship against Tarboro giving up less than ten points per game on average. The Granite Bears defense had pitched shutouts in four of its last five regular-season games and two more in the playoffs. Mount Airy was able to hold the Vikings off the scoreboard for the first twenty-seven minutes of the game, finally surrendering a score in the third quarter.

Tarboro finally found its way in the third quarter. After Omarion Lewis picked off a Mount Airy pass and returned it into Granite Bears territory, Vikings running back Mason Satterfield barely broke the goal line on a run around the right side of the formation to get Tarboro on the board for the first time on the afternoon, but it was not enough to dig out of the hold the Vikings found themselves in after surrendering three touchdowns first.

In a twist seen more in 1A football than in other classifications, both team’s quarterbacks made strong defensive efforts on the other side of the ball. Mount Airy’s Ian Gallimore led his team with fourteen tackles and Tarboro’s Omarion Lewis snagged an interception to go along with eight tackles.

The win was the Granite Bears’ seventh title and first since a 2008 win over Williamston. Tarboro, making its sixth straight title game appearance, drops just its second title game in that span.

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

2022
NCHSAA 1A Football Playoffs | First Round Pairings | Friday, November 4, 2022

EAST

#1
Tarboro (9-1), BYE

#16
North Duplin (6-4) vs. #17 Southeast Halifax (4-5)

#8
Riverside-Martin (9-1) vs. #25 Pamlico County (3-7)

#9
North Edgecombe (7-3) vs. #24 KIPP Pride(2-8)

#5
West Columbus (7-3) vs. #28 South Creek (0-10)

#12
Gates County (6-4) vs. #21 Washington County (3-7)

#13
Northside-Pinetown (6-4) vs. #20 Weldon (3-5)

#4
Northampton County (8-2) vs. #29 Jones (1-9)

#3
Rosewood (6-4) vs. #30 Chatham Central (1-9)

#14
Warren County (6-4) vs. #19 Lakewood (5-5)

#6
Southside (7-3) vs. #27 Rocky Mount Prep (1-8)

#11
Hobbton (8-2) vs. #22 Northwest Halifax (2-8)

#7
Bear Grass Charter (5-5) vs. #26 East Columbus (2-8)

#10
Wilson Prep (8-2) vs. #23 Perquimans (2-8)

#15
Bertie (4-6) vs. #18 Pender (5-5)

#2
North Moore (10-0) vs. #31 Lejeune (0-10)

WEST

#1
Eastern Randolph (9-1), BYE

#16
South Stokes (4-6) vs. #17 Mountain Heritage (4-6)

#8
Robbinsville (7-3) vs. #25 Cherryville (2-8)

#9
Starmount (7-3) vs. #24 Cherokee (2-8)

#5
Christ the King (8-2) vs. #28 Avery County (3-7)

#12
Hayesville (5-5) vs. #21 Alleghany (3-7)

#13
North Rowan (6-4) vs. #20 Carver (3-7)

#4
Mount Airy (9-1) vs. #29 North Stokes (1-9)

#3
Thomasville (9-1) vs. #30 Elkin (1-9)

#14
Swain County (4-6) vs. #19 Winston-Salem Prep (3-6)

#6
Draughn (9-1) vs. #27 Union Academy (2-8)

#11
Mitchell (7-3) vs. #22 South Davidson (4-6)

#7
Murphy (7-3) vs. #26 Albemarle (3-7)

#10
East Wilkes (8-2) vs. #23 Thomas Jefferson (2-8)

#15
Mountain Island Charter (4-5) vs. #18 Bessemer City (3-7)

#2
Andrews (10-0) vs. #31 Highland Tech (0-10)

2022
NCHSAA 2A Football Playoffs | First Round Pairings | Friday, November 4, 2022

EAST

#1
Princeton (9-1) vs. #32 Goldsboro (2-8)

#16
Heide Trask (7-3) vs. #17 Eastern Wayne (6-4)

#8
Cummings (6-3) vs. #25 Bartlett Yancey (7-3)

#9
East Carteret (7-3) vs. #24 Midway (6-4)

#5
Northeastern (8-2) vs. #28 Farmville Central (5-5)

#12
Wallace-Rose Hill (8-2) vs. #21 Kinston (6-4)

#13
Greene Central (9-1) vs. #20 St. Pauls (6-3)

#4
Nash Central (7-3) vs. #29 North Johnson (3-7)

#3
Whiteville (9-1) vs. #30 Southwest Onslow (2-7)

#14
John A. Holmes (7-3) vs. #19 Southwest Edgecombe (4-6)

#6
West Craven (7-3) vs. #27 Bunn (4-6)

#11
Hertford County (9-1) vs. #22 East Bladen (5-5)

#7
Clinton (9-1) vs. #26 Beddingfield (5-5)

#10
South Granville (5-5) vs. #23 Roanoke Rapids (3-7)

#15
James Kenan (8-2) vs. #18 Camden County (6-4)

#2
East Duplin (9-1) vs. #31 North Pitt (4-6)

WEST

#1
Reidsville (9-1) vs. #32 Madison (3-7)

#16
McMichael (7-3) vs. #17 Providence Grove (7-3)

#8
Chase (10-0) vs. #25 North Wilkes (7-3)

#9
Robinson (9-1) vs. #24 Wilkes Central (7-3)

#5
Maiden (9-1) vs. #28 Polk County (5-5)

#12
Walkertown (8-2) vs. #21 Mount Pleasant (7-3)

#13
Bunker Hill (9-1) vs. #20 East Davidson (6-4)

#4
Community School of Davidson (9-1) vs. #29 East Gaston (6-4)

#3
Burns (9-1) vs. #30 Morehead (4-6)

#14
Forest Hills (9-1) vs. #19 Shelby (6-4)

#6
Salisbury (9-1) vs. #27 Brevard (5-5)

#11
Pine Lake Prep (9-1) vs. #22 West Stokes (5-5)

#7
Monroe (9-1) vs. #26 North Stanly (6-4)

#10
Randleman (7-3) vs. #23 Lincolnton (5-5)

#15
Hendersonville (8-2) vs. #18 West Lincoln (8-2)

#2
East Surry (10-0) vs. #31 Anson (4-6)

2022
NCHSAA 3A Football Playoffs | First Round Pairings | Friday, November 4, 2022

EAST

#1
Northern Nash (10-0) vs. #32 Northside-Jacksonville (1-8)

#16
Southern Nash (7-3) vs. #17 White Oak (7-2)

#8
West Carteret (7-3) vs. #25 Vance County (6-3)

#9
Southern Durham (6-4) vs. #24 Richlands (6-4)

#5
C.B. Aycock (9-1) vs. #28 Triton (5-5)

#12
Smithfield-Selma (9-1) vs. #21 Hunt (6-4)

#13
Rocky Mount (7-3) vs. #20 Jacksonville (5-4)

#4
Havelock (8-2) vs. #29 Croatan (4-6)

#3
Seventy-First (10-0) vs. #30 South Johnston (5-5)

#14
J.H. Rose (7-3) vs. #19 Cape Fear (7-3)

#6
North Brunswick (9-1) vs. #27 Westover (6-4)

#11
Currituck County (6-4) vs. #22 Lee County (7-3)

#7
Terry Sanford (8-2) vs. #26 South Brunswick (5-5)

#10
Scotland (6-4) vs. #23 Fike (5-5)

#15
Williams (7-3) vs. #18 Western Alamance (6-4)

#2
Eastern Alamance (9-1) vs. #31 Franklinton (4-6)

WEST

#1
Kings Mountain (10-0) vs. #32 St. Stephens (4-6)

#16
Central Davidson (8-2) vs. #17 Smoky Mountain (6-4)

#8
West Charlotte (5-5) vs. #25 Cramer (4-6)

#9
Hibriten (5-5) vs. #24 Southern Guilford (6-4)

#5
Northwest Cabarrus (9-1) vs. #28 Ashbrook (4-6)

#12
Ledford (9-1) vs. #21 Freedom (6-4)

#13
Tuscola (9-1) vs. #20 Forestview (4-6)

#4
East Lincoln (10-0) vs. #29 Ashe County (3-7)

#3
Oak Grove (10-0) vs. #30 West Mecklenburg (5-5)

#14
Crest (7-3) vs. #19 Statesville (7-3)

#6
Dudley (8-2) vs. #27 Pisgah (4-6)

#11
South Point (9-1) vs. #22 Hickory (7-3)

#7
Erwin (5-5) vs. #26 Carson (5-5)

#10
Parkwood (5-5) vs. #23 Eastern Guilford (6-4)

#15
West Rowan (8-2) vs. #18 Franklin (6-4)

#2
West Henderson (10-0) vs. #31 North Davidson (3-7)

2022
NCHSAA 4A Football Playoffs | First Round Pairings | Friday, November 4, 2022

EAST

#1
Hillside (10-0) vs. #32 Hoke County (5-5)

#16
Apex (9-1) vs. #17 Panther Creek (7-3)

#8
Holly Springs (8-2) vs. #25 Richmond (5-5)

#9
Pine Forest (8-2) vs. #24 Fuquay-Varina (6-4)

#5
Cardinal Gibbons (8-2) vs. #28 Knightdale (6-4)

#12
Millbrook (9-1) vs. #21 Clayton (6-4)

#13
Southern Alamance (7-3) vs. #20 Riverside-Durham (6-4)

#4
New Hanover (9-1) vs. #29 Broughton (5-5)

#3
Wake Forest (8-2) vs. #30 Chapel Hill (6-4)

#14
Leesville Road (8-2) vs. #19 D.H. Conley (5-5)

#6
Cleveland (10-0) vs. #27 Topsail (5-5)

#11
Rolesville (7-3) vs. #22 Overhills (7-3)

#7
Pinecrest (8-2) vs. #26 Laney (6-4)

#10
Jack Britt (7-3) vs. #23 Jordan (4-6)

#15
Heritage (7-3) vs. #18 Hoggard (7-3)

#2
New Bern (10-0) vs. #31 Sanderson (5-5)

WEST

#1
Grimsley (10-0) vs. #32 Davie (4-6)

#16
Reagan (8-2) vs. #17 Charlotte Catholic (8-2)

#8
Independence (9-1) vs. #25 Page (5-5)

#9
Olympic (10-0) vs. #24 T.C. Roberson (6-4)

#5
Hough (8-2) vs. #28 Providence (5-5)

#12
Mallard Creek (7-3) vs. #21 Ardrey Kell (8-2)

#13
Asheville (8-2) vs. #20 Mount Tabor (8-2)

#4
East Forsyth (10-0) vs. #29 West Forsyth (4-6)

#3
Watauga (9-1) vs. #30 South Iredell (4-6)

#14
Northwest Guilford (8-2) vs. #19 Southeast Guilford (7-3)

#6
Weddington (9-1) vs. #27 Marvin Ridge (5-5)

#11
Cox Mill (8-2) vs. #22 Lake Norman (7-3)

#7
A.C. Reynolds (9-1) vs. #26 A.L. Brown (6-4)

#10
Julius Chambers (8-2) vs. #23 Porter Ridge (7-3)

#15
Butler (8-2) vs. #18 Hickory Ridge (6-4)

#2
Mooresville (9-1) vs. #31 Southwest Guilford (5-5)

CHAPEL HILL – The 1A state championship game started off as two teams who were trying to figure out the weakness in their opponent. Both teams made it to the title game by heavily relying on their run games with Mitchell quarterback Ty Turbyfill coming into the game with the fifth-highest rushing total and the vaunted "Tarboro T" offense amassing over four-thousand yards on the season. Stopping these offenses would be a tall task for anyone, but it was Tarboro's day as the Vikings won their eighth state championship, 28-7, over Mitchell on Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium.

Tarboro was the first team to break the scoreless tie. After a punt pinned the Mountaineers deep at their own one-yard line, the Tarboro defense stepped up and forced Mitchell to punt from their own end zone. The Vikings, with excellent field position, marched eight plays down the field with Trevon White hitting paydirt from three yards out to give Tarboro a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter. 

Mitchell was finally able to find some offense in the second stanza. A pop pass from Turbyfill to Gage Young near the goal line tied the game, showing that neither team was going to back down from the challenge. After trading punts, Tarboro was in business again after a Mitchell punt wobbled out of bounds at the 31-yard line. Eight seemingly long plays later, Trevon White, on a 4th and goal from the one-yard line and with only six seconds left on the clock, punched it in for his second score of the game and gave Tarboro a 14-7 lead going into the half.

Receiving the second-half kickoff, Tarboro went right back to what they do best: run the ball. When Tobias Joyner raced thirty-five yards to extend the Vikings' lead to two scores, Mitchell was on its heels. Forcing the Mountaineers to go to the air to cut the deficit, the Tarboro defense smelled blood and it was junior cornerback Nathan Sherrod who stepped up, intercepting a Mitchell pass and returning the ball across midfield. The Mitchell defense held, though, stopping Tarboro on fourth down and taking possession as the game entered the fourth quarter.

Just as Mitchell was poised to move the chains, Tarboro's Omarion Lewis, the team's starting quarterback on offense and safety on defense, intercepted a pass and returned it to the Mitchell thirty-yard line. From that, it was a race to all zeroes on the clock with the Vikings adding another Joyner touchdown for the final score of the day.

MVP – Tarboro #24 Tobias Joyner

Tarboro MOP Offense - #10 Trevon White

Tarboro MOP Defense - #3 Treheem Daniels

Mitchell MOP Offense - #2 Ty Turbyfill

Mitchell MOP Defense - #32 Enrique Huaroco 

1A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, December 11, 2021 - 12:00 p.m.

Kenan Stadium - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC

#1 Tarboro Vikings (13-1) vs. #3 Mitchell Mountaineers (13-2)

TV: WRDC (My28) RDU; ELOS (My40) Asheville; EYDO (Bounce TV) New Bern; WMYV (My48) Triad

Tarboro in State Championships: 11 appearances (7-4, .636); Won 2020-21; 2018, 2017, 2011, 2010, 2009, 1994

Mitchell in State Championships: 1 Appearance (0-1, .000); Lost to Wallace-Rose Hill 48-28 (1AA 2015)

2A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, December 11, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.

Carter-Finley Stadium - NC State University - Raleigh, NC

#10 Wallace-Rose Hill Bulldogs (13-2) vs. #1 Shelby Golden Lions (14-1)

TV: WRDC (My28) RDU; WCCB (CW) Charlotte; EYDO (Bounce TV) New Bern; ELOS (My40) Asheville; WMYV (My48) Triad

WRH in SCG: 10 appearances (7-3, .700); Won in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2004, 2003, 1996, 1994

Shelby in SCG: 15 appearances (11-4, .733) Won in 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2005, 1998, 1987, 1986

3A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday, December 10, 2021 - 7:00 p.m.

Kenan Stadium - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, NC

#6 J.H. Rose Rampants (11-4) vs. #3 Dudley Panthers (14-1)

TV: WMYV (My48) Triad; EYDO (BounceTV) New Bern; WRDC (My28) RDU; ELOS (My40) Asheville

JHR in State Championships: 7 appearances (5-2, .714); Won in 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 1975

Dudley in State Championships: 6 appearances (4-2, .667); Won in 2016, 2013, 2008, 2007

4A FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday, December 11, 2021 - 7:00 p.m.

Carter-Finley Stadium - NC State University - Raleigh, NC

#6 Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders (13-2) vs. #10 Julius Chambers Cougars (14-1)

TV: WRDC (My28) RDU; WCCB (CW) Charlotte; ELOS (My40) Asheville; WMYV (My48) Triad; WYDO (Fox) New Bern

Cardinal Gibbons in State Championships: 2 appearances (0-2, .000); Lost in 2019 (4A) & 2020-21 (4A)

Chambers in State Championships: 3 appearances (2-1, .667) Won in 2020-21, 2019 (then named Vance HS)

FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME NOTES

As far back as NCHSAA Playoff Bracket Records go (1972) this year marks the first time that there has not been at least one unbeaten team in the State Championship Games.

The last time there were no unbeaten State Champions in the NCHSAA was in 2000. The lone unbeaten team to reach the State Championship Games that year was 4A South View, which fell to Independence 24-19 beginning the Patriots' unprecedented run of 7-straight State Championships.

Prior to 2000, the only other time in NCHSAA Playoff Bracket Records (1972) that there was not an unbeaten State Champion in NCHSAA play was in 1991 when the lone unbeaten to reach the State Championships was 4A West Charlotte which fell to South View 10-7.

Programs participating in this weekend’s State Championship Games have combined for 36 State Championships. The programs have posted a combined all-time (since 1972) playoff record of 468-185 (.717) in NCHSAA competition.

The 2A Championship Game features the two winningest programs in this weekend’s finals. Shelby and Wallace-Rose Hill have combined for 18 State Championships in NCHSAA play and have a combined 196 wins against just 55 losses in the playoffs since 1972.

Tarboro and Chambers are tied for the most consecutive State Championship appearances. This marks the fourth straight year for both schools reaching the State Championship Game.

Shelby has the most prolific passing attack of the teams remaining in this year’s State Finals. The Golden Lions have passed for 3759 yards this season on 232-364 attempts with 47 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions.

Wallace-Rose Hill has the most rushing yards of any team remaining this weekend. The Bulldogs have run for 6679 yards this season on 578 attempts with 92 touchdowns. They are averaging 445.3 yards per game on the ground and will finish the season with the most rushing yards in a season for any NCHSAA program.

Kanye Roberts from Wallace-Rose Hill leads the NCHSAA in rushing yards this season piling up 3250 yards on 260 carries. He is averaging 216.7 yards per game and has 53 touchdowns on the year. He currently sits 12th on the All-Time NCHSAA single-season rushing list and needs just 60 yards in the SCG to pass Elijah Hood (Charlotte Catholic) and Quan Warley (Thomasville) for 10th and 11th all-time respectively.

2021 NCHSAA 1A FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND
PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Tarboro (9-1), BYE

#16 Southeast Halifax (4-6) vs. #17 Weldon (3-4)

#8 Perquimans (6-2) vs. #25 Northwest Halifax (2-6)

#9 Riverside-Martin (5-3) vs. #24 Chatham Central (1-7)

#5 Rosewood (5-2), BYE

#12 North Edgecombe (5-5) vs. #21 East Columbus (3-5)

#13 Pamlico County (3-6) vs. #20 Warren County (3-6)

#4 Northampton County (8-2), BYE

#3 North Moore (9-1), BYE

#14 Gates County (3-4) vs. #19 North Duplin (3-6)

#6 Pender (6-3) vs. #27 Lejeune (0-10)

#11 West Columbus (4-5) vs. #22 Bertie (1-6)

#7 Southside (9-1) vs. #26 South Creek (0-10)

#10 KIPP Pride (5-3) vs. #23 Jones Senior (2-7)

#15 Hobbton (4-6) vs. #18 Lakewood (4-6)

#2 Northside-Pinetown (9-1), BYE

WEST

#1 Eastern Randolph (9-0), BYE

#16 Draughn (5-5) vs. #17 Elkin (3-6)

#8 Mountain Heritage (7-2) vs. #25 Albemarle (2-7)

#9 Murphy (6-4) vs. #24 Alleghany (2-7)

#5 Thomas Jefferson (6-3) vs. #28 Avery County (1-9)

#12 North Rowan (6-3) vs. #21 Bessemer City (2-8)

#13 Cherokee (5-4) vs. #20 Cherryville (3-7)

#4 Robbinsville (6-3) vs. #29 Winston-Salem Prep (1-8)

#3 Mitchell (8-2) vs. #30 South Davidson (1-8)

#14 Swain County (4-5) vs. #19 Hayesville (3-7)

#6 Thomasville (7-2) vs. #27 Highland Tech (0-9)

#11 South Stokes (5-4) vs. #22 Christ the King (3-7)

#7 Starmount (6-4) vs. #26 South Stanly (2-7)

#10 Andrews (6-3) vs. #23 Bishop McGuinness (2-7)

#15 East Wilkes (4-6) vs. #18 North Stokes (4-6)

#2 Mount Airy (10-0) vs. #31 Union Academy (0-10)

2021 NCHSAA 2A FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND
PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Princeton (9-0) vs. #32 Bunn (3-7)

#16 Eastern Wayne (8-2) vs. #17 Kinston (7-3)

#8 Nash Central (5-5) vs. #25 Southwest Onslow (2-7)

#9 South Granville (4-6) vs. #24 Midway (6-4)

#5 St. Pauls (8-0) vs. #28 Goldsboro (4-6)

#12 Roanoke Rapids (6-4) vs. #21 Bartlett Yancey (6-3)

#13 James Kenan (5-3) vs. #20 East Bladen (4-6)

#4 Whiteville (9-0) vs. #29 Camden County (4-6)

#3 Northeastern (9-0) vs. #30 East Carteret (4-5)

#14 John A. Holmes (7-2) vs. #19 North Pitt (7-3)

#6 Cummings (8-1-1) vs. #27 Greene Central (4-6)

#11 Washington (9-0) vs. #22 South Columbus (3-4)

#7 West Craven (5-3) vs. #26 North Lenoir (4-5)

#10 Wallace-Rose Hill (8-2) vs. #23 SouthWest Edgecombe
(3-6)

#15 Clinton (7-2) vs. #18 Hertford County (7-3)

#2 East Duplin (9-1) vs. #31 West Bladen (3-5)

WEST

#1 Shelby (9-1) vs. #32 Owen (4-6)

#16 Southwestern Randolph (8-2) vs. #17 Polk County (6-3)

#8 Providence Grove (8-2) vs. #25 Forest Hills (6-4)

#9 Community School of Davidson (8-2) vs. #24 East Gaston
(6-4)

#5 Hendersonville (8-1) vs. #28 West Stanly (3-5)

#12 Burns (7-3) vs. #21 McMichael (7-3)

#13 Chase (9-1) vs. #20 Pine Lake Prep (6-3)

#4 Reidsville (9-0) vs. #29 Randleman (4-6)

#3 Maiden (10-0) vs. #30 Mount Pleasant (6-4)

#14 West Lincoln (8-2) vs. #19 Surry Central (6-4)

#6 Salisbury (9-0) vs. #27 North Forsyth (5-5)

#11 Bunker Hill (9-1) vs. #22 East Davidson (6-4)

#7 Monroe (6-1) vs. #26 Lincolnton (4-6)

#10 J.M. Robinson (9-1) vs. #23 West Stokes (5-4)

#15 Forbush (7-3) vs. #18 North Surry (5-4)

#2 East Surry (9-0) vs. #31 Newton-Conover (3-6)

2021 NCHSAA 3A FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND
PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Eastern Alamance (7-1) vs. #32 East Wake (3-7)

#16 Havelock (6-3) vs. #17 Rocky Mount (5-5)

#8 Westover (8-1) vs. #25 Vance County (7-2)

#9 North Brunswick (6-4) vs. #24 South Brunswick (6-4)

#5 Lee County (7-3) vs. #28 West Johnston (5-5)

#12 Southern Nash (8-1) vs. #21 White Oak (8-2)

#13 Jacksonville (7-2) vs. #20 Western Alamance (4-5-1)

#4 Hunt (8-2) vs. #29 Franklinton (4-6)

#3 Seventy-First (10-0) vs. #30 West Brunswick (3-6)

#14 Fike (7-2) vs. #19 Williams (6-4)

#6 J.H. Rose (6-4) vs. #27 Croatan (4-6)

#11 Currituck County (5-5) vs. #22 Terry Sanford (6-3)

#7 West Carteret (7-2) vs. #26 Cape Fear (6-3)

#10 Southern Durham (6-4) vs. #23 Scotland County (5-4)

#15 Smithfield-Selma (7-3) vs. #18 South Johnston (8-2)

#2 Northern Nash (9-1) vs. #31 Northwood (4-5)

WEST

#1 Pisgah (9-1) vs. #32 Southern Guilford (4-6)

#16 South Point (7-3) vs. #17 Eastern Guilford (7-2)

#8 Erwin (6-4) vs. #25 Forestview (5-5)

#9 Parkwood (5-2) vs. #24 Rockingham County (5-4)

#5 North Davidson (6-3) vs. #28 West Henderson (3-7)

#12 Smoky Mountain (7-2) vs. #21 Hickory (6-4)

#13 North Lincoln (8-2) vs. #20 West Rowan (6-3)

#4 Crest (7-2) vs. #29 Jesse Carson (4-5)

#3 Dudley (9-1) vs. #30 North Henderson (4-6)

#14 Ledford (7-3) vs. #19 Central Davidson (7-2)

#6 West Charlotte (6-3) vs. #27 Stuart Cramer (5-5)

#11 Kings Mountain (8-2) vs. #22 Franklin (6-4)

#7 Hibriten (6-3) vs. #26 Freedom (5-4)

#10 Concord (6-3) vs. #23 Tuscola (6-4)

#15 Oak Grove (7-2) vs. #18 East Lincoln (7-3)

#2 Statesville (9-0) vs. #31 Enka (4-6)

2021 NCHSAA 4A FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND
PAIRINGS

EAST

#1 Richmond County (9-1) vs. #32 Jack Britt (4-5)

#16 Leesville Road (7-2) vs. #17 Holly Springs (7-3)

#8 Middle Creek (8-2) vs. #25 Knightdale (4-5)

#9 Pine Forest (9-1) vs. #24 Jordan (4-4)

#5 Hillside (7-2) vs. #28 D.H. Conley (4-6)

#12 Millbrook (9-1) vs. #21 Garner (4-4)

#13 Pinecrest (8-2) vs. #20 Rolesville (5-5)

#4 New Bern (9-1) vs. #29 Wakefield (4-6)

#3 Cleveland (9-0) vs. #30 Chapel Hill (7-3)

#14 Fuquay-Varina (7-3) vs. #19 Laney (8-2)

#6 Cardinal Gibbons (8-2) vs. #27 New Hanover (5-5)

#11 Heritage (9-1) vs. #22 Clayton (5-5)

#7 Hoggard (9-1) vs. #26 Corinth Holders (4-5)

#10 South View (8-2) vs. #23 Sanderson (5-3)

#15 Southern Alamance (8-2) vs. #18 Panther Creek (7-3)

#2 Wake Forest (7-3) vs. #31 Hoke County (4-6)

WEST

#1 Hough (10-0) vs. #32 Page (4-6)

#16 South Mecklenburg (8-2) vs. #17 West Forsyth (5-4)

#8 Butler (7-2) vs. #25 Mallard Creek (4-4)

#9 Asheville (8-2) vs. #24 Davie (6-4)

#5 Glenn (7-2) vs. #28 Providence (6-4)

#12 Myers Park (7-3) vs. #21 Mooresville (6-4)

#13 East Forsyth (8-1) vs. #21 Southeast Guilford (7-3)

#4 Ardrey Kell (7-2) vs. #29 Northwest Guilford (5-5)

#3 Weddington (9-1) vs. #30 North Mecklenburg (5-4)

#14 Marvin Ridge (7-2) vs. #19 Charlotte Catholic (7-2)

#6 Watauga (8-2) vs. #27 Cuthbertson (4-6)

#11 Northern Guilford (9-1) vs. #22 Lake Norman (7-3)

#7 Hickory Ridge (8-2) vs. #26 A.C. Reynolds (7-3)

#10 Julius Chambers (9-1) vs. #23 South Caldwell (7-2)

#15 Reagan (7-3) vs. #18 Porter Ridge (6-2)

#2 Grimsley (10-0) vs. #31 Cox Mill (5-5)

Earlier this year, the NCHSAA released information for how all team playoffs will be bracketed using an RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) formula. The formula will be as follows for all sports:

RPI = (0.3 x WP) + (0.4 x OWP) + (0.3 x OOWP)

Winning Percentage (WP): Divide the number of wins by the
number of total games played. A tie is worth half a win. If a win in an
individual contest gives that contest a winning percentage of 1.00, a tie will
give that individual contest a winning percentage of .500 for both teams.

Opponents’ Winning Percentage (OWP): Average the winning
percentages of a team’s opponents. (Note: This is not calculated via the
opponents' combined record, instead of by averaging each winning percentage of
the opponents.) All games involving the team whose RPI is being calculated are
ignored in this process.

Opponents’ Opponents Winning Percentage (OOWP): The same
process as described above, except calculated for the opponents of a team’s
opponents.

The final RPI has been released and is listed below.