This year’s NCHSAA 4A state championship features a marquee matchup between the undefeated Grimsley Whirlies (15-0) and the explosive Rolesville Rams (14-1) under the lights at UNC’s Kenan Stadium on Friday night.
These two teams aren’t strangers to elite-level football – or to each other. Grimsley handed Rolesville its only loss of the season back in August, a 35-20 decision that set the tone for the Whirlies’ dominant run to the title game. Now, Rolesville has a shot at redemption and its first football state championship in school history.
Grimsley, the top seed from the West, returns to the big stage for the third time since 2020, fueled by a roster packed with star power, including Tennessee-bound quarterback Faizon Brandon and Duke signee Bryce Davis. The fifth-seeded Rams, meanwhile, bring one of the state’s most explosive offenses, led by Mercer-committed QB Braden Atkinson and an assortment of dynamic playmakers.
The rematch and final game of the 4A season carries major stakes and plenty of storylines, with fans expecting fireworks on both sides of the ball.
Here’s a look at 10 things to know about this blockbuster 4A title game, which will kick off NCHSAA football championship weekend:
1. How Grimsley Got Here: The Whirlies from Greensboro blitzed through the regular season unbeaten, outscoring conference foes 360-42 and allowing only one league opponent to score more than 7 points. The playoff run has been more stringent, with Grimsley toughing out a 35-28 win over Hough in the quarterfinals and knocking out defending champ Weddington 35-23 last week in the 4A West title game.
2. How Rolesville Got Here: After the loss to Grimsley in week two, the Rams got on a roll and scored lopsided wins against every opponent – except Cardinal Gibbons. Rolesville needed overtime to defeat the Crusaders in mid-September and prevailed in a back-and-forth 38-31 battle on Friday in the 4A East championship.
3. Rolesville had been ranked No. 1 in the state by HighSchoolOT when it met No. 10 Grimsley the first time on Aug. 30. A receiver who had never made a varsity catch before became the star of the show for the upset-minded Whirlies. Hudson Cooper made four grabs for 200 yards and scored touchdowns on plays covering 52 and 82 yards in the 35-20 triumph. The second TD gave Grimsley a 35-13 lead at the time.
4. 247Sports ranks Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2026. Not just for North Carolina. Not just at quarterback. But for the whole nation, all positions. He is consensus No. 5 overall when looking at all the major recruiting web sites. Brandon, the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year for 2024, had a huge offer sheet, including Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, LSU, Oregon, Ohio State and in-state schools like UNC, NCSU and Duke (as well as hometown NC A&T!).
In August, he committed to Tennessee, telling 247Sports: “They definitely made me a huge priority from the start. That was definitely a big thing that caught my eyes with that. They were the only team that recruited me that hard for as long as they did.” Faizon has thrown for 2,632 yards so far this season, with 33 TDs.
5. Grimsley senior Bryce Davis helps power the stingy defensive unit. Davis, a four-star recruit, initially committed to Clemson but then flipped to Duke, a huge coup for new Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz. Davis averages nearly eight tackles per game and has recorded 17 sacks and 30 quarterback pressures.
6. Big things come in compact packages for the Grimsley rushing attack. Mitchell Summers, a powerhouse runner at 5-8, 165 pounds, has gained more than 2,200 yards on the ground this season with 45 rushing scores. He averages 8.5 yards per carry (!) and 147.1 per game. Summers plowed through a usually stingy Hough defense in the 4A West semifinals for 302 yards. He has not committed to a college team yet but shows a number of D2 offers on his social media. Could be a steal for an in-state D2 program (6,465 career rushing yards, 112 TDs).
7. Though Rolesville High has only been around since 2013, the Rams have already played in one other football state title game. The 2020 Rolesville team advanced to what was then the 4AA (“big 4A”) title game, falling to Vance 35-14. (Grimsley won the “little 4A” title that year).
Cardinal Gibbons knocked Rolesville out of last year’s playoffs in the fourth round. In May, Rolesville football’s Twitter/X account posted the team’s 2024 schedule under the title “Unfinished Business Tour.” The Rams can complete their business on Friday night.
8. The Rolesville offense has piled up more than 5,500 total yards. Quarterback Braden Atkinson makes it go, throwing for 3,627 yards and 50 touchdowns – against only three interceptions. Atkinson threw four TDs against Cardinal-Gibbons on Friday. He committed to Mercer (in Macon, Georgia), coached by former Lenoir-Rhyne boss Mike Jacobs. Mercer just made a run to the FCS quarterfinals.
9. Like Grimsley, Rolesville has a number of players headed to play college football next fall. Senior center Gavin Marks also has signed with Mercer. Senior edge rusher Jayden Fry (54 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss) signed with Boston College. Senior receiver Jaedon Alford, who has 16 TD catches on the season, has inked with Elon.
Other recent football signees include defensive back Jovon Wright (North Carolina Central), offensive lineman Ian Hemilright (Campbell), PJ Hartsfield Jr. (Yale) and defensive end Xavier Lewis (Austin Peay).
Rolesville junior edge Zavion Griffin-Haynes had been committed to UNC but pulled back from that pledge after Mack Brown was let go late last month. He has offers from big-time programs like Notre Dame and Washington, he reports. Will be interesting to see if North Carolina gets back in the mix with Bill Belichick named as head coach last week.
10. Grimsley last played in a state title game in 2022, falling in the 4A finale 40-28 to New Bern. The Whirlies lost to J.H. Rose 21-0 in the 2005 “little 4A” title game.
This will be the last season the NCHSAA uses the four-classification system for sports playoffs. The association will go to an eight-classification system in 2025-26. Unless changes are made, Rolesville will play in 8A next season. Grimsley will be one of the larger 7A schools.
Who will be the last 4A champion under the old system, which has been around since 1971? Kickoff in Kenan Stadium will be 7 p.m. this Friday to decide that question.
