Undefeated Monroe, Northeastern will clash for NCHSAA 2A state championship

The final NCHSAA state championship game of the weekend will feature the only match-up of undefeated opponents. Monroe (14-0) and will face Northeastern (15-0) for the 2A state title on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at UNC’s Kenan Stadium.

Monroe comes in as the No. 3 seed from the 2A West, a testament to the strength of this side of the bracket this season. Traditional powers Reidsville and Shelby were the top two seeds. Northeastern is the top seed from the 2A East.

Here are 10 things to know about the third of three power-packed NCHSAA state championship games being played on Saturday to wrap up the 2024 season:

1. How Monroe got here: The Redhawks were bounced from the 2023 state tournament in painful fashion, 29-28 to Bunker Hill in round three. They haven’t lost since. Virtually every game has been a blowout with scores like 62-0, 63-0, 55-6, 55-0, 56-0, 55-7, 69-0. Games have been less lopsided deeper into the playoffs, but the wins continue to mount. Monroe knocked out No. 2 Shelby 41-23 on Dec. 6 and raced paced Brevard 41-15 in last week’s 2A West title game.

2. How Northeastern got here: Like Monroe, the Eagles dominated much of the competition this season, especially in conference play (7-0). J.H. Rose gave Northeastern a test in August before succumbing 47-40. James Kenan scored 28 points in the fourth round of the playoffs, but the Eagles countered with 46 to advance. 

Northeastern went undefeated in last year’s regular season before losing to Clinton in the 2A East final. The Eagles’ last regular season loss came on Sept. 1, 2022 to Rose, 48-26.

3. Monroe is trying to add a second state championship trophy to its collection. The Union County school won the 2015 crown, defeating Bunn from Franklin County in the 2AA finale 38-19. Monroe has been playing football for more than a century and has appeared in three other state title games – losing to Chapel Hill 14-0 in 1920, falling to Clayton 16-0 in the 2A game in 1989 and dropping a 15-14 decision to High Point Andrews in the 2AA contest in 2013.

4. Two-way standout Jordan Young has been a starter for four years. Monroe’s senior defensive back/receiver got promoted to starter as a freshman when a teammate suffered an injury. He never gave up his spot. Young initially committed to Clemson earlier this year but flipped to Michigan on signing day. He has 18 career interceptions. This season he has 47 tackles, seven picks and two fumble recoveries. He also leads Monroe in receiving yards (759) with nine touchdowns.

5. Long-time Monroe coach Johnny Sowell is no stranger to titles. Sowell has spent nearly four decades as a coach at his alma mater. Per the Charlotte Observer, he has won state titles in football, boys basketball and boys track & field. 

6. Quarterback Kaegan Chambers has put up solid numbers as a passer and rusher for the Redhawks. The senior has thrown for 1,816 yards and 19 touchdowns (only two interceptions). He also leads Monroe in rushing with 1,115 yards and 18 TDs. Chambers has enjoyed four 100+ yard rushing games this season. Against Brevard last week, he had multiple runs of 70+ yards and another of 44.

7. Northeastern ended Whiteville’s dream season last Friday night. Whiteville, the No. 2 seed, had been on its best run in decades, making the Eastern final for the first time since 1987. But Northeastern dashed the Wolfpack’s historic season, 24-14, to get to the state title game for the fifth time in its history and first time since 2019. The win came on head coach Antonio Moore’s 52nd birthday.

8. Northeastern is looking for its second official state title in football. The Elizabeth City school won a 1969 NCHSAA East Region championship over Lumberton, which is now considered a state title by the athletic association since that was as deep into the playoffs as Northeastern could go at the time. The Eagles lost back-to-back championship games to Reidsville in 2018 and ‘19.

9. Northeastern has outscored foes 735-151 this season, averaging 49 points per game. The Eagles have only played a handful of tight games. They’ve gotten a lot of their points courtesy of gunslinging senior quarterback Trevaris Jones, who has thrown for 3,745 yards and 42 touchdowns. Jones has only three interceptions on the season and completes 74.6 percent of his passes. Wide receiver Tyell Saunders has accounted for 25 touchdowns. Ty’jae Simpson has added another 12.

10. The Northeastern defense can be salty, recording 48 sacks for 325 yards in losses. Senior Zion Demps leads the way with 12 sacks. Teammate Maurice Bowser is the top tackler with 128 stops, 8.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. Khamani Bennett has picked off five passes. Carren Armstrong has caused three fumbles and recovered five. 

2A NCHSAA Football Playoffs Interactive Bracket

Click HERE for our 2A high school playoff bracket page

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Eric Lusk Publisher & Editor

Eric Lusk started NC Football News in 2023. He's an old newspaper guy with a fondness for underdogs, redemption stories and the triple-option offense. He's a proud graduate of Jesse O. Sanderson High School and UNC's School of Journalism. He's thankful for God's mercy, family and second chances.

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