NCHSAA Playoff Round 3 Weekly Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was out last night, so I didn't have time to write an instant analysis. Instead, I'm writing a "Weekly Recap." The premise is the same; I'm simply reacting to the night's biggest results, focusing on three things that stood out above the rest. The difference is that it isn't dropping instantly after the games conclude. Here's my NCHSAA Playoff Round 3 Weekly Recap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Round 3 Weekly Recap</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reagan Wins in a New Way</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7A <strong>Reagan's</strong> blueprint has been simple: Keep the clock moving and the opposition out of the end zone. It's worked several times this season, as the Raiders had only allowed 20 points in a game four times (2-2 record) entering a road matchup at <strong>Mooresville</strong>. Mooresville dragged Reagan into a shootout, and the Raiders came back late to win, 32-31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a running back duel to start the game, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.']</strong> and <strong>JaDarius McCombs</strong> scoring twice each in the first half. The quarterbacks got involved later, as the athletic <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612118' first='Brody' last='Norman']</strong> scored, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201581' first='Jacob' last='Smith']</strong> hit <strong>Eli Davis</strong> for his first of two touchdowns. Smith hit Davis with about three minutes left, then ran the game-winning two-point conversion in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The flexibility shown by the Raiders is key in the playoffs. Not every game will go according to plan, so the ability to win in different ways is huge. They'll play undefeated <strong>Grimsley</strong> next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3A Got a Little Wild</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While 4A-6A have three total teams below a four-seed in the quarterfinals, 3A went the opposite direction. Only four of the final eight had a first-round bye. Two of those teams are No. 7 <strong>Northeastern</strong> and No. 8 <strong>Lincolnton</strong>. In 3A, three of the top four and six of the top eight seeds are out, with only No. 1 <strong>James Kenan</strong> and No. 3 <strong>Eastern Randolph</strong> remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since I plan to preview No. 10 <strong>Shelby</strong> and No. 3 <strong>Eastern Randolph</strong> this week, I'll look elsewhere. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Davidson</strong> had some more magic, beating <strong>North Stanly</strong> behind another strong defensive performance. The Dragons forced multiple turnovers and overcame two long <strong>Kylan Dockery</strong> touchdowns as <strong>Nic Huff</strong> scored twice in a 23-21 win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stars were fantastic in No. 8 <strong>Lincolnton's</strong> win over No. 1 <strong>Mountain Heritage</strong>, as three players in our top 100 had huge games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665273' first='Cason' last='Jones']</strong> opened the scoring with a long touchdown run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421082' first='RJ' last='Lynch']</strong> then got going, scoring twice in the first half on passes from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678610' first='Rashad' last='Lynch']</strong>, including a 60-yarder that I heard was an unreal play. Lynch would score later in the second half after a rushing touchdown from <strong>Nehemiah Thompson</strong> to win 37-36. Meanwhile, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678635' first='Jalaythan' last='Mayfield']</strong> led both teams in tackles and made some key stops against a team that ran the ball all game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against all odds, Lincolnton will host a home playoff game in the quarterfinals as an eight seed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 7 <strong>Northeastern</strong> will also host, as <strong>Kinston</strong> beat <strong>Pasquotank County</strong>. It's pandemonium in 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Close Calls in 6A</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home teams in 6A went 7-1 on Friday, with <strong>No. 5 Sun Valley</strong> as the only road victor, but that didn't mean the favorites had stress-free nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, five of the seven winners won by one score. The two closest were one-point wins by No. 1 <strong> Jacksonville</strong> and No. 3<strong> Middle Creek</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858055' first='Mike' last='McLean']</strong> and the Scotland County running game gave Jacksonville all it could handle, only losing on a failed two-point conversion with under two minutes remaining. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1844273' first='SaRonn' last='Thompson']</strong> had an interception, and both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2063433' first='Anthony' last='Washington']</strong> went over 100 yards on the ground for Jacksonville, a team <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/3-storylines-to-watch-in-round-3/">I listed among the teams</a> I fully expect to make the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Creek</strong> was a team I identified before the playoffs as <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/contender-profile-middle-creek-mustangs/">a potential dark horse champion</a>, but <strong>Southern Alamance</strong> took the Mustangs to the brink. The running game couldn't get going, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> threw for nearly 350 yards and three touchdowns, one apiece to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880228' first='Honor' last='Paxton']</strong>, and <strong>Nicolas Bocciardi</strong>. <strong>Ezra Jobe</strong> had a late, game-winning two-point conversion to keep the Mustangs' hopes alive. The Mustangs had to overcome a 135-yard, two-touchdown performance from <strong>Jacob Alexander</strong>, but will head to <strong>Northern Nash</strong> in the regional semifinals.</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? 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