It's been an interesting and fun road, but we've made it to the regional finals, only one step away from Chapel Hill. We had some interesting games last week. New Bern rolled, racking up 70 points in their win over Rolesville. Weddington defeated A.C. Reynolds in a tough and exciting game there. Grimsley and Hough fought in a classic at Grimsley, where that game went into three overtimes before Grimsley pulled out the victory. There are two regional finals this week, where we'll have to see if they can match the excitement of last week. The analysis and predictions for both finals are below.
East
In this game Millbrook will visit New Bern with a trip to Chapel Hill on the line. In this game, there'll be a contrast of styles.
Millbrook comes in with a passing attack averaging 274 yards per game with 11 interceptions. Their rushing attack averages 117 yards per game, with three fumbles, all of which were lost.
They average 30.75 points per game for the playoffs, while they're giving up 15.25 points per game in the playoffs. Their strength of schedule this season is standing at 16.5.
New Bern is averaging 46.25 points per game while giving up 20.25 points per game. Their strength of schedule stands at 13.1.
New Bern is coming in with a powerful rushing attack, averaging 416.1 yard per game. According to MaxPreps, their rushing attack is lead by Aaronne Herring at 135.4 yards per game and 1,895 yards for the season. He has 27 rushing TDs while averaging a whopping 12.3 yards per carry. Don't think he's the only rusher New Bern has. Along with Herring you have Jayden Wallace who has rushed for 1,208 yards and 15 TDs and Damaree Tucker at 1,145 yards and 15 TDs.
Millbrook is led by receiver Nathan Leacock who's averaging 117.9 receiving yards per game with 23 TDs. In the rushing game Millbrook is lead by Xavier Pugh, who's rushed for 1,049 yards and 22 TDs.
It looks like it could be a competitive game, but New Bern has too much rushing power for Millbrook.
Prediction
New Bern 33 Millbrook 21
West
In this game, we have the Warriors of Weddington travelling to Greensboro, to face the Grimslie Whirlies.
To make it this far, Grimsley faced Davie, Charlotte Catholic, Independence and Hough. They've scored an impressive 48.75 points per game in the playoffs while allowing 35 points per game in the playoffs, with a difference of 13.75 points per game, also for the playoffs. They have a strength of schedule of 21.8.
They come in averaging 282.9 yards per game rushing with no fumbles. They average 178.1 yards per game passing with 6 interceptions.
In the rushing department Grimsley is led by Mitchell Summers who has rushed this season for 149.6 yards per game at 1,945 yards per game and 21 TDs. Right behind him Grimsley's rushing game doesn't have a large drop off with Quarterback Ryan Stephens. He's rushed for 1,003 yards and 24 TDs. In the receiving game they are led by Terrell Anderson with 76.1 yards per game with 12 receiving TDs.
Weddington is coming into the game with a strength of schedule of 22.5, the best among the teams remaining in the playoffs. They're averaging 27.5 points per game in the playoffs, while allowing 14.25 points per game with a difference of 13.25 for the playoffs.
To get this far, Weddington has faced Marvin Ridge, Cox Mill, Northwest Guilford and A.C. Reynolds. It may look on the surface like Weddington hasn't had as tough of a road to the finals, but keep in mind they defeated A.C. Reynolds, who had victories of Chambers and Butler.
Weddington has a fairly balanced attack while rushing for 182.1 yards per game and 222 passing yards per game.
In their rushing game they are very balanced. Wesley Mcelveen has rushed for 499 yards and 1 TD, Nick Diamond has rushed for 573 yards and 9 TDs, and Brady Ritter for 483 yards and 0 TDs. Their rushing attack has been very efficient not giving up any fumbles.
In the passing game, they're led by receiver Evan Gilbert with 852 receiving yards with 9 TDs, Zymill Patterson with 724 receiving yards and 10 TDs and Griffin Reimer with 530 receiving yards and 6 TDs.
All in all, there's no one player to focus on with Weddington. They appear balanced and efficient. Weddington will need to find a way to slow down Mitchell Summers without being burned by Quarterback Ryan Stevens.
This looks like either Grimsley could win by a couple of TDs or the game could be much closer than many expect. The one glaring thing that sticks out is that 35 points per game giving up by Grimsley during these playoffs. If it's true that defense wins championships, can Grimsley go the distance without their defense stepping up? Nevertheless, I expect Grimsley to come out on top.
Prediction
Grimsley 35 Weddington 27
East
In this game Millbrook will visit New Bern with a trip to Chapel Hill on the line. In this game, there'll be a contrast of styles.
Millbrook comes in with a passing attack averaging 274 yards per game with 11 interceptions. Their rushing attack averages 117 yards per game, with three fumbles, all of which were lost.
They average 30.75 points per game for the playoffs, while they're giving up 15.25 points per game in the playoffs. Their strength of schedule this season is standing at 16.5.
New Bern is averaging 46.25 points per game while giving up 20.25 points per game. Their strength of schedule stands at 13.1.
New Bern is coming in with a powerful rushing attack, averaging 416.1 yard per game. According to MaxPreps, their rushing attack is lead by Aaronne Herring at 135.4 yards per game and 1,895 yards for the season. He has 27 rushing TDs while averaging a whopping 12.3 yards per carry. Don't think he's the only rusher New Bern has. Along with Herring you have Jayden Wallace who has rushed for 1,208 yards and 15 TDs and Damaree Tucker at 1,145 yards and 15 TDs.
Millbrook is led by receiver Nathan Leacock who's averaging 117.9 receiving yards per game with 23 TDs. In the rushing game Millbrook is lead by Xavier Pugh, who's rushed for 1,049 yards and 22 TDs.
It looks like it could be a competitive game, but New Bern has too much rushing power for Millbrook.
Prediction
New Bern 33 Millbrook 21
West
In this game, we have the Warriors of Weddington travelling to Greensboro, to face the Grimslie Whirlies.
To make it this far, Grimsley faced Davie, Charlotte Catholic, Independence and Hough. They've scored an impressive 48.75 points per game in the playoffs while allowing 35 points per game in the playoffs, with a difference of 13.75 points per game, also for the playoffs. They have a strength of schedule of 21.8.
They come in averaging 282.9 yards per game rushing with no fumbles. They average 178.1 yards per game passing with 6 interceptions.
In the rushing department Grimsley is led by Mitchell Summers who has rushed this season for 149.6 yards per game at 1,945 yards per game and 21 TDs. Right behind him Grimsley's rushing game doesn't have a large drop off with Quarterback Ryan Stephens. He's rushed for 1,003 yards and 24 TDs. In the receiving game they are led by Terrell Anderson with 76.1 yards per game with 12 receiving TDs.
Weddington is coming into the game with a strength of schedule of 22.5, the best among the teams remaining in the playoffs. They're averaging 27.5 points per game in the playoffs, while allowing 14.25 points per game with a difference of 13.25 for the playoffs.
To get this far, Weddington has faced Marvin Ridge, Cox Mill, Northwest Guilford and A.C. Reynolds. It may look on the surface like Weddington hasn't had as tough of a road to the finals, but keep in mind they defeated A.C. Reynolds, who had victories of Chambers and Butler.
Weddington has a fairly balanced attack while rushing for 182.1 yards per game and 222 passing yards per game.
In their rushing game they are very balanced. Wesley Mcelveen has rushed for 499 yards and 1 TD, Nick Diamond has rushed for 573 yards and 9 TDs, and Brady Ritter for 483 yards and 0 TDs. Their rushing attack has been very efficient not giving up any fumbles.
In the passing game, they're led by receiver Evan Gilbert with 852 receiving yards with 9 TDs, Zymill Patterson with 724 receiving yards and 10 TDs and Griffin Reimer with 530 receiving yards and 6 TDs.
All in all, there's no one player to focus on with Weddington. They appear balanced and efficient. Weddington will need to find a way to slow down Mitchell Summers without being burned by Quarterback Ryan Stevens.
This looks like either Grimsley could win by a couple of TDs or the game could be much closer than many expect. The one glaring thing that sticks out is that 35 points per game giving up by Grimsley during these playoffs. If it's true that defense wins championships, can Grimsley go the distance without their defense stepping up? Nevertheless, I expect Grimsley to come out on top.
Prediction
Grimsley 35 Weddington 27
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