Reidsville bills itself as the “Football Capital of NC.”
It’s hard to argue with that moniker considering the high school football team’s run of success over the past century.
The Reidsville Rams hoisted another state championship trophy on Saturday afternoon at NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium, beating Clinton 28-18 in the 2A finale.
Al Lee threw four touchdown passes, and Kendre Harrison caught two of them, one in each half. Dionte Neal and Cam’ron Jones added the other two TD receptions as the Rams finished 15-1.
Reidsville claims 23 state championships in football, dating back to the 1930s — tops of any high school football program in North Carolina. The Rams made it a preseason goal to win state title No. 23 in 2023 and achieved that aim in convincing fashion. The Rams never trailed and took a 14-3 lead at the break.
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Clinton (15-1) refused to go quietly, getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Amaris Williams in the third quarter and a 17-yard Williams TD reception with 5:32 left.
Lee completed 17 of 27 passes for 258 yards. Neal finished with 102 receiving yards for Reidsville on eight catches, while Harrison had 95 yards on five. Jariel Cobb powered the running game with 145 yards on 24 carries.
Clinton’s Josiah Robinson picked up 110 yards on eight carries. Williams finished with 77 rushing yards and 17 in receptions.
Paul Widerman had a 17-yard sack for Reidsville’s defense. Teammate Aidan Mansfield added nine tackles. The Clinton defense was led by Jayden Williams, who wracked up 12 tackles and broke up a pass.
According to ReidsvilleFootball.com, Reidsville has appeared in 30 state championship games in its history, counting this season. Reidsville lost to East Duplin 24-21 in last year’s 2A title game, giving returning players and newcomers motivation for this season.
The Rams won three NCHSAA state championships in a row from 2007-09 and again in 2018-20. The school’s first state championship came in 1930, a 20-7 decision over Apex. Reidsville won again in 1931 and 1932, and a dynasty was born. The Rams have claimed five titles since 2016, with two runner-up finishes.
