7A Playoff Preview

The regular season has come to a close, and we've moved into the first-ever eight-classification playoff. The brackets are set, and games start on Friday. Here, we're previewing the 7A class bracket. Which teams are favored, which players are ones to watch, and are there any potential darkhorses who could make a run?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7A Playoff Preview</h2>   The winner of the 7A class might end up having the most difficult road of any potential champion. 8A has fewer teams and thus fewer playoff rounds, with the eventual winner potentially playing just four more games.   Already a competitive class, 7A has 48 total playoff teams, with the top eight in each the east and the west receiving first-round byes. Any team playing this weekend that wants to win a state title will need to win six consecutive games.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">First-Round Games to Watch</h3>   The top teams in the class are all on bye this weekend, meaning the spotlight is elsewhere on Friday. It's a mix between teams with good records and easy schedules, and teams with potentially misleading records after brutal regular-season slates. Here are a few first-round matchups to watch.   No. 23 Overhills @ No. 10 New Bern   New Bern has been as up-and-down as it gets this year, but when the Bears are at their best, they're a true contender. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1092153' first='Terrance' last='McCormick'] has tormented defenses as a rusher in recent weeks, and if he can hold onto the ball, New Bern should be in good shape this weekend.   Expect the Bears to lean on [player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood'] and the run, partially to control the clock, and partially to avoid a fierce Overhills pass rush (led by Jaylen Arnold) and an impressive secondary, led by Israel Daniel's seven interceptions.   No. 20 North Brunswick @ No. 13 Wake Forest   Wake Forest has been red hot the last two months, finishing undefeated in conference play and allowing just 6.8 points per game in its last five. Freshman quarterback Landen Perry has made very few mistakes, while there's been a steady dose of the running game, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1707809' first='Micah' last='Olu']. The defense has 34 sacks this season, with five players with at least three.   North Brunswick has the most misleading 3-7 record in the state, as the Scorpions have lost five games by a combined 21 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1871493' first='Kane' last='Jenrette'] leads a dangerous rushing attack, but don't forget about dual-threat Jonah Campbell.   No. 18 South Garner @ No. 15 South Central   If you're looking for a lower seed that could make a run, look no further than South Garner. The Titans would play conference rival Cleveland, who they nearly beat just over a month ago. They've got the high-level talent to challenge some of the top teams in the state, but will need to first beat a tough South Central team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1752061' first='Clevon' last='Akande'] is the offensive headliner for the Falcons, a guy who can take over the game on the ground. For South Garner, safety [player_tooltip player_id='1580801' first='Joseph' last='Bailey'] may be the x-factor, a talented, multi-faceted defender who can play the run and the pass. The Titans have been devastated by injuries at the quarterback position, but Alijah Clarke has been outstanding on the ground. If the Titans can grind out low-scoring games, they'll have a chance to scare some teams.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch in the 7A Playoffs</h2>   This isn't an exhaustive list, but here are some of the players who could tell the story of the inaugural 7A playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert'], QB, Cleveland   [player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls'], QB, Clayton   [player_tooltip player_id='690769' first='Gannon' last='Jones'], QB, Cardinal Gibbons   Faison Brandon, QB, Grimsley   [player_tooltip player_id='823700' first='Aiden' last='Harris'], DL, Weddington   [player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.'], Reagan   [player_tooltip player_id='1124842' first='Jayden' last='Jones'], RB, Independence   [player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street'], QB, Independence   [player_tooltip player_id='612118' first='Brody' last='Norman'], QB, Mooresville   Terrande Spencer, Edge, Richmond Senior   [player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman'], RB, Southeast Raleigh   [player_tooltip player_id='1656365' first='Tayden' last='McPhatter'], Ath., Garner   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7A Darkhorses</h3>   If you're looking for a team to make a deep run outside of the top 2 seeds on each side of the bracket, look no further than these teams.   Garner Trojans   Garner has been one of the most impressive non-traditional powers this season, with playmakers all over the field. They can beat teams in a variety of ways, making them a tough out. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy'], running back [player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace'], and athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle'] all averaged over seven yards a carry this season, while four receivers went over 250 receiving yards. Defensively, the Trojans had 32 sacks, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1702833' first='Tyquan' last='Richardson']'s nine, while both safeties can come down and defend the run. The 4-seed Trojans would draw No. 1 Cardinal Gibbons in the regional semifinals, in what could be a great game.   Reagan Raiders   When the weather gets cold, watch out for teams that can run the ball and stop the run. Reagan allowed 21 or more points just three times this season. Evans is a premier running back, while the defense is elite. The Raiders play slowly, limiting possessions and forcing teams to drive the length of the field. [player_tooltip player_id='1617737' first='King' last='Kalama'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1644205' first='Leo' last='Housel-Rajacich'] are quite the duo in the front seven. A potential third-round matchup against Mooresville is appointment viewing.   Richmond Senior Raiders   Did I mention 7A was loaded? Richmond has a potential third-round matchup with Independence, another team I think could make a run, should it escape the Spiders. Again, defense is the name of the game here. Spencer is an elite edge rusher, while [player_tooltip player_id='1687751' first='Ty' last='Covington'] had seven interceptions on the back end. They force a ton of turnovers and grind it out on offense. That's a recipe for success when the weather turns cold.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7A Playoff Prediction</h2>   Oh man, picking a winner here is going to be so tough.   Rivals Cleveland and Clayton could meet in the regional semifinals. If Cleveland gets revenge, I think the Rams finally have the running game to do damage. Ultimately, though, I like Cardinal Gibbons to emerge in the east, with Weddington beating Grimsley in the west.   Give me Weddington's running game over Cardinal Gibbons in the state title.   Follow Prep Redzone for more high-quality coverage throughout the playoffs and offseason. Want to get in front of our scouts this offseason? Our next PRZ Carolinas Stock-Up Showcase is Dec. 7. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2124/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Register here</a>. Promo Code HelmsWinterPRZ will get you $10 off registration. And don't forget to vote for our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/who-is-the-2025-prznc-player-of-the-year/">PRZNC Player of the Year</a>.

The regular season has come to a close, and we've moved into the first-ever eight-classification playoff. The brackets are set, and games start on Friday. Here, we're previewing the 7A class bracket. Which teams are favored, which players are ones to watch, and are there any potential darkhorses who could make a run?