North Carolina High School Football Championship Week!
By David Glenn
North Carolina Sports Network
NOTE: This weekend’s four state championship games are listed below and previewed in the accompanying video.
Class 4A
Greensboro Grimsley (15-0) vs. Rolesville High (14-1)
Friday, 7 p.m. Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
This big-time contest, in North Carolina’s top classification, is a 2024 rematch between a school that’s been around for more than 100 years (Grimsley) against one that opened just 11 years ago (Rolesville).
It also features two of the state’s top high school quarterbacks, Faizon Brandon of Grimsley and Braden Atkinson of Rolesville.
A 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior who made an early commitment to Tennessee, Brandon ranks among the top prospects — at any position — in the Class of 2026 nationally. He has completed 157 of 204 passes (77 percent) this season for 2,632 yards, 33 touchdowns and only one interception, while also running 69 times for 588 yards and eight TDs.
A 6-1, 200-pound senior, Atkinson has completed 229 of 327 passes (70 percent) this season for 3,627 yards, 50 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He has signed with Mercer, an on-the-rise program in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) ranks.
When these teams played in August, Grimsley claimed a 35-20 victory, slowing a Rolesville offense that has scored 30 or more points in each of its other games this season.
The Whirlies provide Brandon with an amazing supporting cast, including running back Mitchell Summers (2,207 yards, 45 touchdowns), wide receivers Kaden Catoe and Hudson Cooper, tight end DJ Howerton and defensive lineman Bryce Davis (a Duke signee).
The Rams’ prolific offense surrounds Atkinson with running backs Devon Thomas and Amir Brown, plus wide receivers Jordan Alford, AJ Roberts and Gavin Waddell.
Grimsley, now led by coach Darryl Brown, previously won North Carolina’s Class 4A football championship in 1960 and again during the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season. Rolesville, led by coach Ranier Rackley, is seeking its first state title on the gridiron.
Class 3A
West Charlotte (12-2) vs. Fayetteville Seventy-First (15-0)
Sat., 11 a.m., Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Class 2A
Monroe High (14-0) vs. Elizabeth City Northeastern (15-0)
Sat., 6:30 p.m., Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
Class 1A
Corvian Community (15-0) vs. Tarboro High (13-1)
Sat., 3 p.m., Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh
