CHAPEL HILL – On a chilly December evening that began with rain but ended in celebration, the Grimsley Whirlies secured their second state championship in program history, defeating the Rolesville Rams 35-23 in the NCHSAA 4A title game. The victory marks a triumphant return to the pinnacle for Grimsley, who last claimed the crown during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.
Under the leadership of head coach Darryl Brown, the Whirlies (16-0) established their dominance early, building a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter and never relinquishing control, though Rolesville kept the outcome in doubt until the final period. The Whirlies' control was evident in the final statistics, as they accumulated 327 yards of total offense.
Game MVP Faizon Brandon directed the Whirlies' dynamic offense, striking quickly in the 46-degree weather at Kenan Stadium. Brandon, who finished an efficient 9-of-13 for 182 yards, connected with Khyan Battle for a 20-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter, setting the tone for what would become a masterful offensive performance.
The momentum continued to build as Battle, showcasing his versatility with 48 yards on punt returns, set up excellent field position. Offensive MOP Mitchell Summers, who proved to be a constant thorn in the Rams' side with 126 yards on 26 carries, needed just three plays to find the end zone, pushing the lead to 14-0.
Rolesville (14-2) refused to go quietly. The Rams' offense, which had struggled with ball control early, found its rhythm in the second quarter when quarterback Braden Atkinson connected with AJ Roberts on a spectacular 43-yard touchdown strike, breathing new life into their title hopes. Atkinson, who earned Rolesville's Offensive MOP honors, would finish with 298 yards passing and three touchdowns despite facing constant pressure.
The game's pivotal sequence came late in the second quarter. After Grimsley failed on a fourth-down attempt in their own territory, the defense immediately responded with an interception, swinging momentum back to the Whirlies. Summers capitalized moments later, breaking free for a 44-yard touchdown run that pushed the lead back to two scores.
The Rams showed their resilience, answering with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to Jack McHugh just before halftime, keeping the game within reach at 21-14. Rolesville's Defensive MOP Xavier Lewis led all tacklers with 12 stops, including a sack, helping keep his team within striking distance.
The third quarter became a defensive struggle, with both teams trading possessions until Rolesville's Riley Daniels connected on a 23-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 21-17. However, the fourth quarter belonged entirely to Grimsley, with Defensive MOP Bryce Davis leading a fierce pass rush that recorded three of the team's six sacks.
Brandon, showcasing both his arm and legs, orchestrated two decisive scoring drives. First, he called his own number on a one-yard quarterback sneak to extend the lead. Then, with just over four minutes remaining, he delivered the knockout blow, finding Hudson Cooper streaking down the field for a 63-yard touchdown pass that essentially sealed the championship.
For Rolesville, Atkinson showed tremendous poise in defeat, finding success with multiple receivers as Gavin Waddell led all pass-catchers with seven receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. The Rams' ground game, however, struggled to find consistent success against a stout Grimsley defensive front that limited them to just 38 rushing yards.
As the final seconds ticked away and the celebration began, the Whirlies' journey from their early-season determination to their late-December triumph was complete. For Coach Brown and his squad, the 2024 state championship trophy represents not just a single game's victory, but the culmination of a season's worth of dedication, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
.png)
