Three state champions will be crowned Friday night in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) football playoffs.
The NCISAA will conclude with title games in Division I, Division II and Eight-Man tournaments.
Division I: Charlotte Christian (7-5) at Providence Day (12-0)
Division II: Asheville School (7-2-1) at High Point Christian (11-0)
Eight-Man: Cary Christian (11-1) vs. Arendell Parrott Academy (12-0)
VIEW FULL BRACKETS: Visit our NCISAA Football Playoff Hub page.
Providence Day Aims To Reclaim State Championship Banner
Providence Day football won NCISAA championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023, but lost in the title game to Rabun Gap from Georgia last November. The Chargers are the top seed in this year’s tournament, boasting a 12-0 record and a 46-20 win over Friday night’s foe, Charlotte Christian, last month.
Providence Day left its mark early in the season, beating NCHSAA 8A foe Rolesville by a 38-10 score and topping visiting Roman Catholic (PA) 29-28 in the season opener.
The Chargers are quarterbacked by Syracuse commit Zaid Lott, who has thrown for 2,291 yards and 32 TDs. Gordon Sellars, a Clemson commit, paces the receiving corps (894 yards, 15 TDs).
Don’t be fooled by Charlotte Christian’s 7-5 record. The Knights played four tough NCHSAA schools to start the season, beating Page (7A) and losing a 1-point game to Independence, a No. 3 seed in this year’s 7A tournament.
Charlotte Christian bounced last year’s champion, Rabun Gap, out of this year’s tournament after losing to them in the regular season. Elliott Newcomb quarterbacks the Knights (2,381 passing yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs). Jamal Rule is a 1,000-yard rusher (1,273 yards, 8.3 yards per carry, 16 TDs).
The Charlotte Christian defense has two brothers with at least 100 tackles – seniors Cohen Kilgannon (117) and Ryder Kilgannon (104).
High Point Christian Stands In Way of Asheville School 4-Peat
Asheville School won NCISAA Division II titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Blues, not the be confused with the Asheville High Cougars who compete in the NCHSAA, will have to go through an undefeated and top-seeded High Point Christian team to earn a fourth straight title.
Asheville School and High Point Christian met Oct. 10, with HPCA prevailing 24-21. Asheville has been on a tear since, beating its last four foes by a 155-21 count – with two shutouts.
Shiloh Mukendi averages 109.4 rushing yards per game for Asheville. He has 12 TDs and seven 100-yard games for the season. Xander Prosper lives in opposing backfields, recording 12 sacks, 15.0 tackles-for-loss and 58 total stops. Alexandre Samson has 81 tackles and 14.0 TFLs.
High Point Christian will be a tough defensive unit to crack. The Cougars have only allowed 98 points in 11 games, with five shutouts. They haven’t surrendered any points since a 61-6 win over South Wake on Oct. 17.
Per MaxPreps, Micah Russell has amassed an amazing 45.0 tackles-for-loss, 19 sacks and 90 total tackles. Teammate Cam Norton has provided 107 tackles and 20 TFLs.
Offensively, High Point Christian rides the hard running of Jaylen Moore, an FBS prospect. The senior has 2,047 rushing yards through 11 games, with 34 rushing touchdowns. No one has kept him under 100 yards this season. He also returns kicks and punts, tallying 2,948 all-purpose yards. Hez Krider adds 693 rushing yards and 14 more scores to the ledger.
Eight-Man Finale Could Be High-Scoring
Arendell Parrott began the season handing Alabama eight-man power Evangel Christian its first loss since 2021. The Patriots fought off all challengers the rest of the way, including a 26-23 win over John Paul II and a 52-38 triumph against Friday’s opponent, Cary Christian.
Friday’s rematch, which will played at John Paul II, could be a shootout, with the teams’ quarterbacks accounting for 67 touchdown passes this season.
Arendell Parrott has outscored opponents 465-201. Christopher Stimson has thrown for 2,207 yards and 34 touchdowns. Top target Ben Barrett has hauled in 55 catches for 1,350 yards and 23 scores. Braxton Loftin-Myers has powered the run game with 1,551 yards and 14 scores.
Brody Kuszyk has posted 95 tackles, including a team-high 26 tackles-for-loss. Brooks Grady leads the team in stops with 100. Mason Mooring has recorded 20.0 TFLs.
Cary Christian edged John Paul II 14-13 in last year’s eight-man title game. The Knights’ lone loss this season came to Arendell Parrott in October.
Reed Harvey has thrown 33 touchdown passes. Cennoth Kalisiak has accounted for 23 touchdowns this season and averages 112.4 receiving yards per game. Marcus Reinalda (8.5 tackles per game) and Andrew Smyrski (8.3 tpg) lead the defense.
Follow NC Football News this Friday night for scores and updates from the three NCISAA state championship games.
🏆 NCISAA Football Defending Champions
11-Man Division I: Rabun Gap (NC/GA)
11-Man Division II: Asheville School
8-Man: Cary Christian School
