NCHSAA Championship Staff Picks

It's state championship time, and our staff is here to give you all the information you need. The games will take place from Thursday to Saturday at UNC's Kenan Stadium, Lenoir-Rhyne's Moretz Stadium, and Durham County Memorial Stadium. We've previewed every game, now we're giving you our picks.

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Editor's Note: We've listed these games in the order they'll be played this weekend. At the bottom of the page, we've listed them in order from 1A to 8A.

Wilson Prep (8-5) vs. Robbinsville (10-3)

When: 4:00 p.m. Thursday

Where: UNC's Kenan Stadium

Staff Pick: Wilson Prep (2-1)

Why the Tigers Will Win: Wilson Prep's late-season rise has been powered by a brutal nonconference slate that prepared them for championship week. Their speed and big-play ability give them the edge over a tough Robbinsville squad. -Joshua Graham

Game Preview

Millbrook (13-0) vs. Hough (13-0)

When: 8:00 p.m. Thursday

Where: UNC's Kenan Stadium

Staff Pick: Hough (2-1)

Why the Huskies Will Win: Could this be the year the Huskies finally get it done? Both programs reach the championship stage for the first time, but Hough's defense has been on another level all postseason. Their physical front and disciplined secondary should control the pace from start to finish. -Joshua Graham

Game Preview

Middle Creek (11-2) vs. Watauga (14-0)

When: 4:00 p.m. Friday

Where: UNC's Kenan Stadium

Staff Pick: Watauga (2-1)

Why the Pioneers Will Win: Middle Creek's run to their first state title game has been special, but Watauga's experience, physicality, and downhill identity give them the edge in a tight matchup. Expect the stars on both teams to be up to the challenge, and if Lex Sevilla Lex Sevilla 6'0" | 205 lbs | QB/P Middle Creek | 2027 State NC has another strong game, this should be close (Which is why Will has the Mustangs), but ultimately, Watauga's ability to run the ball should be enough. -Joshua Graham

Game Preview

Clayton (12-2) vs. Grimsley (14-0)

When: 8:00 p.m. Friday

Where: UNC's Kenan Stadium

Staff Pick: Grimsley (Unanimous)

Why the Whirlies Will Win: Grimsley's senior class is attempting to finish their careers with a 60-1 record, with three state titles, something that hasn't been done in the upper classifications since Independence's dominant early 2000s run. The Whirlies are built to wear teams down, then catch them with explosive plays in the passing game from quarterback Faizon Brandon Faizon Brandon 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Grimsley | 2026 State NC . It should be low-scoring and close, but we like Grimsley to make it three in four years. -Will Helms

Game Preview

Reidsville (12-2) vs. Brevard (14-0)

When: 11:00 a.m. Saturday

Where: Lenoir-Rhyne's Moretz Stadium

Staff Pick: Reidsville (Unanimous)

Why the Rams Will Win: Reidsville and Brevard are two of the most deserving 4A teams you could script for this stage—consistent, dominant, and built for December football. But when it comes down to pure talent and playmakers, Reidsville has the edge. Expect big games from the Rams' stars, Dionte Neal Dionte Neal 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Reidsville | 2026 State NC and Kendre Harrison Kendre Harrison 6'7" | 245 lbs | TE Reidsville | 2026 State NC , in their final games on the gridiron. -Joshua Graham

Game Preview

Kinston (11-4) vs. Shelby (12-3)

When: 2:00 p.m. Saturday

Where: Durham County Memorial Stadium

Staff Pick: Shelby (2-1)

Why the Golden Lions Will Win: Despite the double-digit seedings next to these teams' names, they're two teams that expected to make deep playoff runs. The top two passing attacks in the state clash, and we all think it will be a high-scoring contest. The Shelby defense has more depth and star power, and while I don't think they'll stop Tyreek Copper Tyreek Copper 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Kinston | 2026 State NC from setting the North Carolina single-season receiving yardage record, I do think they'll get a few more stops. -Will Helms

Game Preview

Tarboro (14-0) vs. Murphy (14-0)

When: 5:00 p.m. Saturday

Where: Lenoir-Rhyne's Moretz Stadium

Staff Pick: Tarboro (Unanimous)

Why the Vikings Will Win: Tarboro has the chance to complete arguably the greatest season in the history of North Carolina's lower classifications, with wins over the 3A and 5A East representatives. Running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore Kamerin McDowell-Moore 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Tarboro | 2026 State NC passed 2,000 yards for the season, and we expect the Vikings to have plenty of success in the running game, even over a strong Murphy defense. Tarboro is just too deep and too talented. -Will Helms

Hunt (12-2) vs. Crest (12-2)

When: 8:00 p.m. Saturday

Where: Durham County Memorial Stadium

Staff Pick: Crest (2-1)

Why the Chargers Will Win: Both of these teams can put up points, led by true dual-threat QBs in Crest's Ely Hamrick Ely Hamrick 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Crest | 2026 State NC and Hunt's Mez Harris Mez Harris 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB/DB Hunt | 2027 State NC . Both of these teams will put up points; it's just a matter of which defense, led by its star unit, can get a few stops. Matt and I lean towards the Crest defensive backfield getting a few stops, while Josh thinks the Hunt edge rushers ( Randy James Randy James 6'1" | 205 lbs | EDGE Hunt | 2027 State NC , Judah Harris Judah Harris 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB/EDGE Hunt | 2027 State NC , CJ Dickerson) can stall a drive or two. Ultimately, I like Crest's depth a bit more in what should be a fun ending to the weekend. -Will Helms

Game Preview

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