4A Regional Finals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regional finals are set, and we're previewing all 12 games this week. The 4A class has one game on Thursday and one on Friday, and while several of the favorites have advanced, it hasn't been an easy road for the home teams. With four teams left, what should we expect in the 4A Regional Finals?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Missed our other Regional Finals pieces? Check them out:</em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/2a-regional-finals-preview/">2A</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/3a-regional-finals-preview/">3A</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/7a-regional-finals-preview/">7A</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A Regional Finals Preview: East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospects</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953008' first='Kendre' last='Harrison']</strong>, TE, Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='869974' first='Dionte' last='Neal']</strong>, Ath., Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050807' first='Tyson' last='Broadway']</strong>, QB, Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149961' first='Braxton' last='Johnson']</strong>, QB, Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675016' first='Christen' last='Kelly']</strong>, OL, Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678650' first='Kadence' last='Pruitt']</strong>, Edge, Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='948088' first='DJ' last='Davis']</strong>, Ath., West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1699333' first='Emmanuel' last='Miller']</strong>, Edge, West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453966' first='Michael' last='Wilson']</strong>, DB/WR, West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664518' first='Christopher' last='Person Jr'].</strong>, Ath., West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1631111' first='Amari' last='Sumner']</strong>, WR, West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 West Craven @ No. 1 Reidsville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In terms of the number of true college prospects, this is one of the most loaded games of the weekend. When these teams match up on Thursday night, there will be at least four future college quarterbacks on the rosters, and possibly a fifth, depending on how Person develops and what position he plays as he gets older. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Reidsville side, we'll likely see all three quarterbacks take snaps. Broadway has the biggest arm and is the top college quarterback prospect (We're higher on him than most and think he could be a legitimate FBS passer); he's also seen his reps increase as the season has progressed. Johnson is the high-upside sophomore who is accurate over the middle and spreads the ball around. Neal is the explosive athlete, the leading receiver who occasionally gets the ball in Wildcat situations and can throw a bit, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For West Craven, Davis has over 2,000 passing yards, 1,300 rushing yards, and 53 total touchdowns. He's put the team on his back on more than one occasion. Both of these teams have a ton of team speed and can get on the perimeter in both the passing and running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The receiver-defensive back matchups will be interesting, as will the decisions behind how these teams play their two-way guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Craven's top three defensive backs are Davis, Wilson, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351177' first='Xavier' last='Cuthbertson']</strong>, who all play offense. Conversely, Neal and Harrison are both key defenders. Will both teams put their best players in the game for every snap, or will they strategically rest them throughout the game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whichever team can avoid mistakes, find some sustained success on the ground, and hit a few big passing plays will advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> 4A Regional Finals Preview: West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospects</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909783' first='Braylon' last='Thompson']</strong>, RB, Brevard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1894365' first='Toby' last='McCracken']</strong>, Edge, Brevard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong>, WR, Brevard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665296' first='Brayden' last='Crain']</strong>, TE, Brevard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122961' first='Shannon' last='Wingate Jr'].</strong>, RB, Maiden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1765935' first='Keyahjae' last='Smyre']</strong>, Ath., Maiden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074241' first='Hampton' last='Reed']</strong>, WR/DB, Maiden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395230' first='Baylor' last='Duncan']</strong>, OL, Maiden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 6 Maiden @ No. 1 Brevard</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brevard was one of my state championship appearance locks (or at least strong favorites) as far back as early October, but it hasn't been all smooth sailing for the Blue Devils this playoff season. The Blue Devils had to survive in comeback fashion against No. 8 Burns a couple of weeks ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I mention that because Maiden is similar to that Bulldogs team. It all runs through running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122961' first='Shannon' last='Wingate Jr'].</strong>, a senior transfer with over 20 touches a game and 1,800 yards. Maiden is diverse in the running game, but it's a simple game plan. Wingate is a workhorse back who draws safeties into the box to open space in the passing game for receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1765935' first='Keyahjae' last='Smyre']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074241' first='Hampton' last='Reed']</strong>. And Maiden has been <em>very</em> effective in the playoffs, averaging over 35 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brevard has its own set of talented skill players, and the Blue Devils very rarely turn the ball over. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1909783' first='Braylon' last='Thompson']</strong> has nearly 1,000 yards on the ground, while do-it-all FBS prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong> is just outside the top 3 among North Carolina players in receiving yards this season. He also has four interceptions defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams thrive on winning the turnover battle, so whichever team can break the other's tendency to hold onto the ball could have a major advantage here. The battle in the trenches will be intriguing, and whichever team can force the other into unfavorable downs probably wins the game.</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. 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>.</em><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->