8A Championship Game Rankings Comparison: Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some former colleagues of mine from a college recruiting site run a "Star Power" article every week, comparing the recruiting rankings of the two teams each week. This is my attempt at something similar. The 8A State Championship game is next week, so this week, I'm comparing the two rosters, going position-by-position to break down the teams. Find out which team holds the advantage at each offensive position in this Rankings Comparison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Rankings Comparison: Hough vs. Millbrook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams have top signal-callers in the junior class, but one holds the slight advantage. Hough's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal']</strong> comes in at No. 27 in our 2027 rankings, while Millbrook's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong> checks in at No. 101. Both guys have around 2,400 yards this season, and while Gray has been a higher volume passer, Royal's legs have been an x-factor for the Huskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advantage: Hough</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Royal is actually Hough's leading rusher, but the Huskies have an impressive running back duo as well. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671864' first='Marvin' last='Reed Jr'].</strong> was a stock-riser for us in the offseason at No. 255, while sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950967' first='JaMarion' last='Morrison']</strong> has flashed, and his upside puts him at No. 46 in the 2028 class, while he's averaged over seven yards a carry. Millbrook has its own duo, and it's a strong one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473833' first='Brilison' last='McCullers']</strong> ranks 107, while junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263702' first='Santonis' last='Wright']</strong> transferred in this offseason and is ranked No. 270 in the 2027 class. He's a potential postseason stock-riser after running for nearly 700 yards this season, giving Millbrook a slight advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advantage: Millbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receiver</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these teams go wide receiver by committee, though there are some highly-ranked receivers on each side, especially in the 2026 class. The highest-ranked is Hough's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945238' first='Tyran' last='Evans']</strong> (23), but he's been out for much of this season. Millbrook's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423992' first='Malachi' last='Gilchrist']</strong> (77) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1640434' first='Malachi' last='Thomas']</strong> (131) are next, followed by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402303' first='Taden' last='Martin']</strong> (259). Hough's leading receiver, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072202' first='Jayden' last='White']</strong> was a late bloomer who will join our rankings in the postseason update. Also, watch for Hough freshman <strong>Mason Pearsall-Brown</strong>, a big-bodied receiver who just received his first offer from North Carolina. Here, we give a <em>slight</em> advantage to Millbrook.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advantage: Millbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tight End</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hough uses a lot more spread sets with no tight ends, and will also use extra linemen. We don't have any Huskie tight ends ranked, while Millbrook's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1252939' first='Hayes' last='Brawner']</strong> is a top-150 recruit in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advantage: Millbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a college prospect standpoint, Hough holds a clear advantage here, though both lines are excellent. 2026 App State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158293' first='Jarvis' last='Potts']</strong> is ranked 93rd, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1361513' first='A'Maree' last='Lawrence Broome']</strong> is ranked 257th. Center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788164' first='Tauatevalu' last='Tuionetoa']</strong> is on our 2027 watchlist and will be added to the rankings at the next update. Millbrook left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050585' first='Creston' last='Avery']</strong> checks in at No. 184, and he's likely an interior lineman at the next level. Right tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072220' first='Amir' last='Daniels']</strong> will debut in the next 2029 rankings update as one of the top offensive linemen in the freshman class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advantage: Hough</strong></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.&nbsp;<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&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/who-is-the-2025-prznc-player-of-the-year/">PRZNC Player of the Year</a>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->