4A NCHSAA State Championship Preview: Reidsville vs. Brevard

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy NCHSAA Championship week! With eight champions to be crowned, the games start on Thursday, and Prep Redzone is here to give you all the info you need to be an informed observer. One of only two matchups of 1-seeds, the 4A bracket was always destined for a collision between Reidsville in the east and Brevard in the west. Here's everything you need to know about the 4A NCHSAA Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 4A 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> East No. 1 Reidsville (12-2) vs. West No. 1 Brevard (14-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details: </strong>Sat., Dec. 13, 11 a.m. @ Durham County Memorial Stadium</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>Christian Conley</strong> (Brevard): 105-147, 1,726 yards, 21 TDs, 1 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149961' first='Braxton' last='Johnson']*</strong> (Reidsville): 93-146, 1,532 yards, 24 TDs, 6 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='1909783' first='Braylon' last='Thompson']</strong> (Brevard): 158 carries, 1,046 yards, 14 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Michael Smith</strong> (Reidsville): 118 carries, 787 yards, 8 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>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong> (Brevard): 69 receptions, 1,287 yards, 18 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='869974' first='Dionte' last='Neal']</strong> (Reidsville): 61 receptions, 1,193 yards, 16 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='1908620' first='Anthone' last='Peele']</strong> (Reidsville): 125 solo tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 Fumble Recoveries</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Karter Macfie</strong> (Brevard): 43 solo tackles, 9 TFLs, 1 Interception</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reidsville vs. Brevard Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As previously mentioned, Reidsville and Brevard always seemed destined to clash in the finals, even if the Rams got off to a rocky start. Reidsville saw its 15-game regular season winning streak end in the opener against 6A Northern Guilford and was then shut out against 7A Reagan two weeks later. Since then, the Rams are averaging nearly 47 points a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams both have exciting offenses, but they use different approaches with their stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville has used three players at the quarterback position, rotating them nearly every game. While sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149961' first='Braxton' last='Johnson']</strong> is the future at the position, Southern Durham transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050807' first='Tyson' last='Broadway']</strong> has slowly taken more snaps at the quarterback position and the junior threw for 370 yards and six touchdowns two weeks ago against Central Davidson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do-it-all athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='869974' first='Dionte' last='Neal']</strong> will take occasional snaps at the quarterback position, and not just as a Wildcat option. He'll run the full offense, as he did when he led a game-winning drive in the Regional Final against West Craven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neal and Oregon commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953008' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']</strong> are the two stars, who have combined to score 47 touchdowns this season, while playing as two of the Rams' best defenders. Neal also has six interceptions, scoring on two of them while also scoring as both a kick and punt returner. The Rams' offense is designed to get its playmakers the ball in a variety of ways and in a variety of alignments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brevard also relies on its stars. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong> is the key cog, with nearly 60% of the Blue Devils' receiving yardage and 18 of the 27 receiving touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909783' first='Braylon' last='Thompson']</strong> has taken over a few games, including over 120 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns in last week's win over Maiden. Quarterback <strong>Christian Conley</strong> takes care of the ball, with just one interception all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's a big difference between these teams, it may be the pass rush units. Reidsville's defensive line has been nearly unblockable in obvious passing situations, led by edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678650' first='Kadence' last='Pruitt']</strong>. Brevard's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1894365' first='Toby' last='McCracken']</strong> has flashed, but that unit doesn't have the depth of Reidsville's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a matchup of polar opposites when it comes to experience. Reidsville has 30 state championship appearances and 23 wins, while Brevard will make its championship debut on Saturday. Reidsville's Neal and Harrison are looking to become just the second and third players in state history to win two championships in both football and basketball.</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.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->