CHAPEL HILL – East Duplin held off a tough challenge from Reidsville, edging the Rams 24-21 on Saturday to win its first state championship in school history. Avery Gaby powered the East Duplin rushing attack, carrying the ball 37 times for 184 yards and a touchdown on his way to being named the 2-A Most Valuable Player.
East Duplin finished the season at 15-1. The Panthers won the East Central 2-A and beat James Kenan, Clinton, Whiteville and Wallace-Rose Hill among its six postseason wins.
Reidsville finished the season 14-2. The Rams appeared in the school’s 26th state championship g, the most by any program in NCHSAA History.
1-A: Mount Airy 20, Tarboro 7
RALEIGH – The Mount Airy Granite Bears started hot and rode a strong defensive performance to a victory over Tarboro on Saturday. The victory gives Mount Airy seven state championships all-time and was the Granite Bears’ first title since the 2008 championship.
Tyler Mason carried 23 times for 139 yards and all three Bears touchdowns on his way to being chosen as the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Mount Airy concluded the year 15-1. Tarboro wrapped the season at 13-2 and won the school’s 13th regional title, reaching the state championship game for the sixth straight year.
3-A: East Lincoln 30, Northern Nash 15
RALEIGH – East Lincoln collected the school’s third state championship, rolling past Northern Nash on Saturday. The win was East Lincoln’s first state championship victory since 2014.
East Lincoln quarterback Tyler Mizell was very efficient in the passing game, completing 16 of his 23 attempts for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also scampered for 34 yards in the game, winning the Most Valuable Player honors.
Christopher Mileta kicked field goals of 34, 24 and 30 yards for the victorious Mustangs, who went 16-0.
Northern Nash finished the year 15-1. The Knights won the program’s second regional championship.
4-A: New Bern 40, Greensboro Grimsley 28
CHAPEL HILL – The New Bern Bears captured the school’s fourth state championship, their first since 2014, defeating Grimsley on Friday. New Bern is the first team to win a championship game without attempting a pass since Tarboro won the 1-AA championship in 2017 over Mount Airy without throwing.
The New Bern defense stifled the Grimsley offense, holding the Whirlies’ explosive offense to just 257 yards of total offense and just 102 yards passing.
New Bern had 394 rushing yards, led by Aronne Herring, who had 161 yards and the ground and scored twice, and Damaree Tucker, who ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
New Bern finished the season with a 16-0 record. Grimsley was 15-1.
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