In NC high school football’s final regular-season week, a look at conference title hopes

By Alex Bass

October 21, 2023 11:08 AM

Clayton’s Mekhi Foye (37) makes the pass interception against Willow Spring’s Cameron Howard (10) during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Willow Spring Storm met in a conference football game in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. on October 20, 2023. Steven Worthy newsobserver.com

The conference showdown in Greater Neuse River 4A is set for the final week of the season after Clayton and Cleveland each took care of business Friday in the penultimate game of the regular season.

At Willow Spring, quarterback Johnathan Montague and his Clayton crew spoiled Willow Spring’s first-ever senior night with a 49-6 win to remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Comets, behind the highly recruited Montague, have just one loss on the season, a second-week non-conference setback to Holly Springs, which is also 8-1 heading into the final week of the season.

“Our guys have done a great job all year long of taking things week to week,” Clayton head coach Scott Chadwick told reporters after the game Friday. “But this will be a little bit bigger week.”

Clayton and Cleveland have been on a collision course all season, and the in-town rivals will once again meet in the season’s final week to determine the conference champion.

“Obviously a lot on the line, rivalry and everything,” Chadwick said, “but you know, conference championship, high seed in the playoffs, so yeah, it’s going to be a big week.”

Clayton running back Ny’quavious Armston (24) scores the touchdown against Willow Spring’s Josiah Gray )34) during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Willow Spring Storm met in a conference football game in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. on October 20, 2023. Steven Worthy newsobserver.com

Byrd, Cleveland quietly flying high

Meanwhile, back at home, Cleveland quarterback Jackson Byrd threw four first-half touchdown passes in the Rams’ 48-7 win over Garner.

Byrd, who has completed better than 71 percentof his passes, last threw an interception on September 22. Byrd has three 300+ yards passing games, and three more 230-plus yard outings for 9-0 Cleveland.

The Rams’ defense last allowed more than seven points on August 25.

Rolesville quarterback Braden Atkinson (11) scrambles for yardage ahead of Butler’s Jadyn Farmer (90) during the first half. The Rolesville Rams and the Butler Bulldogs met in a non-conference football game in Rolesville N.C. on August 18, 2023. Steven Worthy newsobserver.com

Sorting out Northern Athletic 4A

If Rolesville defeats Heritage next Friday, the Rams (4-0 in league play) win the conference outright. After an explosive 75-27 win over 6-3 Wake Forest on Friday, the Rams have to be feeling pretty good about their chances.

In four conference games to date, Rolesville has not scored fewer than 53 points, and the Rams have not scored fewer than 34 in a game since a 21-19 Week 1 win over Charlotte-area stalwart Butler (8-1). Rolesville’s lone loss came to unbeaten state title favorite Grimsley of Greensboro, and even in defeat the Rams scored 34.

Still, the games must be played. If Heritage can find a way to beat Rolesville, things could become interesting. A Heritage win leaves the Huskies needing Wake Forest to defeat Millbrook (which defeated Heritage 20-14) to claim the league’s No. 1 state playoffs seed.

Heritage and Millbrook wins will yield a three-way tie (including Rolesville) at 4-1, with each team having split games versus the other two. RPI ratings, thus, could come into play.

Apex Friendship in control

A fourth-quarter, two-yard keeper into the end zone by Apex Friendship quarterback Brendan Patience accounted for the lone second-half touchdown in the Patriots’ 30-21 win over Middle Creek.

Apex Friendship improved to 5-1 in the Southwest Wake Athletic 4A Conference, and positioned itself to win the league title next Friday. A win over Green Level (coupled with the Patriots’ 26-21 win over Holly Springs on September 22) would secure a league crown for Apex Friendship.

Leesville Road’s Lyfe Shaw-Stephens (24) celebrates the touchdown against Wake Forest in the second half. The Wake Forest Cougars and the Leesville Road Pride met in a football game in Raleigh, N.C. on September 15, 2023. Steven Worthy

Leesville Road leaves no doubt

Leesville Road’s 64-0 win (Thursday) over Athens Drive positioned the Pride to play for another conference championship.

Leesville Road will visit Cardinal Gibbons (a 63-3 winner at Broughton) next Friday, when the two remaining unbeaten schools in league play will determine a Cap Six 4A conference champion.

Leesville Road is seeking its first post-pandemic league crown. The Pride won the 2019 Cap Six title by its 30-24 win at Cardinal Gibbons. Both schools advanced to state finals (Cardinal Gibbons-4A, Leesville Road-4AA) that fall.

DAC VII

Jordan defeated Northern Durham 49-3, and Hillside defeated Chapel Hill 41-6 to set up next Friday’s Jordan at Hillside, winner-take-all conference championship game.

NCISAA state final in ... Georgia??

Rabun Gap’s 42-27 win Friday at Providence Day (Charlotte) created an almost certain, incredibly unique postseason scenario.

If Eagles advance to the NCISAA Division I state final, then the title game likely will be played in Georgia (at Rabun Gap). The Eagles are 10-0, and also have wins over NCISAA rivals Charlotte Christian and Christ School (Arden).

Rabun Gap will visit Cannon School (another NCISAA rival) next Friday.