For each week of the 2024 high school football season, HighSchoolOT will release the Starting 22. It lists the best performances from every position across North Carolina.

Coaches should send in performance nominations to [email protected] for consideration each week. Now that we are in the playoffs, players can receive a repeat selection if they made one of the regular season lists.

See the Starting 22 from this season’s previous weeks:

Offense

QB — Brady Stober, senior, Hickory

• Stober was sensational in Hickory’s come-from-behind win over Crest. He completed 17 of 23 passing attempts for 478 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception.

RB — Jeremiah Johnson, senior, Pender

• One of the state’s most prolific rushers, Johnson continued his senior season tear with 175 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in the Patriots’ 60-20 win over Gates County.

RB — Rodney Smith, senior, Forest Hills

• After Forest Hills won on the road with a big passing performance in the second round, Smith and the rushing attack paved the way for a round three road win. Smith rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Smith also had nine total tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble on defense.

WR — Sean Brady, senior, Hough

• Arguably the most improved player in the state, Brady had another monstrous game in Hough’s 34-0 shutout over Mallard Creek. Brady had eight catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns.

WR — Jamien Little, senior, Hickory

• The Duke signee caught six passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns as Hickory defeated Crest 63-48 to advance to the fourth round.

FLEX — Isaiah Newkirk, senior, Hoggard

• Newkirk had 24 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Millbrook defense. He was also a huge asset in pass protection.

OL — Michael Gibbs, senior, Hoggard

• The NC State signee was dominant in Hoggard’s 28-21 win over Millbrook in the third round. He made big blocks at the second level. Coach Craig Underwood says he is the best that he’s coached in a long time. He has great feet and is super physical.

OL — Jimmy Randazzo, senior, Weddington

• The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Yale commit played well in Weddington’s 55-0 shutout win over Northern Guilford. He has only given up one sack all year.

OL — Braxton Grace, senior, Forest Hills

• The East-West All-Star Game selection helped Forest Hills rush for 320 yards and two touchdowns as the Yellow Jackets went on the road to beat Salisbury, 38-31.

OL — Zy’Keith Best, senior, Wilson Prep

• The 5-foot-10, 290-pound lineman was the Tigers’ top-graded player as they rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns against North Moore.

OL — Bryce Johnson, sophomore, Weddington

• The sophomore guard is already one of the best linemen around. He has only given up one sack all year.

Check out the Great 58 Statewide Standouts, which does something like this for all of the other fall sports:

Defense

DL — Marshall Chalk, sophomore, Hoggard

• Chalk has had a big sophomore season. Against Millbrook in the third round, he had 11 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

DL — Isaiah Newton, junior, Kinston

• The nose guard stuffed Ayden Grifton’s offense with seven total tackles, five tackles for a loss, and two sacks to hold the Vikings advance to the fourth round.

DL — Cameron Melvin, junior, Cleveland

• Melvin had eight total tackles, four tackles for a loss, a sack, and a huge fumble recovery for a touchdown in Cleveland’s 48-28 win over Jordan.

DL — Zion Demps, senior, Northeastern

• The 220-pound senior had six total tackles and three sacks as Northeastern held West Craven to seven points in the third round.

LB — Jordan Hamm, sophomore, Wilson Prep

• The sophomore outside linebacker had 10 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, and two sacks in Wilson Prep’s 56-22 win over North Moore.

LB — Bryan Charles, senior, Cape Fear

• In a loss to Jacksonville, the 6-foot, 200-pound Charles racked up 17 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble.

LB — Sawyer Lowe, senior, Cleveland

• Lowe had 13 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup in Cleveland’s win over Jordan to advance to the fourth round.

DB — Khamani Bennett, senior, Northeastern

• Bennett had three tackles and an interception in the Eagles’ 42-7 win over West Craven.

DB — Ex’Zavion Croom, junior, Kinston

• The 5-foot-11, 170-pound safety has put up huge numbers as a junior. Against Ayden-Grifton on the road, Croom had six total tackles, a 71-yard interception returned for a touchdown, and a forced fumble.

DB — Xavier Hasan, sophomore, Cardinal Gibbons

• The sophomore grabbed his fifth interception of the year in the Crusaders’ 52-19 win over Hillside.

FLEX — Taeshon Martin, junior, Mount Airy

• Martin had two tackles and two pass breakups as a defensive back in Mount Airy’s 31-23 win over Starmount. On offense, he rushed for 251 yards and three touchdowns.