Two of the best defenses in North Carolina are set to square off in the 2024 N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A football state championship game.

Both teams have forced six shutouts — and they’ve allowed the least points-per-game of any of the eight state championship finalists.

This preview is packed with aspects of this matchup that you should have your eye on.

The ADM discrepancy

A backdrop of West Charlotte’s big run from the No. 8 seed to the state championship has been the reality of the Lions’ ADM advantage.

When the current realignment was being completed, the Lions were rebuilding their school. At the time, they had about half as many students as they have now. The Lions have 2,332 students today, which is top 32 in the NCHSAA. There are more 4A schools with less students than West Charlotte than there are 4A schools with more students. They’ll be one of the first 8A schools in state history when the NCHSAA realigns next year.

Seventy-First has an ADM of 1,608, which is about average. The Falcons will be a 6A team next year. West Charlotte faced some teams that it had twice as many students than.

As the Lions have pointed out, only 11 players can play at once from either team. The 3A state championship rosters are about the same in total number of players. However, where you tend to see the larger population schools have an advantage is in the quality of their second and third string players. With more young men to pick from within the school building, there is a better chance at having quality depth.

The Stars You Need to Know

• DeAndre Nance, senior QB, Seventy-First – No quarterback has won more games in the 2020s than Nance. He has an overall win-loss record of 55-3 since he’s been the starter his freshman year. The dual-threat passer has accumulated 9,352 yards of total offense, 140 total touchdowns, and just eight interceptions over his career.
• Davion Jones, sophomore DB, West Charlotte – A superstar sophomore, Jones is one of the most athletic athletes in all of North Carolina. He’s already racked up multiple Power 4 offers. This season, he has 52 total tackles, seven interceptions, and 12 pass breakups.
• Donavan Frederick, senior RB/LB, Seventy-First – The 255-pound linebacker is one of North Carolina’s most imposing players. He has 3,437 career rushing yards and 31 career rushing touchdowns. As a defender, he has 487 total career tackles, 107 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks.
• Jayson Franklin, junior RB, Seventy-First – The speedy Franklin boasts multiple SEC offers. e has 2,956 career rushing yards and 30 career rushing touchdowns.
• Jamouri Nicolas, sophomore QB, West Charlotte – The young quarterback has been a breakout start this year. He’s thrown for 2,539 yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions while rushing for 561 yards and nine touchdowns.

Coaches Familiar to the Stakes

Seventy-First’s Duran McLaurin led the team to the 3A state championship last year, so the Falcons and McLaurin are well aware of what works and what doesn’t work during the championship week.

West Charlotte coach Sam Greiner was once the head coach at Harding University, where he led the Rams to a 4A state championship in 2017.

West Charlotte’s Offense vs. Seventy-First’s Defense

Jamouri Nichols could be the best quarterback that Seventy-First has faced this year. The best quarterbacks that the Falcons have gone against have tended to be better runners than passers. Nichols is a great runner, but his arm talent and decision-making has been what has shined for a sophomore.

The Falcons’ pass defense has been pretty good, but possibly under-tested. They’ve allowed 5.7 yards per passing attempt, which is the third “worst” of the state finalists. For your average team, that’s a great number.

West Charlotte has some talented guys catching passes on the outside. Junior KD Cotton is a Deebo Samuel-esque wide back who can hurt you across the field. Juniors Donte Nicholson and Rakim Finch have stretched the field very well this year. The Lions could also use their star sophomore defensive back Davion Jones out there. Jones averages 26.2 yards per reception.

The Falcons have good outside corners in Dwight Drew Jr. and Kalen Lucas, but its safeties Christian Jackson and Anthony Watson-Bethea have made the most splash plays and forced the most turnovers.

Seventy-First’s run defense has been astounding. After Jacksonville set the NCHSAA fourth round rushing record with over 500 yards, Seventy-First held the Cardinals to just over 100 yards in the following round. On the season, the Falcons have allowed just 67.8 rushing yards per game and 2.98 rushing yards per carry.

West Charlotte has been cycling running backs this season. Each of them do their own thing well. Last week in the regional final against Hickory, it was sophomore Emory McClain that came up big with a couple of touchdowns. However, the Lions’ best progress on the ground might come from Nichols on scrimmages.

Seventy-First’s run defense is made successful by linebackers like Frederick, Nyrius Moore, and Xaiveon Gear. But it’s a stud at nose guard that might be the most important piece: sophomore John Archer. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Archer has collected impressive offers already – including from Georgia. He’s not just a space-eater, either. Archer has had a habit of making splash plays and providing eye-popping numbers in box scores.

Coaching Corner

• West Charlotte head coach Sam Greiner: Year 4, started in 2021. Overall record: 38-23
  • West Charlotte coordinators: Christopher Coleman (offense), Robert Williams (defense)
  • Other assistants: Donald Littlejohn, Randy Long, Christopher Hooper, Justin Beatty, Jashaun Edwards, and Quinten Ladson
• Seventy-First head coach Duran McLaurin: Year 12, started in 2013. Overall record: 122-34
  • Seventy-First coordinators: Eric Hall (defense), Anthone Harris (special teams)
  • Other assistants: Vaughan Tompkins (RB), Ryan Covert (OL), Kelvonte Smith (LB), Deshean
    Townsend (QB), Sean Henry (Secondary), Julian Mcmillan (RB), Daniel Edmonds (DL), Michael Mackey (Secondary)

Seventy-First’s Offense vs. West Charlotte’s Defense

The Lions’ pass defense had been excellent this season. The rushing defense has been strong too, but not as strong. The Lions have given up an average of nearly four yards a rush, which is second worst of the eight finalists.

That difference could play into Seventy-First’s hands. The Falcons can throw it effectively, but they’d prefer to run it. They have three 1,000-yard rushers: Nance the quarterback, Jayson Franklin, a running back with SEC offers, and Donavan Frederick, a bruising fullback.

The Lions have given up 88.8 rushing yards per game. The defense’s average yards given up per carry are 3.96, which is about one yard higher than what Seventy-First’s defense has done.

West Charlotte has been effective at stopping designed quarterback runs and scrambles this season, but Nance will be the ultimate test for how able they are to corral an athlete at the position.

You have to like West Charlotte’s ability to cover the Seventy-First pass catchers. The Lions have lined up against a bevy of future Power 4 receivers. Seventy-First’s Jy’Tavius Whitted is the clear top receiver, with 48 catches, 748 yards, and nine touchdowns, so he will draw the most attention. Sophomore Shon Pone will play some at wide receiver and will get some carries.

West Charlotte sophomores Sam Johnson and Kaden Smith have broken out on the defensive line this year as both have exceeded 10 sacks.

The Falcons have four seniors on their starting offensive line: Zymeir McPhaul, Zaire Ealy, Ryland Braybill, and Montez Shaw. They’ll hope that these seniors have level of experience to have wins against the younger defensive linemen.

Special Teams

Seventy-First’s Jy’Tavius Whitted is the top receiver and also the punter. He averages 42.5 yards a punt. Nyrus Moore handles the return duties for Seventy-First and does a good job. He has been credited with 327 yards on seven kickoff returns. He also has 204 yards on 11 returns.

Falcons kicker Rodolpho Joseph has connected on 75 of his 80 point after touchdown attempts. He has not been credited with a field goal attempt.

For West Charlotte, Davion Jones is a major threat when he’s back to return. He had 163 yards on his first four kickoff returns this year.