Thanksgiving week delivered a feast of football drama as North Carolina’s high school playoff field was trimmed to the Elite Eight across most classifications. From razor-thin finishes to statement wins, the fourth round and regional championships brought the kind of tension that defines late-November football.

1A: Robbinsville, Wilson Prep Punch Tickets to Chapel Hill

The 1A state championship matchup is officially set.

In the East, Wilson Prep rolled past Northside-Pinetown 50-22 to claim the regional title. The Tigers have scored at least 50 points in back-to-back playoff games, and their offense continued to dictate the tempo throughout the night.

In the West, Robbinsville defeated South Davidson 41-7, extending a postseason run that has included strong defensive efforts and consistent offensive balance.

State Championship:

Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville, Dec. 11

8A: Millbrook Edges Hoggard; Hough Shuts Out West Charlotte

The 8A playoffs produced one of the week’s biggest results as Millbrook went on the road and beat Hoggard 14-7 to win the East Regional. Millbrook held Hoggard to a single score, leaning on a disciplined defensive performance and timely offense.

In the West, Hough blanked West Charlotte 24-0, continuing a defensive surge that has defined its playoff run. The Huskies have allowed seventeen total points across their three playoff games.

State Championship:

Millbrook vs. Hough, Dec. 11

2A: Murphy Advances; Starmount Rolls; Tarboro and Warren County Set Up East Clash

In the West, Murphy survived a high-scoring matchup to reach the regional final, while Starmount defeated Mitchell 58-22 to advance.

In the East, Tarboro extended its dominant playoff run with a 54-7 win over East Bladen, and Warren County handled Holmes 40-14.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Tarboro vs. Warren County

West: Murphy vs. Starmount

3A: Lincolnton Stays Hot; Shelby Survives; East Final Set

Lincolnton continued its postseason surge with a 55-20 win over West Davidson. The Wolves’ offense once again set the tone after knocking out top-seeded Mountain Heritage a week earlier.

They’ll face Shelby, which earned a 43-41 win over Eastern Randolph in one of the week’s closest games.

In the East, James Kenan defeated Farmville Central 51-32, and Kinston edged Northeastern 27-24, setting up a high-stakes regional final.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: James Kenan vs. Kinston

West: Lincolnton vs. Shelby

4A: One-Point Thriller in the West; Reidsville and West Craven Roll in the East

The West produced one of the weekend’s tightest finishes as Maiden escaped Hibriten 29-28 to advance. They’ll meet Brevard, which defeated Pisgah 49-28.

In the East, Reidsville continued its strong playoff push with a 53-20 win over Central Davidson, while West Craven moved past SouthWest Edgecombe 40-12.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Reidsville vs. West Craven

West: Brevard vs. Maiden

5A: Hunt Holds Off Croatan; Crest Ousts Top Seed; Hickory Advances

Hunt won one of the week’s closest games, beating Croatan 32-29 to reach the East Regional Final. They’ll meet Northside-Jacksonville, which defeated Rocky Mount 21-6.

In the West, Crest earned a 28-14 win over top-seeded South Point, while Hickory advanced with a 36-29 victory against Jay M. Robinson.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Hunt vs. Northside-Jacksonville

West: Crest vs. Hickory

6A: Close Calls in the West; Jacksonville and Middle Creek Move On in the East

The West semifinals brought drama as Watauga edged Sun Valley 31-28, while Northern Guilford defeated Ashbrook 39-14 to move into the regional final.

In the East, Jacksonville defeated Union Pines 34-7, and Middle Creek earned a 31-24 win over Northern Nash.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Jacksonville vs. Middle Creek

West: Watauga vs. Northern Guilford

7A: Cardinal Gibbons Edges Garner; Clayton Advances; Grimsley and Weddington Control the West

Cardinal Gibbons earned a hard-fought 16-14 win over Garner to reach the East Regional Final. They’ll play Clayton, which defeated Southeast Raleigh 35-21.

In the West, Grimsley beat Reagan 24-7, and Weddington topped Independence 21-6 to set up a powerhouse regional matchup.

Regional Finals (Dec. 5):

East: Cardinal Gibbons vs. Clayton

West: Grimsley vs. Weddington

GAMES TO WATCH (Dec. 5 Regional Championships)

Marquee Matchups

Tarboro vs. Warren County (2A East) - Both coming off big wins

Grimsley vs. Weddington (7A West) - Two heavyweights with dominant defenses

Reidsville vs. West Craven (4A East) - Tradition-rich showdown

Teams on Cinderella Runs

Lincolnton (3A West) - Two straight playoff upsets sets up match #8 Wolves and #10 Golden Lions

Kinston (3A East) - Can the #14 Vikings take down #1 James Kenan?

Potential Toss-Ups

Maiden vs. Brevard (4A West) - After Maiden’s one-point escape, another tight finish is possible in this “Battle of the Blue Devils”

Hunt vs. Northside-Jacksonville (5A East) - Both coming off strong defensive performances

High-Intrigue Games

Murphy vs. Starmount (2A West) - A contrast in tempos

Cardinal Gibbons vs. Clayton (7A East) - Clayton looking to knock off another big-name program

By the Numbers

Closest Games: Cardinal Gibbons 16-14 over Garner; Maiden 29-28 over Hibriten

Largest Margin: Lincolnton 55-20 over West Davidson

Shutouts: Hough 24-0 over West Charlotte

ELON – Landen Clark accounted for six touchdowns and Elon finished its 2025 season at .500 with a 55-17 victory over North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium. The Phoenix improved to 6-6 overall and 4-4 in the CAA while the Aggies fell to 2-10 and 2-6.

Clark threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards and two more scores. His second rushing touchdown broke Elon's single-season record with 11, surpassing the mark previously shared by John Taylor in 2004 and Jalen Hampton in 2022. The redshirt freshman capped his record-breaking performance with an 86-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Elon's offense produced 468 total yards and scored on eight of its first nine possessions. The defense forced three turnovers, recorded nine sacks and registered 13 tackles for loss.

The Phoenix needed just six seconds to take the lead on their opening drive. DJ James-Hamilton returned the opening kickoff 66 yards to the North Carolina A&T 29-yard line, and Clark connected with Landyn Backey on a 29-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 advantage.

Elon extended its lead to 14-0 when Clark scored on a two-yard run with 11:21 remaining in the first quarter. The drive covered 16 yards in four plays after Hart III recovered a fumble at the A&T 16-yard line. Luke Barnes added a 27-yard field goal at the 4:00 mark, capping a 12-play, 43-yard drive that consumed more than five minutes.

North Carolina A&T got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Andrew Brown connected on a 34-yard field goal, finishing a seven-play, 62-yard drive. The Aggies cut the deficit to 3-17 at the 14:56 mark.

Clark and the Phoenix offense responded immediately. On the second play of Elon's ensuing possession, Clark hit Isaiah Fuhrmann in stride for a 76-yard touchdown pass. The score came at 13:50 and extended the lead to 24-3.

The Aggies answered with their lone touchdown of the first half. Nelson Layne connected with Michael Carlock-Williams on a 29-yard scoring strike, finishing an eight-play, 88-yard drive at the 4:26 mark. The touchdown brought North Carolina A&T within 10-24.

Elon closed the half with 10 unanswered points. Barnes added his second field goal of the game, a 27-yarder at 1:07, and Dan Frederick scored on a 19-yard run with 52 seconds remaining. The Phoenix took a 34-10 lead into halftime after scoring on two-play drives covering 28 and 8 yards.

North Carolina A&T opened the second half with another scoring drive. Layne found Carlock-Williams again, this time for a 31-yard touchdown with 11:18 left in the third quarter. The two-play, 36-yard drive trimmed Elon's advantage to 17-34.

The Phoenix responded with a methodical 14-play, 70-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes. Clark capped the march with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Fuhrmann at 5:32, pushing the lead to 41-17.

Clark connected with Zimere Winston for a 54-yard touchdown with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter. The single-play scoring drive followed a failed fourth-down conversion by the Aggies and extended Elon's lead to 48-17.

Clark added his record-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter. On third-and-one from the Elon 14-yard line, he broke through the line and raced 86 yards to the end zone at 8:30. The three-play, 95-yard drive put the Phoenix ahead 55-17.

Fuhrmann finished with five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns, recording his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season. The sophomore ended the campaign with 46 catches for 907 yards and nine touchdowns.

Frederick rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, establishing a career high. It marked the first time since 2009 that two Elon players rushed for 100 yards in the same game, when Jamal Shuman and AJ Harris accomplished the feat against Presbyterian.

Backey caught three passes for 50 yards and one touchdown while Winston added one reception for 54 yards and a score.

The Elon defense held North Carolina A&T to 217 total yards. Kahmari Brown led the unit with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The sophomore is now tied for Elon's career sacks record with 16.5 after just 23 games.

Brodie Carroll recorded a team-high 10 tackles while Asher Cunningham added seven stops. Hart III registered an interception and fumble recovery while Jake Louro contributed two sacks.

Barnes finished 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and converted all seven extra point attempts. The junior improved to 11-for-11 on field goals from inside 40 yards this season.

Layne completed 11 of 20 passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for North Carolina A&T. He rushed 21 times for 33 yards but was sacked nine times for 78 yards in losses. Carlock-Williams caught two passes for 60 yards and both Aggies touchdowns.

North Carolina A&T managed just 57 net rushing yards on 35 attempts. The Aggies converted four of 14 third-down attempts and went 0-for-1 on fourth down.

Elon's 55 points were its most against a CAA opponent since joining the league in 2014 and matched its season high set against Davidson on September 6. The total tied for the Phoenix's highest output in a game since defeating Davidson 56-0 on September 5, 2009.

Top Performers

Landen Clark, Elon QB

- 10-of-24 passing, 231 yards, 4 TDs

- 14 rushes, 105 yards, 2 TDs

- Set single-season rushing TD record (11)

Isaiah Fuhrmann, Elon WR

- 5 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TDs

- Fourth 100-yard receiving game of season

Dan Frederick, Elon RB

- 17 rushes, 101 yards, 1 TD

- Career-high rushing yards

Kahmari Brown, Elon DL

- 8 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks

- 2 forced fumbles

- Tied school career sacks record (16.5)

Michael Carlock-Williams, N.C. A&T WR

- 2 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TDs

CHAPEL HILL – Duke scored the final eight points in the closing minutes Saturday to pull out a 32-25 victory over North Carolina at Kenan Stadium, moving to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play while dropping the Tar Heels to 4-7 and 2-5.

The Blue Devils trailed 25-24 with less than three minutes remaining before putting together a crucial 11-play, 68-yard drive that consumed over four minutes of clock. The march ended with Anderson Castle's third rushing touchdown of the game, a one-yard plunge with 2:18 left. Duke then converted a two-point attempt on a pass from Nate Sheppard to push the lead to seven points.

North Carolina got the ball back but managed just four plays that lost three yards total. Gio Lopez was sacked on consecutive plays and threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to seal Duke's victory.

Castle finished with 49 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, finding the end zone from one yard out three separate times. His scoring runs came in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7, in the third quarter to extend Duke's lead to 24-10, and his decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. Sheppard carried 22 times for 90 yards, including a 29-yard burst in the third quarter that set up Duke's second touchdown of that period.

Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 20 of 33 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown without an interception. His 14-yard scoring strike to Jeremiah Hasley in the second quarter gave Duke a 14-7 lead. Hasley led all receivers with seven catches for 85 yards, while Sahmir Hagans added three receptions for 30 yards and returned one kickoff for 40 yards.

Duke controlled possession for 36 minutes compared to North Carolina's 24 minutes and ran 76 offensive plays to the Tar Heels' 52. The Blue Devils converted six of 15 third-down attempts and an impressive five of six fourth-down tries, with the successful fourth-down conversions proving critical in sustaining drives.

North Carolina appeared poised to complete a comeback after Lopez connected with Jordan Shipp for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 4:52 left in the third quarter. The Tar Heels successfully converted a two-point attempt on a pass from Shipp to cut Duke's lead to 24-18.

The Tar Heels took their only lead of the game early in the fourth quarter when Davion Gause capped a nine-play, 91-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run at 13:13. The extra point gave North Carolina a 25-24 advantage.

Gause rushed eight times for 63 yards and added one reception for 16 yards, finishing with 79 all-purpose yards. Lopez completed 21 of 27 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown but was sacked three times for 19 yards in losses. He also rushed nine times for a net of 20 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yard score in the first quarter that gave North Carolina an early 7-0 lead.

Shipp caught eight passes for 83 yards and the touchdown while Kobe Paysour hauled in five receptions for 63 yards. However, North Carolina's offense stalled in critical moments, particularly on their final two possessions when they totaled negative 16 yards.

Duke built a 17-7 halftime lead after a 14-play, 71-yard drive that ate up nearly seven minutes of second-quarter clock. The Blue Devils faced multiple setbacks on the drive, including a holding penalty that created a first-and-20 situation, but they converted a third-and-24 with an 11-yard scramble by Mensah before settling for a 33-yard field goal by Todd Pelino.

North Carolina responded with an eight-play drive covering 44 yards in the final 2:26 of the half, with Rece Verhoff drilling a 49-yard field goal as time expired to cut the deficit to 17-10.

The third quarter featured explosive offensive plays from both teams. Duke opened the second half with an 11-play, 44-yard touchdown drive, aided by penalties and a successful fourth-down conversion. Castle scored from one yard out to make it 24-10 at 9:15.

North Carolina answered immediately with its best offensive series of the game. Lopez completed five of six passes on a 10-play, 75-yard march that covered just 4:23. His 20-yard touchdown pass to Shipp brought the Tar Heels within six points after the successful two-point conversion.

The Blue Devils' defense made crucial stops when needed, forcing three three-and-outs and recording five tackles for loss totaling 23 yards. Duke sacked Lopez three times for 19 yards, with Josiah Green, Aaron Hall, and Luke Mergott each recording sacks. The final sack by Mergott came with 1:24 remaining and helped preserve the victory.

North Carolina's defense recorded five tackles for loss totaling 26 yards and one sack. However, critical penalties hurt the Tar Heels throughout the game. They committed 12 penalties for 103 yards compared to Duke's three penalties for 27 yards. Three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the fourth quarter, including one after Duke's final touchdown and another after a kickoff, exemplified the undisciplined play that hampered North Carolina's comeback attempt.

Duke's offensive balance proved effective, with 177 rushing yards on 43 attempts and 175 passing yards. The Blue Devils averaged 4.6 yards per play compared to North Carolina's 5.9, but their ability to sustain drives and convert in crucial situations made the difference.

The victory secures bowl eligibility for Duke at 6-5 with one regular-season game remaining. North Carolina's loss eliminates the Tar Heels from bowl contention at 4-7, ensuring a losing season regardless of the outcome in their final game.

Top Performers

Duke:

1. Anderson Castle: 13 rushes, 49 yards, 3 TDs
2. Jeremiah Hasley: 7 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
3. Nate Sheppard: 22 rushes, 90 yards
4. Darian Mensah: 20-of-33, 175 yards, 1 TD passing; 3 rushes, 27 yards

North Carolina:

• Gio Lopez: 21-of-27, 204 yards, 1 TD passing; 9 rushes, 20 yards, 1 TD
• Jordan Shipp: 8 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
• Davion Gause: 8 rushes, 63 yards, 1 TD
• Kobe Paysour: 5 receptions, 63 yards

BOONE – App State kicker Dominic De Freitas connected on a 23-yard field goal with 2:02 remaining to lift the Mountaineers past Marshall 26-24 on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

The victory improved App State to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play, while Marshall fell to 5-6 and 3-4. The game featured five lead changes and came down to a frantic final quarter that saw both teams commit costly turnovers.

App State's winning drive covered 35 yards in eight plays over 3:31, capitalizing on a Marshall fumble deep in Herd territory. Running back Jaquari Lewis carried the ball 33 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Mountaineers' ground attack.

Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accounted for two rushing touchdowns and threw for 146 yards, while running back Joshon Barbie added 102 yards and a score on 10 carries. Despite outgaining App State 438-276 in total offense, the Herd could not overcome two lost fumbles in the fourth quarter.

The game turned in the fourth quarter after Marshall had taken a 24-23 lead on Lorcan Quinn's 25-yard field goal with 5:29 left in the third quarter. The Herd appeared poised to extend their advantage when they drove from their own 1-yard line to the App State 40 in a seven-play drive that consumed more than three minutes. But running back Michael Allen fumbled at the App State 42, and Colton Phares recovered for the Mountaineers at the 39 with 5:33 remaining.

App State methodically moved into field goal range, with Lewis gaining 13 yards on first down to the Marshall 9. After three more plays, De Freitas came on for the game-winning kick, his second successful field goal of the afternoon.

Marshall had one final chance after receiving the kickoff at their own 25 with 2:02 to play. The Herd moved the ball to the App State 39 before Allen fumbled again with less than a minute remaining, effectively ending Marshall's comeback hopes.

The first half belonged to Marshall's offense, particularly Del Rio-Wilson. After App State took a 3-0 lead on De Freitas's 32-yard field goal, Marshall answered with an eight-play, 41-yard touchdown drive capped by Barbie's 5-yard run.

App State regained the lead early in the second quarter when Lewis scored from 18 yards out to make it 9-7, but Marshall responded with two quick touchdowns. Del Rio-Wilson rushed for scores of 16 and 4 yards on consecutive possessions, giving the Herd a 21-9 advantage with 8:14 left in the half.

The Mountaineers cut into the deficit before halftime with a 75-yard drive that ended with J.J. Kohl's 19-yard touchdown pass to David Larkins with 53 seconds remaining. The score pulled App State within 21-16 at the break.

App State seized momentum to start the third quarter with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 5:33. Lewis capped the march with a 5-yard run, giving the Mountaineers their first lead since the opening quarter at 23-21.

Marshall's response came on a nine-play, 64-yard drive that stalled at the App State 7, forcing Quinn's field goal attempt. The successful kick put Marshall ahead 24-23, setting up the tense fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Demarcus Lacey led all receivers with 12 catches for 134 yards, consistently moving the chains for Marshall. Del Rio-Wilson completed 13 of 21 passes for his 146 yards, while backup Zion Turner added 54 yards on 8-of-9 passing.

For App State, Kohl finished 19-of-27 for 134 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Sam Mbake caught seven passes for 39 yards, while Lewis added five receptions for 39 yards to complement his rushing performance.

Marshall's defense registered two sacks and five tackles for loss, led by linebacker Jayland Parker's 15 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks totaling 24 yards. App State's defense forced three turnovers, including the crucial fourth-quarter fumble recoveries, and recorded two sacks.

The statistics told a stark story: Marshall converted just 5 of 12 third-down attempts and averaged 6.3 yards per play compared to App State's 3.9. Marshall possessed the ball for 30:09 to App State's 29:51. But the Mountaineers scored three points off turnovers while Marshall managed none, proving decisive in the close contest.

Marshall's offensive balance was evident with 238 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, but the team went 0-for-2 in the red zone with field goal attempts, including a blocked kick in the fourth quarter. App State converted all five red zone opportunities into scores, including three touchdowns and two field goals.

The loss marked Marshall's third defeat in conference play and fourth in their last six games overall. App State snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory.

Top Performers:

• Jaquari Lewis (App State): 33 carries, 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 5 receptions, 39 yards
• Joshon Barbie (Marshall): 10 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD
• Demarcus Lacey (Marshall): 12 receptions, 134 yards
• Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Marshall): 13-of-21 passing, 146 yards; 14 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs
• Jayland Parker (Marshall): 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL

WINGATE – Benedict pulled off one of the most improbable finishes in NCAA Division 2 playoff history, stunning 16th-ranked Wingate 25-24 on a miraculous 86-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining Saturday at Irwin Belk Stadium.

With the ball at their own 14-yard line and the clock showing only three seconds remaining, quarterback Jackson Jensen threw a desperation pass to Tre Simmons. What happened next defied belief. Simmons caught the ball near the 20-yard line, then threw a lateral all the way back across the field to Malik Mullins, who raced down the sideline untouched for the game-winning score as time expired.

The stunning victory capped a furious fourth-quarter rally by the 23rd-ranked Tigers, who overcame a 24-0 third-quarter deficit to advance in the Division 2 playoffs. Benedict improved to 10-2 while Wingate's season ended at 9-3, snapping the Bulldogs' six-game winning streak.

The comeback seemed unlikely after Wingate's Omar Ba intercepted Jensen's pass and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown with 14:46 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 24-0 advantage. Benedict had managed just 118 total yards to that point and trailed by three scores midway through the third quarter.

But the Tigers' defense stiffened considerably after that score. Benedict forced three consecutive three-and-out possessions and benefited from crucial Wingate mistakes that shifted momentum. The Tigers held Wingate to just 139 total yards and no points over the final 28 minutes of game action.

Benedict finally broke through late in the third quarter when Jensen directed a six-play, 27-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Malaqhi Jones with 1:03 remaining in the period. Logan Karwacki's extra point made it 24-7, giving the Tigers their first points after falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Benedict's defense and special teams. Isaiah Isidore provided the spark with 10:05 remaining when he blocked a 21-yard field goal attempt by Caleb Bonesteel and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. The failed extra point left Benedict trailing 24-13, but the Tigers had seized momentum.

Benedict's offense took over at its own 50-yard line after a Kolten Ford punt with 5:59 remaining and methodically moved downfield. Triston Morgan carried five times for 33 yards on the drive, including a critical 27-yard run to the Wingate 21 that gave Benedict first-and-10 deep in Bulldogs territory.

Jensen completed the march with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Charle Simmons with 3:36 remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Benedict trailing 24-19 and needing to get the ball back with little time remaining.

Wingate tried to run out the clock but could only manage 22 yards on six plays before punting back to Benedict with 19 seconds left. The Tigers took over at their own 14-yard line with one final chance.

Jensen's first three passes fell incomplete, all intended for Troy Hillman. Facing fourth-and-10 with the season on the line and the clock at zero, Jensen dropped back one final time. The improbable lateral play that followed sent the Benedict sideline into celebration and silenced the Wingate home crowd who .

Jensen finished 11-of-29 passing for 158 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 33 yards rushing on seven carries. Mullins caught four passes for 126 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Morgan led Benedict's ground game with 50 yards on 12 carries.

Wingate quarterback Elijah Holmes completed 14 of 32 passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Freshman receiver Jaylen Himes caught four passes for 138 yards and both of Holmes' touchdown passes, scoring on connections of 25 and 34 yards in the first quarter that staked the Bulldogs to their early lead.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half, taking a 17-0 lead into the break. Holmes connected with Himes for touchdown passes on back-to-back drives in the opening quarter. The first score came on a four-play, 68-yard drive capped by the 25-yard connection at 11:56 of the first quarter. The second touchdown came less than five minutes later when Holmes found Himes again, this time for 34 yards to complete a six-play, 63-yard march.

Bonesteel added a 26-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the first quarter to extend Wingate's advantage to 17-0. The Bulldogs reached the red zone four times but managed just one field goal from those trips, a crucial shortcoming that proved decisive.

Benedict's defense recorded four sacks and limited Wingate to 3-of-14 on third-down conversions. Isaiah Stephens led the Tigers with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Israe Nwokocha added seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack, plus the blocked field goal return for touchdown that sparked the comeback.

The loss ended Wingate's seventh playoff appearance in school history and sixth in the last eight years. The Bulldogs had won at least eight games in nine consecutive seasons and were appearing in their fifth home playoff game.

Benedict advances to face Albany State, the region’s top seed, in the second round of the Division 2 playoffs. The Tigers are making their third playoff appearance in the last four years and earned their second road playoff victory after previously winning at Wingate in 1998 in the teams' first meeting. Wingate had defeated Benedict 23-6 in the second round of the 2022 playoffs before advancing to the national quarterfinals.

The dramatic finish will be remembered as one of the wildest endings in recent playoff history, a fitting conclusion to a game that seemed decided until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

CHARLOTTE – Frostburg State used a powerful ground attack and a persistent defensive effort to defeat Johnson C. Smith, 21-7, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Championship. Playing in JCSU’s first-ever home playoff game, the Bobcats controlled the line of scrimmage, accumulating 496 total yards compared to the Golden Bulls’ 282 total yards.

Frostburg State, the Mountain East co-champions, established a clear advantage in first downs, totaling 20 to Johnson C. Smith’s 15. This was largely fueled by their success on the ground, where the Bobcats secured 10 first downs rushing against only 3 for JCSU. The Bobcats also proved far more efficient on third down, converting on 5 of 13 attempts, while the Golden Bulls managed only 1 of 10.

Ground Game and Early Leads

The Bobcats' victory was anchored by running back KJ Smothers, who accounted for all three Frostburg State touchdowns. Smothers carried the ball 16 times for 115 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter that put the Bobcats on the board, following a Marquise Allsup interception.

First Quarter: Frostburg State took a 7-0 lead on Smothers’ long run at the 00:40 mark, which was quickly followed by a successful extra point from B. Keen. This drive was set up by a 48-yard punt return by Austin Paul-Umstead to the JCSU 32-yard line.

Second Quarter: Smothers scored again early in the second quarter on a 2-yard plunge, extending the lead to 14-0. The drive included a 40-yard completion from quarterback Jordan Brooks to Ray Adames.

Brooks finished the game 9-for-23 for 179 yards with one interception. Wide receiver Cruiz Paul-Umstead was the leading receiver with 4 receptions for 92 yards. The Bobcats’ overall rushing attack finished with 188 yards on 41 attempts. Owen Doyle contributed 95 yards on 19 carries.

JCSU’s Passing and Frostburg State Defense

Johnson C. Smith relied heavily on their passing game and the receiving efforts of Deandre Proctor. Quarterback Kelvin Durham completed 18 of 28 passes for 219 yards, but he was intercepted twice, once by Wylan Harich in the first quarter and once by Marquise Allsup. JCSU rushed for only 36 total yards on 27 attempts, with Bobby Smith leading the team with 42 yards.

Proctor was a key target for the Golden Bulls, catching 14 passes for 139 yards. His long catch of 33 yards set up JCSU’s only scoring drive. The Golden Bulls’ longest offensive play was a 41-yard pass from Durham to Isaiah Perry in the fourth quarter.

The Johnson C. Smith defense managed to force a turnover on downs at the end of the second quarter, stopping a Bobcats drive at the JCSU 39-yard line. They also successfully pressured Jordan Brooks, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss.

The Second Half

Johnson C. Smith found the end zone midway through the third quarter after a long drive. Starting from their own 20-yard line, the Golden Bulls moved the ball downfield, with Durham connecting with Proctor for a 33-yard gain. The drive culminated in the team’s only touchdown, a 7-yard touchdown reception by Deandre Proctor from Kelvin Durham with 4:04 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 14-7.

The Frostburg State defense responded in the fourth quarter, forcing a critical turnover by recovering a fumble on a Bobby Smith rush at the Bobcats’ 29-yard line, which was forced by Christian Taylor and recovered by Rainer Haveland. This came immediately after Durham’s 41-yard pass to Isaiah Perry had moved the Golden Bulls into scoring territory.

The Bobcats capitalized on the turnover, driving 71 yards to secure the win. KJ Smothers delivered his third and final touchdown of the day with a 5-yard run with 0:56 left in the game, bringing the final score to 21-7.

Linebacker Christian Taylor was a force for the Bobcats, recording 8 total tackles (7 solo) and a game-high 4 sacks for a loss. Josh McTier led the Frostburg State defense with 10 total tackles (9 solo). For Johnson C. Smith, Vincent Hill led the team with 9 total tackles (8 solo).

Looking Forward

Despite the outcome of their first-round playoff game, Johnson C. Smith concludes its 2025 campaign with a 10-2 record, marking the best season ever for the Golden Bulls football program. The team secured a CIAA Championship and hosted its first home playoff contest, achievements that underscore a profound success in Charlotte. While the pursuit of a national title ends here, the foundation laid by this historic season, culminating with double-digit wins and a conference championship, serves as a clear signal of the program’s arrival on the national stage.

The North Carolina high school football playoffs delivered another weekend of drama, dominance, and down-to-the-wire finishes as teams battled for spots in the Elite Eight across all eight classifications. From one-point nail-biters to stunning blowouts, the third round showcased the best of Tar Heel State football.

1A: Robbinsville, Wilson Prep Roll to Regional Finals

In 1A, the favorites flexed their muscles as Robbinsville demolished East Columbus 54-7 to set up a West Regional showdown with South Davidson, who handled Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy 27-12. The Black Knights' suffocating defense and explosive offense have them looking like the team to beat.

In the East, Wilson Prep bounced back from their close second-round win to dominate KIPP Pride 42-16, while Northside Pinetown delivered a statement performance in a 43-6 thrashing of Bear Grass Charter. The regional final between Wilson Prep and Northside Pinetown promises to be a defensive battle between two of the East's stingiest units.

2A: Murphy and Starmount Roll

Murphy's remarkable season rolled on with perhaps their most impressive performance yet, a 62-20 dismantling of Community School of Davidson that wasn't as close as the final score indicates. The Bulldogs face Corvian Community next, who survived a physical 31-28 battle with East Wilkes.

On the other side of the West bracket, Starmount blanked South Stanly 35-0 in dominant fashion, setting up a fourth-round clash with Mitchell, who upset Mountain Island Charter 28-15.

In the East, top-seeded Tarboro continued their march with a 47-14 victory over Hobbton, while East Bladen's 38-21 win over Manteo kept their Cinderella story alive. The bracket's other half features Warren County, who controlled East Carteret 44-23, and Holmes, who edged North Duplin in a hard-fought 34-28 contest.

3A: Upset Alert in the West

The third round's biggest shock came in 3A West, where Lincolnton stunned top-seeded Mountain Heritage 37-36 in a game that came down to the final possession. The Wolves now face West Davidson, another surprise winner who knocked off North Stanly 23-21.

Elsewhere in the West, Shelby demolished Mount Airy 41-21 to stay on track, while Eastern Randolph handled Walkertown 30-14.

In the East, James Kenan put on an offensive clinic in a 54-26 victory over Ayden-Grifton, while Farmville Central grinded out a 28-20 win over Martin County. The top half of the bracket features Northeastern, who dominated Pender 52-34, and Kinston, who dispatched Pasquotank County 34-20.

4A: Photo Finishes and Defensive Battles

In 4A East, top-seeded Reidsville weathered a stern test from Eastern Wayne, prevailing 41-24, while Central Davidson's 40-22 win over North Pitt sets up a marquee matchup between the two powerhouses. West Craven and SouthWest Edgecombe also advanced, with the latter surviving a 44-41 thriller over East Duplin.

The West bracket saw Brevard edge Burns 30-27 in a defensive slugfest, while Pisgah's 22-15 win over Mount Pleasant keeps their championship hopes alive. Hibriten held off Stuart W. Cramer 14-9, and Maiden cruised past Newton-Conover 29-6.

5A: Offensive Explosions Highlight Round Three

South Point put up video game numbers in a 61-42 shootout over Monroe, serving notice that their high-powered offense is ready for anyone. They'll face Crest, who dominated East Lincoln 31-14.

In the other West semifinal, Jay M. Robinson outlasted Oak Grove 41-33, setting up a date with Hickory, who rolled past Franklin 36-14.

The East bracket features Hunt, who handled Southern Nash 42-21, facing Croatan in what promises to be a defensive chess match after Croatan's heart-stopping 22-21 win over Havelock. Rocky Mount's 31-12 victory over Northeast Guilford sets up a clash with Northside-Jacksonville, who edged St. Pauls 28-21.

6A: One-Point Thrillers Steal the Show

The 6A East produced the weekend's most dramatic finish as Jacksonville survived a 35-34 nail-biter against Scotland. The Cardinals will need to recover quickly for a fourth-round battle with Union Pines, who upset Williams 17-7. The other East semifinal pits Northern Nash, victorious 19-14 over Seventy-First, against Middle Creek, who escaped Southern Alamance with a 31-30 squeaker.

In the West, Watauga's 27-19 win over Charlotte Catholic sets up a showdown with Sun Valley, who dominated Freedom 46-20 in the upset of the round. Northern Guilford destroyed Kings Mountain 37-7 and will face Ashbrook, who edged Dudley 15-7 in a defensive struggle.

7A: Favorites Flex Their Muscles

The 7A bracket saw the cream rise to the top as all four top seeds advanced in dominant fashion. Cardinal Gibbons rolled past Hillside 40-19, while Garner put up a stunning 63-26 demolition of Cape Fear that has the Trojans looking like legitimate title contenders.

Southeast Raleigh's 49-37 win over Cleveland and Clayton's 47-7 thrashing of D.H. Conley complete the East's Final Four.

In the West, Grimsley made a statement with a 55-12 blowout of Jack Britt, while Reagan survived a heart-stopper against Mooresville 32-31. Weddington cruised past Lake Norman 42-7, and Independence dominated Richmond Senior 52-18.

The Cardinal Gibbons-Garner matchup looms as the game of the weekend, pitting two explosive offenses against each other in what could be a shootout for the ages.

8A: Charlotte Metro Showdown Set

In the state's largest classification, Hoggard continued their dominant run with a 40-14 victory over Rolesville, setting up an East Regional final against Millbrook, who handled Jordan 27-10.

The West Regional will be an all-Charlotte affair as Hough dismantled West Forsyth 28-10 to earn a date with West Charlotte, who knocked off Myers Park 34-21 in a battle of Mecklenburg County powers.

Looking Ahead

This week's fourth-round matchups promise to deliver even more drama as teams battle for spots in regional championships. The 2A through 7A classifications will play their fourth round on Thanksgiving week, while 1A and 8A will crown regional champions who'll advance directly to the state finals.

With favorites falling, underdogs rising, and championship dreams on the line, the 2024 playoffs continue to deliver the drama that makes North Carolina high school football special.

Notable Stats: Biggest Blowout: Garner 63, Cape Fear 26 (37 points) Closest Games: Three one-point victories (Croatan, Reagan, West Davidson) Most Points: South Point (61) Shutout: Starmount 35, South Stanly 0

1A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Regional

Wilson Prep vs. Northside Pinetown

West Regional

Robbinsville vs. South Davidson

2A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Tarboro vs. #4 East Bladen

#2 Warren County vs. #6 Holmes

West

#1 Murphy vs. #5 Corvian Community

#2 Starmount vs. #11 Mitchell

3A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 James Kenan vs. #13 Farmville Central

#7 Northeastern vs. #14 Kinston

West

#8 Lincolnton vs. #12 West Davidson

#10 Shelby vs. #3 Eastern Randolph

4A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Reidsville vs. #4 Central Davidson

#2 West Craven vs. #11 SouthWest Edgecombe

West

#1 Brevard vs. #4 Pisgah

#2 Hibriten vs. #6 Maiden

5A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Hunt vs. #4 Croatan

#7 Rocky Mount vs. #3 Northside - Jacksonville

West

#1 South Point vs. #4 Crest

#2 Jay M. Robinson vs. #3 Hickory

6A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Jacksonville vs. #4 Union Pines

#2 Northern Nash vs. #3 Middle Creek

West

#1 Watauga vs. #5 Sun Valley

#2 Northern Guilford vs. #3 Ashbrook

7A FOURTH ROUND

East

#1 Cardinal Gibbons vs. #4 Garner

#3 Clayton#7 vs. Southeast Raleigh 

West

#1 Grimsley vs. #5 Reagan

#2 Weddington vs. #3 Independence

8A REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

East Regional

#1 Hoggard vs. #2 Millbrook

West Regional

#1 Hough vs. #2 West Charlotte