The high school football playoffs for North Carolina in 2023 have arrived!

This is a manual for the initial round matches in the 4A East playoffs for HSOT Insiders. Every match is outlined with important information, crucial factors for success, and notable plot points to observe.

(32) Purnell Swett @ (1) Rolesville

The current records are as follows: Rolesville has a 9-1 overall record, with a perfect 5-0 record in the NAC 6 Conference. Purnell Swett has a 5-5 overall record, with a 2-5 record in the United 8 3A/4A Conference.
Common Opponents: N/A

Rolesville High School is ranked No. 3 in the HighSchoolOT Statewide Top 25 and No. 1 in the HighSchoolOT 919 rankings, while Purnell Swett High School is not ranked.

The MaxPreps Rating for Rolesville is 41.7, which is higher than Purnell Swett’s rating of -9.5.

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating shows that Rolesville (14.8) has a higher rating compared to Purnell Swett (-9.3).

Rolesville has an average of 49.7 points per game, which is higher than Purnell Swett’s average of 18.4 points per game.

Rolesville has a higher average total offense per game (526.2 yards) compared to Purnell Swett (243.7 yards).
Rolesville has a lower average of points allowed per game at 19.2, compared to Purnell Swett’s average of 21.1 points allowed per game.

Rolesville begins its journey for the 4A state championship against Purnell Swett, who had a successful season with a 5-5 record and a playoff spot in their first year with head coach Joshua Deese. After losing to Grimsley in week two, it can be argued that only Grimsley has been a more dominant and consistent team in North Carolina. This marks Rolesville’s eighth home playoff game and 18th playoff appearance in the school’s history.

The Rams, based in the southern region, must find a way to impede Devon Thomas, the exceptional junior running back of Rolesville. He has an impressive record of 1,694 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, along with four receptions. Thomas has been performing at a top level among all the running backs in the state and is projected to remain a crucial factor in the team’s offense as the weather gets colder on Friday nights.

The key to Rolesville’s success is adopting a professional mindset towards the game. They must approach it with the same determination and focus as they did in their NAC 6 Conference games and not underestimate the challenge at hand.

(17) Wake Forest @ (16) Garner

Records: Wake Forest 6-4 overall (2-3 NAC 6 Conference), Garner 6-4 overall (4-3 Greater Neuse River Conference)

Garner has a winning record of 3-1 against Wake Forest, who has a record of 2-2.

Wake Forest High School is ranked number 13 in the HighSchoolOT 919 rankings, while Garner High School is not currently ranked.

The MaxPreps Rating shows that Wake Forest (18.1) has a higher rating than Garner (14.4).

Wake Forest has a higher MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating of 13.3 compared to Garner’s rating of 12.7.

In terms of points scored per game, Wake Forest has a higher average with 34.5 compared to Garner’s 16.5.

Wake Forest has a higher average total offense per game (355.1 yards) compared to Garner (231.3 yards).

Garner has a lower average of points allowed per game (19.0) compared to Wake Forest (29.1).

The Tale: An anticipated playoff game between Wake County teams is on the horizon. As is tradition when these two teams clash in November, they share many similarities. Wake Forest and Garner both had impressive victories in non-conference games this year, but their conference performances fell short of expectations. For the first time in his lengthy tenure, head coach Reggie Lucas led Wake Forest to three consecutive losses to end the season. Garner, under new head coach Deron Donald, is hoping to improve after enduring a difficult period in the school’s history.

Wake Forest’s Strategy for Success: The inconsistent secondary for Wake Forest must contain Garner’s top receiver Isaiah Dawson, who has committed to Richmond. Dawson is capable of single-handedly impacting the game, so they cannot allow him any easy chances.

Reworded: Garner’s Strategy for Success: One of the Trojans’ strengths this season has been their ability to defend the run. They must maintain this strength when facing Wake Forest. Despite not relying as heavily on the run as they once did, Wake Forest still prioritizes it as the foundation of their offense, which Garner will face on Friday.

(25) Fuquay-Varina @ (8) Jack Britt

Records: Jack Britt 5-5 overall (5-2 United 8 3A/4A Conference) > Fuquay-Varina 4-6 overall (3-4 Greater Neuse River Conference)
Common Opponents: N/A
HighSchoolOT Ranking: N/A

According to the MaxPreps Rating, Fuquay-Varina (4.5) has a higher rating than Jack Britt (3.2).

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating shows that Fuquay-Varina (11.8) has a higher rating compared to Jack Britt (2.5).

Jack Britt has a higher average of points per game (22.9 PPG) compared to Fuquay-Varina (16.0 PPG).
-Varina

Per game, Jack Britt has a total offense of 291.4 yards. Unfortunately, there are no statistics available for Fuquay-Varina.

Fuquay-Varina allows an average of 23.7 points per game, while Jack Britt allows an average of 23.9 points per game.

Malcolm Ziglar, a highly regarded player committed to UNC, will lead his team, the Bengals, in an attempt to secure an unexpected win against a strong Jack Britt team that finished the regular season on a high note.

The key to winning for Fuquay-Varina is being ready for all aspects of the game, as Jack Britt’s offense has been equally successful passing and rushing.

Jack Britt’s Strategy for Success: This season, the Buccaneers have competed in four games where the outcome was determined by a single score. This valuable experience in close matches, compared to Fuquay’s one, may prove beneficial. To secure a win, Britt must ensure that all 22 players on the field are closely monitoring Ziglar, as he has the potential to dominate the game single-handedly.

(24) Ashley @ (9) Pine Forest

Pine Forest has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses overall, with 6 wins and 1 loss in the All-American 3A/4A Conference. Ashley has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses overall, with 4 wins and 3 losses in the Mideastern 3A/4A Conference.

No shared opponents.

HighSchoolOT’s ranking is not available.

Ashley has a higher MaxPreps Rating (1.7) compared to Pine Forest (-1.9).

Ashley High School has a higher Strength of Schedule Rating of -3.9 compared to Pine Forest High School’s rating of -4.5 on MaxPreps.

Ashley has a higher average of points per game (27.7) compared to Pine Forest (27.6).

Ashley has a higher average total offense per game (324.5 yards) compared to Pine Forest (301.4 yards).
Ashley’s average points allowed per game (20.4 PPG) is lower than Pine Forest’s (27.2 PPG).

Ashley, a team that has been a pleasant surprise in the state, travels to the other side of its area code to face off against Pine Forest, a team accustomed to competing in the playoffs.

Ashley’s Winning Strategy: Throughout this season, Ashley has faced challenges when the Screaming Eagles are at a disadvantage in the beginning. However, if Ashley can establish a strong lead early on, they have demonstrated their capability to dominate possession and ultimately the game.

The key to Pine Forest’s success lies in their ability to balance their rushing and passing game. Although they have had more success on the ground, the Trojans should make an effort to utilize their passing game to score points. Quarterback Nyzir Bostick had a strong performance last week against Overhills, throwing for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

(28) Overhills @ (5) Cardinal Gibbons

Cardinal Gibbons has a record of 8 wins and 2 losses, with a perfect 5-0 record in the Cap-6 Conference. Overhills has a record of 5 wins and 5 losses, with a 5-2 record in the All-American 3A/4A division.

Common opponents: Cardinal Gibbons has a record of 1 win and 0 losses against Overhills, who has a record of 0 wins and 1 loss.

According to the HighSchoolOT Ranking, Cardinal Gibbons is ranked third among high schools in the HSOT 919 area.

The MaxPreps Rating shows that Cardinal Gibbons (29.4) has a higher score than Overhills (-5.4).

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating shows that Cardinal Gibbons (13.1) has a higher rating than Overhills (-2.8).

Cardinal Gibbons has a higher average of points per game (39.4) compared to Overhills (24.9).

Wake Forest has a total offense per game of 355.1 yards, which is greater than Garner’s 231.3 yards per game.

Cardinal Gibbons has an average of 16.5 points allowed per game, while Overhills has an average of 30.3 points allowed per game.

Cardinal Gibbons is optimistic that their winning streak will carry on during the playoffs. After their defeat to Rolesville in week four, the Crusaders have secured victories in six consecutive games, all by a margin of at least 10 points. Overhills had also been on a winning streak of five games before their loss in the conference championship last week.

Cardinal Gibbons’ Strategy for Success: The Crusaders have the potential to score against the Jaguars, who have consistently allowed over 30 points per game. With sophomore quarterback Gannon Jones maintaining his impressive performance (17 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions in five games), the Crusaders are likely to advance to the second round without difficulty.

Garner’s Strategy for Success: Although Overhills has had a strong offensive performance this season, they have also given away possession 20 times. Against the skilled Crusader team, they cannot afford to make turnovers.

(21) Heritage @ (12) Millbrook

Millbrook has a record of 8 wins and 2 losses overall, with a conference record of 4 wins and 1 loss in the NAC 6 Conference. Heritage, on the other hand, has an overall record of 4 wins and 6 losses and a conference record of 3 wins and 2 losses in the NAC 6 Conference.

Shared Foes: Millbrook beat Heritage 4-1 while Heritage won 3-2.

HSOT 919 HighSchoolOT Rankings: Millbrook at No. 5, Heritage at No. 10

The MaxPreps Rating shows that Millbrook (25.5) has a higher rating than Heritage (12.8).

Heritage has a higher Strength of Schedule Rating (19.0) than Millbrook (9.4) on MaxPreps.

Wake Forest has an average of 34.5 points per game, which is higher than Heritage’s average of 23.7 points per game.

Wake Forest has a higher average total offense per game (355.1 yards) compared to Heritage (315.3 yards).

Garner’s defense allowed an average of 19.0 points per game, which is lower than Heritage’s average of 32.8 points per game.

The Narrative: A second encounter between two NAC 6 Conference opponents has the potential to be a top game of the weekend. Just five weeks prior, Millbrook emerged victorious over Heritage with a score of 20-14, thanks to a strong defense in the red zone against the Huskies’ late drive. Despite starting the season with four consecutive losses by large margins, Heritage has shown great performance in their challenging conference. They even achieved a historic win against rival Wake Forest in a close two-point match. Meanwhile, Millbrook secured a 45-42 victory over Wake Forest last week.

The Key to Success for Heritage: Throughout the season, Heritage’s defense has significantly improved and will have to continue their strong performance against Millbrook’s potent passing offense. In the previous game, the Huskies successfully limited Rolesville to under 40 points for the first time since August.

Garner’s Strategy for Winning: In the upcoming rematch against the Huskies, Millbrook’s offense must strive for greater success. Their previous 20-point performance was the lowest scoring game of the season. Although they were able to advance the ball, they struggled to convert their opportunities into points.

(20) South View @ (13) Clayton

Clayton has a record of 8 wins and 2 losses overall, with 6 wins and 1 loss in the Greater Neuse River Conference. South View has a record of 7 wins and 3 losses overall, with 4 wins and 3 losses in the United 8 3A/4A Conference.

This information is not available for common opponents.

According to the HighSchoolOT Ranking, Clayton’s High School is placed fourth with a score of 919, while South View High School is not included in the rankings.

The MaxPreps Rating for Clayton is higher than that of South View.

Clayton has a higher Strength of Schedule Rating of 9.4 compared to South View’s rating of -5.2 on MaxPreps.

Clayton has a higher average of points per game (38.1 PPG) compared to South View (35.3 PPG).

Average offense per game: South View with 377.1 yards, Clayton with no statistics.

Clayton has a lower average of points allowed per game at 14.8, compared to South View’s average of 16.2 points allowed per game.

In the first round of state playoffs, two teams that suffered devastating losses in their conference championship games in week 11 will face each other. Despite both teams coming in second place in their leagues, Clayton will host the game due to their higher RPI rating. Interestingly, this is the only 4A matchup in the first round where both defenses have allowed less than 16.2 points per game.

The secret to South View’s success lies in their ability to manage the game’s time through their star senior running back Christian Rutledge (1,590 yards, 23 TDs) and a fast and effective passing strategy led by junior quarterback Tyriq Clarida (1,660 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs, 59% completion). Clayton’s defensive line has proven to be skilled at rushing the passer this season.

Clayton’s Strategy for Success: The previous week’s defeat for Clayton was particularly disappointing, as the opposing team scored a last-second touchdown to secure the win. In order to succeed, Clayton must be able to put aside any lingering thoughts about the close game and maintain the same level of determination that has brought them this far. With a strong analytical approach, Clayton is likely to come out on top with a solid performance.

(29) South Garner @ (4) Pinecrest

Pinecrest has a record of 10 wins and 0 losses, with a conference record of 6 wins and 0 losses in the Sandhills 3A/4A Conference. South Garner’s record is 5 wins and 5 losses overall, with a conference record of 3 wins and 4 losses in the Greater Neuse River Conference.

Not Applicable: There are no common opponents in this scenario.

The Pinecrest team is ranked 16th in the HighSchoolOT Top 25 and 4th in the HSOT 910 ranking. South Garner does not have a ranking.

The Wake Forest team has a higher MaxPreps Rating (18.1) than the South Garner team (7.5).

The Wake Forest team has a higher Strength of Schedule Rating of 13.3 compared to South Garner’s rating of 5.1 on MaxPreps.

Pinecrest has a higher average of points per game at 36.8 compared to South Garner’s average of 25.6.

Pinecrest has a higher average total offense per game of 369.9 yards compared to South Garner’s average of 298.6 yards.

Pinecrest has allowed an average of 10.5 points per game, while South Garner has allowed an average of 20.1 points per game.

Pinecrest is aiming to maintain its flawless record by securing a win at home in the first round of playoffs against South Garner. Despite never facing a long dry spell for conference championships, Pinecrest has emerged as the victor in its league for two consecutive years.

The key to South Garner’s victory lies in the Ogboko brothers, who are dominant players on both sides of the ball. Nnamdi, a 6-foot-5 nose guard committed to the University of Georgia, and Ekene, a 6-foot-6 offensive tackle, are both physically imposing and stand out in the trenches. While Pinecrest has played tougher opponents, they have yet to face the same level of individual competition in the trenches that these two players bring.

To secure a win, Pinecrest needs to focus on neutralizing the Ogbokos by avoiding Nnamdi on the outside and pressuring the Titans’ quarterbacks from the opposite direction of Ekene’s position.

(30) Chapel Hill @ (3) Hoggard

Hoggard has a record of 9 wins and 1 loss in total, with a perfect 7-0 record in the Mideastern 3A/4A Conference. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses overall, with a 3-2 record in the DAC-VI Conference.

No shared opponents.

According to the HighSchoolOT Ranking, Hoggard is ranked as the 13th best team in the HSOT Top 25, and third best in the HSOT 910 division. Chapel Hill is not ranked.

The Hoggard team has a higher MaxPreps Rating (33.8) compared to Chapel Hill (-3.9).

The Hoggard team has a higher Strength of Schedule Rating (5.3) compared to Chapel Hill’s lower rating (-8.5).

Hoggard has a higher average of points per game (41.3) compared to Chapel Hill (30.0).

Hoggard has a higher average of 246.7 yards per game compared to Chapel Hill’s average of 188.0 yards per game in total offense.

The average number of points allowed per game is higher for Chapel Hill (28.9) compared to Hoggard (9.5).

The Narrative: The Hoggard Vikings are currently boasting their strongest team since their 2007 4A state championship win. Despite a loss to Cleveland, the top 4A East seed, in the first game of the season, the Vikings have remained undefeated. Their exceptional defense has not allowed more than seven points in a game since September 21st. Chapel Hill has faced formidable opponents this year, making them familiar with the level of competition presented by Hoggard. This game may also mark the end of an era for Chapel Hill’s head coach Issac Marsh, who announced his retirement in August.

The key to victory for Chapel Hill is to successfully manage turnovers. When facing a significant power difference, the best way to level the playing field is to prioritize ball protection and force the stronger team to make mistakes.

Hoggard’s strategy for winning is to use senior quarterback Hudson Wilharm’s passing skills to take an early lead. Chapel Hill, a team that relies heavily on running the ball, is not well-suited for coming from behind.

(19) Jordan @ (14) Holly Springs

Holly Springs has a record of 9 wins and 1 loss overall, with 6 wins and 1 loss in the SWAC Conference. Jordan has a record of 7 wins and 3 losses overall, with 4 wins and 1 loss in the DAC-VI Conference.

Cannot reword.

According to the HighSchoolOT rankings, Holly Springs holds the 6th spot in HSOT 919 while Jordan is not listed.

According to the MaxPreps Rating, Holly Springs (22.2) has a higher score than Jordan (19.4).

Holly Springs has a higher MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating (1.2) compared to Jordan (-3.0).

Jordan scored an average of 48.5 points per game, while Holly Springs scored an average of 34.6 points per game.

Jordan has a higher total offense per game of 383.0 yards compared to Holly Springs’ 336.5 yards.

Jordan has a lower average of points allowed per game (16.2 PPG) compared to Holly Springs (17.7 PPG).

The Background: At various times during the season, these two teams have both been included in the HSOT Statewide Top 25 rankings. Jordan recently suffered a defeat to Hillside in the DAC Conference championship game, as expected. Holly Springs, on the other hand, tied for first place but holds the second seed in the SWAC due to their loss to Apex Friendship. This upcoming game between two Wake County teams is likely to be one of the most uncertain and unpredictable matches of the weekend.

Jordan’s Winning Strategy: Avoid repeating last week’s mistakes.

Holly Springs’ Key to Victory: For a team that has had inconsistent results this season, Jordan is remarkably consistent and balanced on offense. Senior quarterback Julian Littleton has thrown for 1,640 yards, 22 TDs, and 1 INT and junior running back Amareon Blue has rushed for 1,688 yards and 31 touchdowns. Both components of Holly Springs defense needs to be at their best against the Falcons.

(27) Southeast Raleigh @ (6) Apex Friendship

Apex Friendship has a record of 8 wins and 2 losses overall, with 6 wins and 1 loss in the SWAC Conference. Southeast Raleigh has a record of 5 wins and 5 losses overall, with 3 wins and 4 losses in the Greater Neuse River Conference.

Shared opponents: Apex Friendship defeated Southeast Raleigh 1-0 while Southeast Raleigh lost to Apex Friendship 0-1.

According to the HighSchoolOT rankings, Apex Friendship holds the 9th spot in HSOT 919, while Southeast Raleigh is not currently ranked.

The MaxPreps Rating for Apex Friendship (12.1) is higher than that of Southeast Raleigh (7.8).

The Strength of Schedule Rating for Southeast Raleigh (8.2) is higher than that of Apex Friendship (-0.6) on MaxPreps.

Apex Friendship has an average of 27.5 points per game, while Southeast Raleigh has an average of 18.4 points per game.

Apex Friendship has a higher average total offense per game (211.0 YPG) compared to Southeast Raleigh (197.0 YPG).

Apex Friendship has a lower average of points allowed per game (18.2 PPG) compared to Southeast Raleigh (20.4 PPG).

The Apex Friendship Patriots have emerged as champions of the SWAC for the second time and are determined to redeem themselves after their first-ever home playoff loss to Pinecrest in the spring of 2021. Thanks to the leadership of Edwin Campbell, Southeast Raleigh has improved and secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Considering the strength of their respective conferences, these teams may possess similar abilities despite their rankings.

The key to Southeast Raleigh’s success will be to limit Apex Friendship’s passing game. This season, Apex Friendship has shown better efficiency in their passing game compared to their rushing game, thanks to their quarterback Brendan Patience who has a 72.7% completion rate and averages 8.3 yards per attempt. Additionally, their group of strong receivers has contributed to their success. If the Bulldogs are able to force the Patriots to rely more on their running game, they may have a higher chance of winning as Friendship only averages 4.5 yards per rush.

Reworded: The key to Apex Friendship’s victory will be their strong defense, as seen against Holly Springs and Middle Creek where they only allowed 21 points from both teams. If they maintain this level of defense and avoid a repeat of their game against Apex where they allowed 38 points, the Patriots will have a smoother game against Southeast Raleigh.

(22) Middle Creek @ (11) Laney

Laney has an overall record of 8 wins and 2 losses, with a conference record of 6 wins and 1 loss in the Mideastern 3A/4A Conference. Middle Creek has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, with a conference record of 5 wins and 2 losses in the SWAC Conference.

No shared adversaries.

According to the HighSchoolOT rankings, Laney holds the sixth spot in HSOT 910 while Middle Creek ranks twelfth in HSOT 919.

Laney has a higher MaxPreps Rating of 23.5, compared to Middle Creek’s rating of 10.6.

The Laney team has a higher MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating (4.7) compared to Middle Creek’s rating (2.1).

Laney’s average points per game (36.2 PPG) is higher than Middle Creek’s (33.6 PPG).

Laney has a higher total offense per game average of 399.1 yards compared to Middle Creek’s average of 371.9 yards.

Laney has a lower average number of points allowed per game (13.5 PPG) compared to Middle Creek’s average (21.9 PPG).

The Narrative: In Wilmington, two teams led by junior players who came in second place in their conferences aim to become the underdog team of the 2023 4A East playoffs.

The key to winning for Middle Creek is to utilize their standout junior wide receiver Braylon Stewart frequently and from the beginning. Stewart has an impressive record of 65 catches, 1,119 yards, and 16 touchdowns this season. During the September game against Hoggard, their wide receiver Aniziyon Session had a strong performance (five receptions, 116 yards, two touchdowns) in the Vikings’ dominant victory.

Laney’s Strategy for Success: Dominating the defensive line with Jaylin McZeke causes problems for Middle Creek’s offense throughout the game, while the dynamic junior duo of quarterback Kolbe Little and wide receiver Hampton Roderick dominate in the air and give the Bucs an early lead.

(26) New Hanover @ (7) Hillside

The Hillside team has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses overall, and a perfect 5-0 record in the DAC-VI Conference. However, they have a record of 5 wins and 5 losses overall, and a 4-3 record in the Mideastern 3A/4A Conference.

There are no shared opponents in common.

Hillside is currently positioned at No. 14 in the HighSchoolOT ranking for the 919 area, while New Hanover does not have a ranking.

Hillside has a higher MaxPreps Rating (7.8) compared to New Hanover (2.5).

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating shows that New Hanover (3.9) has a higher rating than Hillside (-0.7).

Hillside has a higher average of points per game at 27.1 compared to New Hanover’s 22.2.

New Hanover has a higher Total Offense Per Game of 274.3 yards compared to Hillside’s 201.7 yards.

Hillside allows an average of 19.5 points per game, while New Hanover allows an average of 23.8 points per game.

The Narrative: In a surprising turn of events, Hillside’s new coach, Torrey Nowell, led his team to a remarkable 41-35 victory over Jordan in the DAC Conference finals. This win not only secured the conference title for Hillside, but also significantly improved their playoff ranking by about 20 positions. Despite a slow start with a record of 1-4, Hillside has now won five consecutive games. On the other hand, New Hanover had a promising start to the season but has not yet reached its full potential.

The key to New Hanover’s success is to get their senior running back, Caden Morton, back in top form. In the previous season, Morton had an impressive 1,386 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. However, this year, he has only managed 667 yards and nine touchdowns. If New Hanover can match their ground game performance from last year, they will have a greater chance of winning in a game where possession is crucial.

Hillside’s Strategy for Success: Utilize the support of their home crowd and maintain the positive momentum from the end of the season. Keep building on the progress of the offense throughout the season.

(23) Apex @ (10) New Bern

The current standings are as follows: Apex has a record of 7 wins and 3 losses overall, with 5 wins and 2 losses in the SWAC Conference. New Bern has a record of 4 wins and 6 losses overall, with 4 wins and 2 losses in the Big Carolina 3A/4A Conference.

Opponents shared by both: Not Applicable

The HighSchoolOT Ranking shows that Apex holds the No. 8 spot in the HSOT 919 area, while New Bern ranks No. 6 in the HSOT 252 area.

New Bern has a higher MaxPreps Rating (23.5) compared to Apex (6.4).

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating shows that New Bern (0.7) has a higher rating than Apex (-3.9).

New Bern has a higher average of points per game (39.0) compared to Apex (36.4).

In terms of total offense per game, Apex (382.5 yards) outperforms New Bern (336.9 yards).

New Bern has allowed an average of 15.1 points per game, while Apex has allowed an average of 23.6 points per game.

Reworded: The narrative: The top-ranked team in the HSOT Top 25 Statewide poll is feeling slighted after the NCHSAA revoked their 2022 4A state championship title and forced them to forfeit five wins this season due to playing academically ineligible players. Despite their initial goal of hosting a playoff game, Apex will now have to face a formidable opponent on the road, who may be stronger than their 4-6 record suggests.

The key to success for Apex is relying on their running back, Jayvion Danzy, who has gained 1,707 yards and scored 24 touchdowns this season. Additionally, they should target the deep middle of the field by utilizing tight end Kaleb Morrow. New Bern’s defense is lacking a top-notch safety, making this area vulnerable.

New Bern’s Strategy for Success: Take control of the line of scrimmage. New Bern is fortunate to have some experienced offensive linemen returning from their previous state championship season. This unit will need to continue their dominant performance if the Bears hope to make a comeback.

(18) Richmond @ (15) Leesville Road

Leesville’s record is 8 wins and 2 losses overall, with a conference record of 4 wins and 1 loss in the Cap-6 Conference. Richmond’s record is 5 wins and 5 losses overall, with a conference record of 5 wins and 1 loss in the Sandhills 3A/4A Conference.

Shared Foes: Both squads have a record of 0-1 when facing Cardinal Gibbons.
–

According to the HighSchoolOT rankings, Leesville holds the 7th spot in the 919 division.

Leesville has a higher MaxPreps Rating (22.8) compared to Richmond (14.3).

The MaxPreps Strength of Schedule Rating indicates that Richmond (13.8) has a higher rating than Leesville (2.8).

Leesville has a higher average of points per game (40.9 PPG) compared to Richmond (25.2 PPG).

Leesville has a higher average total offense per game (358.4 yards) compared to Richmond (282.7 yards).

Leesville has allowed an average of 12.3 points per game, while Richmond has allowed an average of 25.8 points per game.

Reworded: Richmond has had a tough start to their season, losing four games to conference-winning teams. However, they are currently on a four-game winning streak and are considered one of the strongest teams in the state entering the playoffs. On the other hand, Leesville’s season has been more consistent but they are coming off a disappointing loss in the Cap-6 Conference championship game. The question remains, will Leesville’s consistency lead them to victory or will Richmond’s experience against tougher opponents give them an edge?

Victory Strategy for Richmond: The young defense of Richmond must demonstrate significant growth over the course of the season. Leesville Road utilizes a well-rounded offensive strategy, with 1,858 passing yards and 1,726 rushing yards.

The key to Leesville Road’s victory lies in stopping senior running back Jaliel Green. In the five games that Richmond has won this season, Green has managed to rush for a minimum of 127 yards. However, in the games where the Raiders have suffered defeat, Green’s rushing yards have been limited to 68 or less.

(31) Gray’s Creek @ (2) Cleveland

Cleveland has a perfect record of 10 wins and 0 losses, with a conference record of 7 wins and 0 losses in the Greater Neuse River Conference. Gray’s Creek has a record of 5 wins and 5 losses overall, with a conference record of 2 wins and 5 losses in the United 8 3A/4A Conference.

There are no shared opponents.

According to the HighSchoolOT Ranking, Cleveland holds the 10th spot in the HSOT Top 25 and is ranked second in HSOT 919. On the other hand, Gray’s Creek did not make the list.

The MaxPreps Rating for Cleveland is higher than Gray’s Creek.

According to MaxPreps’ Strength of Schedule Rating, Cleveland (8.6) has a higher rating than Gray’s Creek (-5.2).

Cleveland has a higher average of points per game (43.3 PPG) compared to Gray’s Creek (33.3 PPG).

The average amount of offense per game is higher for Cleveland (426.4 yards) compared to Gray’s Creek (392.2 yards).

Cleveland has an average of 9.7 points allowed per game, which is lower than Gray’s Creek’s average of 35.8 points allowed per game.

In the past five years, the Rams have had an impressive record of 56 wins and 8 losses. Despite their program’s history of success, Cleveland has not yet reached a state championship game. However, they are hopeful that this year’s team has the potential to make it happen. To achieve this goal, they must start strong in their first round game on Friday night.

The key to Gray’s Creek winning is their strong running game, despite their less impressive defensive stats. They have an average of 350.3 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns this season. If they can continue to run effectively against Cleveland’s tough defense, they have a chance to dominate the game and control the time of possession.

The key for Cleveland to win is to prevent a decline in performance following their exciting last-minute win against rival Clayton. Gray’s Creek’s defensive performance has been weak this season, so it is important for Cleveland to start strong and secure an early lead.

Source: highschoolot.com