NCISAA Championship Staff Picks
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The NCISAA Championship Games are upon us, and we're giving our predictions on how each of the three games will go. While I've written the predictions, Matt Morrow has given his picks, as well. Here are our staff picks for the three NCISAA Championship Games.
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NCISAA 8-Man Championship Prediction
Cary Christian (11-1) tries to get revenge on Arendell Parrott Academy (12-0) in a matchup of teams that have comprised four of the last five eight-man state champions, though this is the first time this decade they'll play in a championship game. Check out our NCISAA 8-Man Championship Preview, then take a look at our staff picks:
Prediction
To me (Will), the key is whether Cary Christian can slow down Arendell Parrott's running game, led by Braxton Loftin-Myers Braxton Loftin-Myers 5'7" | 165 lbs | RB Arendell-Parrott Academy | 2026 NC . Reed Harvey Reed Harvey 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Cary Christian | 2026 State NC is a true college prospect at the quarterback position who rarely makes mistakes, and he has plenty of weapons (led by Cennoth Kalisiak Cennoth Kalisiak 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR/RB Cary Christian | 2027 State NC ), so Cary Christian is going to score points. But, they need some balance in the rushing totals. Last time these teams met, the Knights were outrushed 317 to 63. They won't need to win the rushing battle, but they'll need to at least be competitive.
The Knights will also need to protect Harvey from guys like
Brody Kuszyk
Brody
Kuszyk
6'3" | 235 lbs | /TE
Arendell-Parrott Academy | 2026
State
NC
, and avoid giving up explosive pass plays to guys like
Ben Barrett
Ben
Barrett
6'1" | 170 lbs | WR
Arendell-Parrott Academy | 2026
NC
. My gut says they'll do one or two of those things and squeak one out, but this is a fantastic matchup between two deserving teams.
Picks
Will Helms: Cary Christian 30, Arendell Parrott 28
Matt Morrow: Cary Christian 35, Arendell Parrott 34
NCISAA Division II Championship Prediction
Asheville School (7-2-1) heads to undefeated High Point Christian Academy (11-0) looking to win its fourth-straight state championship. Check out our NCISAA Division II Championship Preview, then take a look at our staff picks:
Prediction
Matt and I are split here, but we both expect a close, low-scoring game. The key will be the explosive play battle. These teams are eerily similar, from their commitment to a diverse run game to their abilities to hit big plays in the passing game; it's no surprise this is the matchup.
Jaylen Moore
Jaylen
Moore
5'9" | 180 lbs | RB/ATH
HPCA | 2026
State
NC
is the NCISAA's leading rusher. While most games are won and lost in the trenches, I think it'll be about which athletes can make guys miss.
Hez Krider Jr
Hez
Krider Jr
5'8" | 170 lbs | RB
High Point Christian Academy | 2027
State
NC
. and
Shiloh Mukendi
Shiloh
Mukendi
6'2" | 205 lbs | RB
Asheville School | 2027
State
NC
have much fewer attempts this season than Moore. I wonder if that gives them the advantage late in the game. That being said, it could be a big play on defense or in the passing game that could change the game. Whether that's
Marvyn Larozar
Marvyn
Larozar
6'3" | 190 lbs | ATH/WR
Asheville School | 2026
NC
or
Keenin Harris
Keenin
Harris
6'0" | 175 lbs | DB
Southwest Guilford | 2026
State
NC
. I'm interested to see if Asheville School can block the High Point Christian edge defenders (
Whitton Butler
Whitton
Butler
6'4" | 205 lbs | EDGE
High Point Christian Academy | 2029
State
NC
, Micah Russell) in a must-pass situation, should the Blues get to that spot.
Picks
Will Helms: High Point Christian 27, Asheville School 21
Matt Morrow: Asheville School 28, High Point Christian 24
NCISAA Division I Championship Prediction
Two rivals less than two miles apart meet for the second time this season as Charlotte Christian (7-5) tries to knock off undefeated Providence Day (12-0). Check out our NCISAA Division I Championship Preview, then take a look at our staff picks:
Prediction:
I like this Charlotte Christian team, led by running back
Jamal Rule
Jamal
Rule
6'0" | 205 lbs | RB/DB
Charlotte Christian | 2026
State
NC
and linebacking trio
Cohen Kilgannon
Cohen
Kilgannon
6'2" | 225 lbs | LB
Charlotte Christian | 2026
State
NC
,
Ryder Kilgannon
Ryder
Kilgannon
6'2" | 215 lbs | LB
Charlotte Christian | 2026
State
NC
, and
Jacob Simmons
Jacob
Simmons
6'1" | 195 lbs | LB
Charlotte Christian | 2026
State
NC
. But ultimately, Providence Day is too deep. I like the interior of the Providence Day offensive line (
Nick Cherry
Nick
Cherry
6'2" | 280 lbs | OL
Providence Day | 2027
State
NC
,
DC Carr
DC
Carr
6'2" | 290 lbs | OL/DL
Providence Day | 2026
State
NC
) to wear down the Knights' front seven, as Aiden Gallos has a big game. Expect QB
Zaid Lott
Zaid
Lott
6'4" | 200 lbs | QB
Providence Day | 2026
State
NC
to be efficient and hit one of his explosive receivers (
Gordon Sellars
Gordon
Sellars
6'2" | 185 lbs | WR
Providence Day | 2026
State
NC
,
Steele Fletcher
Steele
Fletcher
5'8" | 160 lbs | WR
Providence Day | 2027
State
NC
,
Brendan Ravin
Brendan
Ravin
6'1" | 165 lbs | WR
Providence Day | 2026
State
NC
,
Ethan Dempsey
Ethan
Dempsey
6'3" | 195 lbs | ATH/WR
Providence Day | 2027
State
NC
) on a long touchdown. The Chargers probably deserve to end the year undefeated, and both Matt and I think that will happen.
Picks
Will Helms: Providence Day 51, Charlotte Christian 21
Matt Morrow: Providence Day 45, Charlotte Christian 27
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