1A Championship Preview: Robbinsville-Wilson Prep

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The week is finally here. The NCHSAA State Championship Games start on Thursday, and Prep Redzone is here to give you all the info you need to be an informed observer. First up in a week full of previews and prospect coverage is a 1A State Championship Preview. Here's everything you need to know about Robbinsville and Wilson Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 1A Championship Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Wilson Prep (8-5) vs. Robbinsville (10-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details: </strong>TBD (Will update when available)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Passers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2075093' first='Luke' last='Lovin']</strong> (Robbinsville): 80-137, 1,203 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2060060' first='Travon' last='Usher']</strong> (Wilson Prep): 28-49, 624 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Rushers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2060060' first='Travon' last='Usher']</strong> (Wilson Prep): 176 carries, 1,871 yards, 19 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kyzik Teesateskie</strong> (Robbinsville): 107 carries, 867 yards, 18 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Receivers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cameron Allison</strong> (Robbinsville): 20 receptions, 378 yards, 4 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2075151' first='Ethan' last='Nelson']</strong> (Wilson Prep): 10 receptions, 207 yards, 2 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leading Tacklers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2075151' first='Ethan' last='Nelson']</strong> (Wilson Prep): 92 solo tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ryelon Waldroup</strong> (Robbinsville): 62 solo tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wilson Prep vs. Robbinsville Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this is your first exposure to the 1A class this year, these records are a bit misleading. Wilson Prep loaded its non-conference schedule with teams like 7A East Champion Clayton and four others that made the quarterfinals of their respective classes, all in the 3A class or above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similarly, Robbinsville's three losses came to 9-3 or better teams in the 2A, 3A, and 5A classes. These are two teams that not only <em>expected</em> to be playing this weekend, but also expect to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson Prep is the most physically dominant team in the 1A class, as the lines of scrimmage are loaded. Freshman <strong>Zach Cannady</strong> is second in the class with 12 sacks, while two-way lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659584' first='Reginald' last='Holmes']</strong> is a true college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams want to pound the rock, but do it in very different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson Prep wants to muddy the line of scrimmage, running a bunch of misdirection and involving multiple backs. It's primarily a shotgun offense, but has elements of the Wing-T and Double-Wing offenses. They're going to crowd the line with narrow splits and fast-developing power concepts. It all hinges on Usher's decision-making in the running game, something he excels at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robbinsville, on the other hand, wants to spread teams out, forcing them to cover fast receivers on the outside, emptying the box to allow room for zone handoffs out of shotgun and pistol. They'll roll the pocket and give Lovin plenty of high-low reads in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Robbinsville running backs, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752168' first='Isiac' last='Collins']</strong> and Teesateskie are excellent one-cut runners with speed and power who can wear down defenses. On the flip side, Wilson Prep uses Usher as the battering ram, and two smaller scat backs in Nelson and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580029' first='Nazir' last='Vines']</strong> as the homerun hitters on sweeps and counters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think Robbinsville can bully Wilson Prep's defensive line, so I'm interested to see what wrinkles the Black Knights throw into the running game to sustain drives. I'd expect a few more play-action rollouts from Lovin and the offense as they counter Wilson Prep's strength inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither team has reached the state title game recently, but both expected to be here. It's Robbinsville's 18th appearance, despite not reaching the final since winning it all in 2019. For the newer Wilson Prep, it's a first-ever appearance, despite coming close in each of the last two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'll have to wait for an official prediction, as Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and I will have our predictions for all eight championship games free on Prep Redzone later this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.</em><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->