5A NCHSAA Championship Preview: Hunt-Crest

<!-- 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. Both 5A Crest and Hunt expected to play for a state title, but it hasn't been completely smooth sailing. Both are playing at a high level throughout the playoffs, though, with some momentum heading into the championship game. Here's everything you need to know about the 5A State Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 5A 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>&nbsp;Crest (12-2) vs. Hunt (12-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details:&nbsp;</strong>Sat., Dec. 13, 8 p.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>[player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick']</strong> (Crest): 151-220, 2,457 yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953755' first='Mez' last='Harris']</strong> (Hunt): 67-121, 1,325 yards, 8 TDs, 7 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='1970795' first='Doryan' last='Jones']</strong> (Hunt): 219 carries, 1,656 yards, 20 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick']</strong> (Crest): 106 carries, 651 yards, 16 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='1671903' first='Michael' last='Edwards']</strong> (Crest): 44 receptions, 713 yards, 5 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154024' first='Namajay' last='Thompson']</strong> (Crest): 43 receptions, 732 yards, 11 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Isaiah Chadwick</strong> (Hunt): 17 receptions, 282 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>CJ Dickerson</strong> (Hunt): 91 solo tackles, 13 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306285' first='Khali' last='Clark']</strong> (Robbinsville): 48 solo tackles, two forced fumbles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crest vs. Hunt Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither Crest nor Hunt has had much trouble against 5A competition, winning all but two of their games against like competition by double digits. Ironically, both of those came in recent weeks, as Hunt escaped with close wins over No. 16 Eastern Alamance and No. 4 Croatan on their way to the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crest is playing its best ball of the season, outscoring opponents by an average score of 47-11 in its last five games. The Chargers face a difficult schematic matchup in the championship, however. Hunt's defensive line is one of the best in the class, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610537' first='Randy' last='James']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106602' first='Judah' last='Harris']</strong> showed that on Thursday, taking over in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crest manufactures rushing yardage thanks to perimeter runs from the receivers and scrambles from Hamrick, but in the rare cases where the passing game hasn't thrived, the Chargers have struggled a bit to move the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Hunt gets some pressure on Hamrick, the Warriors can really disrupt Crest's offense. However, they'll need to maintain rush lane integrity because Hamrick can pick a team apart with his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt's offense is built on explosives, as six different players have a touchdown of over 50 yards this season. They gash teams in the zone read game and then hit off of play action. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953755' first='Mez' last='Harris']</strong> is one of the great two-way players in the class, capping a big game against Northside-Jacksonville with a game-sealing interception, his fourth of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt has 23 interceptions in 14 games, and that defense against Hamrick and Crest's dynamic receiving duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154024' first='Namajay' last='Thompson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671903' first='Michael' last='Edwards']</strong> is the key matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while for both of these teams, as Crest's 11th state title appearance is also its first in 10 years. Hunt has had to wait even longer, last reaching the championship game 22 years ago, when they lost to Concord in the 3A Finals in 2003.</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 -->