State Championship Preview: Prep Redzone Staff Picks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe we've reached the end of the high school football season, but here we are. There will be four new state champions in the next 36 hours. Here, our small but mighty staff gives our predictions for the NCHSAA Championship Games this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've not just going to tell you who wins, but why, and because of which players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are our state championship staff picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7 p.m. Friday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolesville (14-1) vs. Grimsley (15-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staff Pick: Grimsley (2-1)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Grimsley Will Win: </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the tie-breaking vote, I was prepared to pick Rolesville here, but I just can't bring myself to pick against the Whirlies. NC Mr. Football winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'] </strong>is the real deal, with pinpoint accuracy and a fearlessness to make difficult throws. But on an offense full of high-Power Four players, it's running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421109' first='Mitchell' last='Summers'] </strong>who makes it all go. If Rolesville can't slow him down, the Grimsley offense will roll, because there are too many play-makers. Somebody is almost always open. Last week, it was deep threat <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909357' first='Kaden' last='Catoe']</strong>. This week, it could be some someone else</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='620146' first='Bryce' last='Davis'] </strong>can take over games. I saw it in person when the Whirlies beat Charlotte Catholic. With the extra focus offenses put on him off the edge, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='422071' first='Andre' last='Hill Jr.'] </strong>can disrupt things on the inside. Rolesville's offensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='697368' first='Logan' last='Pulley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287829' first='Gavin' last='Marks'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1246211' first='Aamir' last='Morgan'] </strong>will have its work cut out for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Rolesville wins, it will be because a defense led by edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1195504' first='Jonathan' last='Hinnant'] </strong>up front and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='946850' first='Marquis' last='Bryant'] </strong>in the back is able to keep Brandon from getting in a rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11 a.m. Friday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Charlotte (12-2) vs. Seventy-First (15-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staff Pick: Seventy-First (2-1)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Seventy-First Will Win:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion, Seventy-First has one of the two or three best backfield combos in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1346327' first='Jayson' last='Franklin'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286177' first='DeAndre' last='Nance']</strong> have so far proved unstoppable. West Charlotte has a great linebacker group, led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949642' first='Michael' last='Griffin']</strong>, but stopping Frankin and Nance in the running game is a tall task.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seventy-First has their own dominant linebacker in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1152774' first='Donavan' last='Frederick']</strong>. West Charlotte is young and should be back. If they win, it'll be on a passing game led by several underclassmen, including quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321007' first='Jamouri' last='Nichols']</strong> and receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299433' first='Donte' last='Nicholson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321100' first='Rakim' last='Finch'].</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3 p.m. Saturday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corvian Community (15-0) vs. Tarboro (13-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staff Pick: Tarboro (Unanimous)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Tarboro Will Win:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tarboro has been completely unchallenged in 1A this season, losing only to 3A power Havelock and allowing just 12 points since mid-October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback/edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1408773' first='Tyler' last='Powell']</strong> is the best player on defense in this game and is the best passer I've ever seen at Tarboro. He's a guy I'm hoping college scouts finally offer. He led the team in sacks and threw 12 touchdown passes this year. His top running back is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473838' first='Kamerin' last='McDowell-Moore']</strong>, who is explosive and should be able to put up some huge numbers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781241' first='Mason' last='Satterfield']</strong> is the secon option and he had 1,000 yards. I just don't think Corvian can stop the Tarboro rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6:30 p.m. Saturday</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe (14-0) vs. Northeastern (15-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staff Pick: Monroe (2-1)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Monroe Will Win:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I personally think this is the best of the championship games, with not much separating these teams. The story here is the Northeastern passing attack, led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='959863' first='Trevaris' last='Jones'] </strong>and the best in 2A, against an elite Monroe passing defense, led by our No. 1 defensive back (and Monroe's leading receiver) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1199249' first='Jordan' last='Young'].</strong> Jones spreads the ball around to guys like <strong>Tyrell Saunders. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monroe offense is slightly more balanced, with dual-threat quarterback <strong>Keegan Chambers</strong> leading the way through the air and on the ground. If Northeastern can avoid Young when they're on offense and contain him when they're on defense, I think they'll win. Still, I have to go with the best player on the field. Monroe's balance on offense could be the difference, As the tie-breaker, I'll go with Monroe in a classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Here's how our staff voted for each of the four games this weekend.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Matt</strong></td><td><strong>Josh</strong></td><td><strong>Will</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Tarboro</td><td>Tarboro</td><td>Tarboro</td></tr><tr><td>Monroe</td><td>Northeastern</td><td>Monroe</td></tr><tr><td>West Charlotte</td><td>Seventy-First</td><td>Seventy-First</td></tr><tr><td>Grimsley</td><td>Rolesville</td><td>Grimsley</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->