8A Championship Preview: Millbrook vs. Hough

<!-- 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. Millbrook and Hough have waited an extra week since clinching their title game spots, and they'll clash Thursday in the 8A NCHSAA Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 8A 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;Millbrook (13-0) vs. Robbinsville (13-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details:&nbsp;</strong>Thurs., Dec. 11, 8 p.m. @ UNC's Kenan 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='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong> (Millbrook): 168-265, 2,458 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal']</strong> (Hough): 123-213, 1,920 yards, 25 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='473833' first='Brilison' last='McCullers']</strong> (Millbrook): 152 carries, 747 yards, 17 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950967' first='JaMarion' last='Morrison']</strong> (Hough): 86 carries, 646 yards, 9 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='423992' first='Malachi' last='Gilchrist']</strong> (Millbrook): 46 receptions, 757 yards, 6 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jaylen Byers</strong> (Hough): 40 receptions, 691 yards, 11 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='651173' first='Quinton' last='Cypher']</strong> (Millbrook): 73 solo tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788073' first='Jackson' last='Heath']</strong> (Hough): 38 solo tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Millbrook vs. Hough Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only matchup of unbeatens among the eight NCHSAA championship games, Millbrook vs. Hough, should be a heavyweight prize fight. For the most part, both of these teams have run through their difficult schedules with relative ease, but they're not untested. Just last week, Millbrook had to survive a strong Hoggard team, 14-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hough had one-score wins in three of its first four games, needing comeback drives to win two of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The individual offensive stats don't turn heads simply because these teams are so deep. Seven players average at least 45 scrimmage yards per game, and many of the starters sat by halftime in several games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/8a-championship-game-rankings-comparison-offense/">plenty of stars on the offensive side of the ball</a>, even if the raw stats look more impressive in other championship matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, I think the story is the defense here. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/8a-championship-game-rankings-comparison-defense/">These units are loaded</a> at all three levels. Accordingly, expect this one to be low-scoring. These teams will probably try to limit possessions and play the field-position game, but explosive plays and turnovers could be the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are four defenders ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes: Hough CB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews']</strong> (2026) and LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950969' first='Ryan' last='Peterson']</strong> (2028), and Millbrook LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651173' first='Quinton' last='Cypher']</strong> (2027) and Edge <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1553113' first='Rashad' last='Streets']</strong> (2027). Both of these defenses have been suffocating in the playoffs, allowing just 34 total points and under 800 yards in six combined games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like any heavyweight fight, this could come down to which team can land a power shot. Both teams are capable of both putting together consistent drives and hitting on big plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incredibly, neither of these teams has ever reached a state championship. Hough lost to the eventual state champion three of the last five years, often after impressive regular seasons. Millbrook has won at least nine games in five consecutive seasons, but this is the first state championship for the Wildcats.</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 -->