3A NCHSAA Championship Preview: Kinston vs. Shelby

<!-- 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. Shelby and Kinston aren't your typical Cinderellas, but each fought through four road games to get to the state championship. Here's everything you need to know about the 3A NCHSAA Championship</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCHSAA 3A 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> East No. 14 Kinston (11-4) vs. West No. 10 Shelby (10-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Details: </strong>Sat., Dec. 13, 2 p.m. @ Durham County Memorial 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='1337049' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong> (Kinston): 249-372, 4,063 yards, 54 TDs, 11 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1099168' first='Lan' last='Farmer']</strong> (Shelby): 214-305, 3,770 yards, 48 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='1905611' first='Jonas' last='Woods']</strong> (Shelby): 120 carries, 960 yards, 13 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Genesis Wiggins</strong> (Kinston): 139 carries, 1,121 yards, 13 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='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper']</strong> (Kinston): 98 receptions, 2,013 yards, 30 TDs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483642' first='Immanuel' last='Collins']</strong> (Shelby): 50 receptions, 964 yards, 12 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='2047969' first='Jemorris' last='Poole']</strong> (Kinston): 82 solo tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078249' first='Landon' last='Hollifield']</strong> (Shelby): 42 solo tackles, 29 TFLs, 4.5 sacks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kinston vs. Shelby Preview</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're just looking at the seeds beside the two 3A Regional Champions' names, you may be confused about how this happened, but don't be surprised. Kinston and Shelby were clearly the top two 3A teams for most of the season, and last week's blowouts proved it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams loaded their non-conference schedules, and each took a close loss to a strong team in conference, Kinston to undefeated 2A powerhouse Tarboro, and Shelby to Lincolnton, whom they shut out 30-0 last week in the Regional Finals. Both teams improved as the year progressed, and they're firing on all cylinders heading into the state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like prolific passing offenses, I've got a game for you. Jones and Farmer have the most passing yards in the state by a very wide margin, while prolific receivers have dominated all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinston's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper']</strong> is looking to complete the most statistically dominant season for a wide receiver in state history, as he leads the country with 30 receiving TDs and could become the first player in state history to catch a touchdown pass in every game. He already holds the state record with a receiving touchdown in 16 straight games, dating back to last season. He's 89 yards and two touchdowns away from tying the all-time single-season records in North Carolina set by legends Sage Surratt and Mohamed Massaquoi, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's complemented by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1539536' first='Brennan' last='Chambers']</strong>, who went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season after last week's performance. But Shelby has its own group of dynamic pass-catchers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483642' first='Immanuel' last='Collins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044437' first='JJ' last='Williams']</strong>, and <strong>Lorenzo Roseboro</strong> have combined for over 140 receptions, 2,500 yards, and 35 receiving touchdowns. The touchdowns alone would put them fifth in the state for entire passing offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's some talent at the running back position for each of these teams, as well, though the offenses go through the quarterbacks. Shelby freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1905611' first='Jonas' last='Woods']</strong> is among the state leaders in rushing for 2029 recruits, and Kinston's <strong>Genesis Wiggins</strong> has been clutch, with several of his 12 touchdowns coming late in close games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the defenses are talented, no one has stopped these offenses this season, and it's not hard to expect a shootout. Since Week 3, the teams have reached 28 points in 24 of a combined 26 games and 40 points in 16 of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these defenses are opportunistic. The Vikings don't get a lot of pressure, but have forced 33 turnovers, while Shelby gets a ton of pressure on the quarterback, with 46.5 sacks this season. But Kinston rarely gives up pressure, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1337049' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong> is one of the best in the state under pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the defenses are talented, allowing just seven combined points in the Regional Finals, expect points in this state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been 10 years since Kinston won a state championship in 2015. Shelby, a perennial powerhouse, returns to the state championship for the first time since 2021.</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 -->