. Al Lee’s 2023 postseason performance will be unforgettable.
The victory of Reidsville over Clinton in the 2023 N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state championship was a defining moment for quarterback Al Lee’s career.
The 6-foot-3 senior quarterback became the starter during his sophomore year, but unfortunately fell short of his ultimate goal in the following two years. In 2021, Reidsville and Lee were eliminated by Shelby in the fourth round. In 2022, Lee led his team to the state championship as a junior, but they were defeated by a more experienced East Duplin team. Lee also faced the added pressure of losing in last year’s 2A basketball state championship.
After another attempt, Lee had an impressive run as a quarterback during the playoffs.
During the six games of the playoffs, Lee had a passing completion rate of 72.9%, totaling 1,617 yards, 21 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He consistently threw for at least 215 yards and three touchdowns in each round. His average yards per game during the playoffs was 269.5.
Lee’s best performance may have been in the 2A West final against the Shelby team that had previously eliminated him and his team during his sophomore year. In this game, the senior quarterback completed 22 out of 29 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns. Despite Shelby’s strong record, Reidsville was able to dominate and come out with a victory.
According to head coach Erik Teague, Al has shown significant improvement since his freshman year when he first joined our campus. Over the course of three years, he has developed into a strong leader and player. Coach Teague also commended Al for his exceptional performance in the last six games, which ultimately led the team to the state championship. The coach expressed his admiration for Al’s hard work and accomplishments.
On December 9, 2023, the Reidsville Rams faced off against the Clinton Dark Horses in the NCHSAA 2A state championship game at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. In the end, Reidsville emerged as the victor with a score of 28-18. (Photo credit: Ray Black III)
Lee was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2A title after throwing 258 yards and four touchdowns on 17-of-27 attempts. Reidsville emerged victorious over Clinton with a final score of 28-18.
Lee ended his time as the top passer in Reidsville’s history, with 9,245 yards and 123 touchdown passes.
When asked about his accomplishments in his career, Lee expressed gratitude to his teammates and acknowledged the higher power for their success. He also mentioned that their style of playing is influenced by Reidsville football.
Source: highschoolot.com