7A NCHSAA Championship Preview: Grimsley vs. Clayton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy NCHSAA Championship week! With eight champions to be crowned, the games start on Thursday, and Prep Redzone is here to give you all the info you need to be an informed observer. Grimsley won a defensive struggle last week against Weddington, while Clayton outlasted Cardinal Gibbons in a shootout. Here, we're breaking down the 7A NCHSAA Championship</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 7A 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;East No. 3 Clayton (12-2) vs. West No. 1 Grimsley (14-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details:&nbsp;</strong>Fri., Dec. 12, 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='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls']</strong> (Clayton): 114-207, 1,784 yards, 21 TDs, 5 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon']*</strong> (Grimsley): 55-80, 978, 10 TDs, 0 INTs (Injured: Missed nine games)</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='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls']</strong> (Clayton): 176 carries, 1,348 yards, 24 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815393' first='Ty' last='Shoemake']</strong> (Grimsley): 127 carries, 1,082 yards, 16 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='909357' first='Kaden' last='Catoe']</strong> (Grimsley): 44 receptions, 883 yards, 11 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078034' first='Parker' last='Ferguson']</strong> (Clayton): 45 receptions, 866 yards, 8 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='1165755' first='Keshawn' last='Stancil']</strong> (Clayton): 84 solo tackles, 26 TFLs, 6 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078038' first='Jaiden' last='Wardlaw']</strong> (Grimsley): 74 solo tackles, 18 TFLs, 8 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton vs. Grimsley Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talented and battle-tested, Clayton and Grimsley are two of the best teams in the state. When they meet on Friday, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks, and understandably so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon']</strong> missed nine games with a thumb injury, and while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048930' first='Brody' last='Lowe']</strong> showed the dynasty won't be ending anytime soon, Grimsley is excited to have its leader back. Clayton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls']</strong> might not play quarterback at NC State, but he's playing as well as anyone in the state right now. The senior torched Cardinal Gibbons with over 175 rushing yards and 175 passing yards last game, with five total touchdowns, including the game-winner to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078034' first='Parker' last='Ferguson']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While these offenses have star quarterbacks, they're both built on the running game, and the quarterbacks contribute there as well. Brandon isn't a high-volume passer, and as a long-strider, Grimsley uses him a ton in short-yardage situations. He's not a true dual-threat, but he can do damage with his legs. Clayton's offense, on the other hand, is a modern spread running offense, with option concepts and a quarterback who is a true weapon as a runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike some of the other top teams, neither team uses much depth at the skill positions, and that's by design. 64% of Grimsley's catches are by three players, and that number is even higher with Brandon at the quarterback position. That means the health of Charlotte commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909357' first='Kaden' last='Catoe']</strong> is a big storyline. He left in the first half of the Weddington game and did not return. If he's out, the load falls to <strong>Khyan Battle</strong> and <strong>Hudson Cooper</strong>, though tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368103' first='DJ' last='Howerton']</strong> is a capable receiver as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's even more pronounced for the Comets, as the top three wideouts have 21 of the team's 22 receiving touchdowns. They don't throw a ton, as Smalls averages less than nine completions per game. Ferguson is the most consistent target, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600153' first='DeAngelo' last='Ruffin']</strong> has homerun speed, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='714587' first='TJ' last='Campbell']</strong> is the red zone threat, with seven touchdowns on 21 catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle in the trenches is the under-the-radar story. These teams are loaded along the line of scrimmage. Grimsley's offensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850278' first='Nick' last='Kashubara']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='903425' first='Jackson' last='Sammons']</strong>, has been outright dominant at times this season, even flashing against Weddington's elite defense. Grimsley will probably try to muddy this one up, slowing down the tempo and limiting possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grimsley has the advantage on defense, as the Whirlies have allowed just 97 yards in their last 11 games, though Clayton has allowed more than 22 points just once this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton's defensive line trio of Stancil, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444280' first='Jordan' last='Hamm']</strong>, and <strong>Kaden Blackwell</strong> can blow up early downs and force teams into obvious passing situations, which plays into the hands of a loaded defensive backfield, with the four starters combining for 14 of the team's 18 interceptions. They may be able to put <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366314' first='AK' last='Crumel']</strong> on Catoe (or Battle, if Catoe is unable to go), but they'll also likely need to put <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661632' first='Ta'Shaun' last='Walker']</strong> in the box as another number. The run fits will be important, so <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665959' first='Imarii' last='Givens']</strong> will be key for the Comets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side, it'll be all about containing Smalls' legs for the Whirlies' defense. They should get plenty of pass rush from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607067' first='Andrew' last='Rogers']</strong>. Wardlaw and the other linebackers will have to stay disciplined. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661003' first='Kosci' last='Barnes']</strong> has been a lockdown corner for the Whirlies, and when Catoe went down, he made some key plays at receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grimsley's senior class is attempting to finish its four years with a 60-1 record and three state championships. Clayton hasn't reached the state championship since 1989.</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 -->