GREENSBORO, N.C. — On a night full of stars — maybe one of the most star-filled games that will be played in North Carolina this year — Grimsley opened its season with a pounding 34-12 victory over Mount Tabor on Friday night at Jamieson Stadium.

Senior running back Mitchell Summers ran for five touchdowns and 165 yards on 25 carries as the 5-foot-6 spark plug back and his offensive line stole the spotlight from the four players on the field sporting three or more stars on their recruiting rankings.

The game featured Whirlies five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, a University of Tennessee recruit and the No.1 overall prospect in the 2026 class, four-star standouts JaDon Blair (Notre Dame) and Snook Peterkin (Virginia Tech) of Mount Tabor, four-star Bryce Davis (Clemson) and three-star D.J. Howerton (uncommitted) of Grimsley.

The Whirlies, ranked 10th in the HSOT statewide poll, fell behind 7-0 in the first two minutes of play but stuck to its ground attack to control the game.

Grimsley, which continues its string of notable clashes next week with a visit to Rolesville, led 20-12 at the half after touchdown runs of 45, 22 and 2 yards from Summers behind the veteran line of seniors Brock Weston, T.J. Bunch, Mekhia Norwood, juniors Neal Johnson and Nick Kashubara and tight ends Howerton and Hudson Cooper.

The 18th-ranked Spartans used big plays from Lane Albright to Peterkin to stay in the game early. A 50-yard bomb set up the game’s first score, a 2 -yard run by Zion Thompson.

Grimsley answered quickly with a nifty 45-yard run from Summers — a misdirection counter that popped wide open. He came back with an 11-yard TD run on the Whirlies’ next drive.

Peterkin countered with a 70-yard scoring catch, running under a long ball from Albright between a trio of Grimsley defenders.

Thompson was one of several players who were limited by injuries on the night. He left the game in the first half and did not return. Blair suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and left the game but returned to play the entire second half.

Summers closed out the first-half scoring with a 2-yard run with 22 seconds left in the half. He added TD runs of 41 and 2 yards in the third quarter.

Brandon was effective when the Whirlies went to the air, finishing the night 15-of-20 for 117 yards. He also added 19 yards rushing.

Peterkin had 120 yards receiving on three catches.

Source: highschoolot.com