All-time top 2A teams

[Deana_King]

Fun topic that should get a lot of attention and comments. Now, I know some teams have played some years in different classifications, but this is for their time in 2A.

Who are the top 2A programs of all-time?

I will post my list later, but Shelby is at the top.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

Reidsville has been 2A since 1997 and has 9 titles in 12 appearances. Made the final 4 on 5 occasions as well.

 

[Mopar forever]

Shelby and Reidsville…… you can argue about who’s 1st and 2nd but thats the best 2a teams

 

[Darkhorse#34]

In terms of championships and consistency i would have to agree it’s basically a two team discussion between Shelby and Reidsville

 

[rambbq]

Reidsville has been 2A since fall of 1997...the record in that time frame thru this past season is 327 Wins and 51 Losses.....NINE state title and THREE state runner-up...pretty sure Shelby's numbers are comparable.......................plenty of great teams in 2A but since "97 these 2 are the standard bearers..........

 

[Vik-Val 86]

Maiden is a good tradition team with multiple wins

 

[Wizard of the East]

DarkHorses

 

[Chopper747]

After the cleveland county pu$$y cats and the Reidsville goats, I would say Monroe, then Lincolnton/Maiden, then Clinton

Honorable mention: East Lincoln, SWO, WRH, ED

 

[TheMule]

Reidsville has been 2A since 1997 and has 9 titles in 12 appearances. Made the final 4 on 5 occasions as well.

Nope. We were 2A long before 1997. 1954 team was 2A when there were only three classifications.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

Nope. We were 2A long before 1997. 1954 team was 2A when there were only three classifications.

That's fantastic Mule!

However, you made need to get those glasses checked. My comment was about the accomplishments as a 2A team since 1997, and reflected no care or concern about previous instances of being a 2A team.

 

[2nd To None]

Nice try, Reidsville faithful.
To your credit, you are forced to reference Shelby.

But the gap is really not that close.

We could begin and end with the generally accepted tie breaker… head to head.
Shelby leads 4-1, and three of Shelby’s wins were not even close.
But what is almost as compelling is how the subclassifications in 2A has allowed Reidsville to dodge more head to head playoff meetings against Shelby and others.
In three of Reidsville’s Title years since 2002, Shelby was dominating in the other 2A subclass and running away with the Title. (2016,18, and 19)
In two (2002,2003) of Reidsville other Title years, Burlington Cummings made the other subclass 2A Title game, winning one of them. The year BC lost the Title game, they had already beaten Reidsville during the regular season.
That is 5 of their 9 Titles they could have easily never obtained.

Following up on 2A classifications and subclasses, there have been opportunities for both Reidsville and Shelby to win united 2A Titles with no subclasses.
Shelby has won two such titles in 1998 and 2021, and was runnerup in 1997.
Reidsville lost its only unified 2A Title game in 2022.
As a matter of fact, Reidsville has never won a State Title where subclasses or rival associations did not dilute the field.

And for those unaware of it, Shelby had previously ALSO dominated the 3A ranks, with 7 Championship Titles in 10 Appearances from 1968 to 1988.
Reidsville was absent from even a Championship Game appearance from 1971 to 2001….31 consecutive recent seasons.

 

[TheMule]

That's fantastic Mule!

However, you made need to get those glasses checked. My comment was about the accomplishments as a 2A team since 1997, and reflected no care or concern about previous instances of being a 2A team.

Or maybe you need a remedial course in how to write. You wrote "Reidsville has been 2A since 1997..." Perhaps you meant to write " Since 1997 Reidsville has won 9 2A titles..."

Eyes are just fine. Got em checked just a couple of months ago. Appreciate you concerns.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

Or maybe you need a remedial course in how to write. You wrote "Reidsville has been 2A since 1997..." Perhaps you meant to write " Since 1997 Reidsville has won 9 2A titles..."

Eyes are just fine. Got em checked just a couple of months ago. Appreciate you concerns.

Pretty sure I meant to write what I did, which is the factually correct statement of "Reidsville has been 2A since 1997 and has 9 titles in 12 appearances. Made the final 4 on 5 occasions as well."

Not sure your issue with that is other than trying to be a know-it-all and adding your little burp about 1954. Which, dont get me wrong, is a nice little nugget of information I did not know. But again, not sure what that has to do with my comment on what the Rams have accomplished in 2A since 1997.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

Nice try, Reidsville faithful.
To your credit, you are forced to reference Shelby.

But the gap is really not that close.

We could begin and end with the generally accepted tie breaker… head to head.
Shelby leads 4-1, and three of Shelby’s wins were not even close.
But what is almost as compelling is how the subclassifications in 2A has allowed Reidsville to dodge more head to head playoff meetings against Shelby and others.
In three of Reidsville’s Title years since 2002, Shelby was dominating in the other 2A subclass and running away with the Title. (2016,18, and 19)
In two (2002,2003) of Reidsville other Title years, Burlington Cummings made the other subclass 2A Title game, winning one of them. The year BC lost the Title game, they had already beaten Reidsville during the regular season.
That is 5 of their 9 Titles they could have easily never obtained.

Following up on 2A classifications and subclasses, there have been opportunities for both Reidsville and Shelby to win united 2A Titles with no subclasses.
Shelby has won two such titles in 1998 and 2021, and was runnerup in 1997.
Reidsville lost its only unified 2A Title game in 2022.
As a matter of fact, Reidsville has never won a State Title where subclasses or rival associations did not dilute the field.

And for those unaware of it, Shelby had previously ALSO dominated the 3A ranks, with 7 Championship Titles in 10 Appearances from 1968 to 1988.
Reidsville was absent from even a Championship Game appearance from 1971 to 2001….31 consecutive recent seasons.

Go away Im arguing with Da' Mule right now!

 

[ReidsvilleRam90]

Top teams or top programs? I assumed when she posted teams, she meant 2003 rams or 1997 Shelby etc.

 

[bralpa]

Going back to 1972, when there was one state champion (prior to that we had East/West champs or Region champs):

Titles (Title years) - Appearances:
Shelby - 10 ('98, '05, '06, '13, '14, '15, '16, '18, '19, '21) - 13 appearances
Reidsville - 9 ('02, '03, '07, '08, '09, '16, '18, '19, '20) - 12 appearances
Clinton - 5 ('90, '96, '97, '01, '05) - 9 appearances
Tarboro - 3 ('09, '10, '11) - 6 appearances
SW Onslow - 3 ('00, '03, '04) - 5 appearances
Thomasville - 3 ('88, '91, '95) - 5 appearances
Randleman - 3 ('81, '82, '83) - 3 appearances
Sylva-Webster - 3 ('72, '73, '80) - 3 appearances
Cummings - 2 ('02, '06) - 5 appearances
Lincolnton - 2 ('93, '07) - 5 appearances
Wallace Rose-Hill - 2 ('94, '17) - 3 appearances
East Lincoln - 2 ('12, '14) - 3 appearances
Salisbury - 2 ('10, '20) - 3 appearances
Lexington - 2 ('85, '86) - 2 appearances
Charlotte Catholic - 2 ('77, '04) - 2 appearances
Whiteville - 1 ('87) - 4 appearances
Clayton - 1 ('89) - 3 appearances
Newton-Conover - 1 ('08) - 3 appearances
Monroe - 1 ('15) - 3 appearances
Maiden - 1 ('78) - 2 appearances
East Duplin - 1 ('22) - 2 appearances
West Brunswick - 1 ('92) - 2 appearances
Forest Hills - 1 ('84) - 1 appearance
Murphy - 1 ('74) - 1 appearance
Roanoke - 1 ('75) - 1 appearance
Franklin - 1 ('76) - 1 appearance
Swain County - 1 ('79) - 1 appearance
High Point Central - 1 ('99) - 1 appearance
West Stokes - 1 ('11) - 1 appearance
South Iredell - 1 ('12) - 1 appearance
TW Andrews - 1 ('13) - 1 appearance
Hibriten - 1 ('17) - 1 appearance
Northeastern - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Bandys - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Kinston - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Tabor City - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Mountain Heritage - 0 titles - 2 appearances

Zero titles - 1 appearance
Williamston, Robersonville, West Montgomery, Erwin, Currituck, East Carteret, Fuquay-Varina, Ahoskie, Hertford, County, Carver, Holmes, Western Alamance, Southern Vance, Carrboro, Washington, Bunn, Northside-Jacksonville, North Davidson, St. Pauls

 

[bralpa]

Best teams I've witnessed in person:

2016 - Shelby - 16-0 and never trailed in a game all season
2004 - SW Onslow - Kendrick Burney, T.Q. Hardison, Dekota Marshall & Company
2002 - Cummings - Tate Brothers
1997 - Clinton - Willie Parker
2006 - Shelby - 16-0 - Montgomery, Parks, Roseboro, Raper, etc.
2007 - Reidsviile - John Connally, Tayon Graves, and some awesome TE (can't recall name)
2015 - Shelby - What an offense - only 40-33 loss in a wild game vs Crest kept them from 16-0 record
2019 - Shelby - 14-1 and outscored playoff opponents 223-35

 

[87SwO]

Best teams I've witnessed in person:

2016 - Shelby - 16-0 and never trailed in a game all season
2004 - SW Onslow - Kendrick Burney, T.Q. Hardison, Dekota Marshall & Company
2002 - Cummings - Tate Brothers
1997 - Clinton - Willie Parker
2006 - Shelby - 16-0 - Montgomery, Parks, Roseboro, Raper, etc.
2007 - Reidsviile - John Connally, Tayon Graves, and some awesome TE (can't recall name)
2015 - Shelby - What an offense - only 40-33 loss in a wild game vs Crest kept them from 16-0 record
2019 - Shelby - 14-1 and outscored playoff opponents 223-35

Yes sir, the 04 SWO team was loaded. The 03 team was actually much better, only undefeated team in SWO history. Just not the big names as Burney or Marshall. But both teams beat heavy favorites in Cummings with Bo Williams and Shelbyville. I'll never forget on these boards, both fan bases called for 40 pt blowouts lol. SWO in 04 had Shelbyville down 28-0 in the first quarter lol running that triple option.....

 

[nwguilford007]

I’m a Reidsville fan but the Wallace rose hill with javonte Williams that beat Reidsville has to be in conversation

 

[dogs79]

Shelby all time. I’ve seen Shelby play several Championships but none better than in 21

 

[Darkhorse#34]

Going back to 1972, when there was one state champion (prior to that we had East/West champs or Region champs):

Titles (Title years) - Appearances:
Shelby - 10 ('98, '05, '06, '13, '14, '15, '16, '18, '19, '21) - 13 appearances
Reidsville - 9 ('02, '03, '07, '08, '09, '16, '18, '19, '20) - 12 appearances
Clinton - 5 ('90, '96, '97, '01, '05) - 9 appearances
Tarboro - 3 ('09, '10, '11) - 6 appearances
SW Onslow - 3 ('00, '03, '04) - 5 appearances
Thomasville - 3 ('88, '91, '95) - 5 appearances
Randleman - 3 ('81, '82, '83) - 3 appearances
Sylva-Webster - 3 ('72, '73, '80) - 3 appearances
Cummings - 2 ('02, '06) - 5 appearances
Lincolnton - 2 ('93, '07) - 5 appearances
Wallace Rose-Hill - 2 ('94, '17) - 3 appearances
East Lincoln - 2 ('12, '14) - 3 appearances
Salisbury - 2 ('10, '20) - 3 appearances
Lexington - 2 ('85, '86) - 2 appearances
Charlotte Catholic - 2 ('77, '04) - 2 appearances
Whiteville - 1 ('87) - 4 appearances
Clayton - 1 ('89) - 3 appearances
Newton-Conover - 1 ('08) - 3 appearances
Monroe - 1 ('15) - 3 appearances
Maiden - 1 ('78) - 2 appearances
East Duplin - 1 ('22) - 2 appearances
West Brunswick - 1 ('92) - 2 appearances
Forest Hills - 1 ('84) - 1 appearance
Murphy - 1 ('74) - 1 appearance
Roanoke - 1 ('75) - 1 appearance
Franklin - 1 ('76) - 1 appearance
Swain County - 1 ('79) - 1 appearance
High Point Central - 1 ('99) - 1 appearance
West Stokes - 1 ('11) - 1 appearance
South Iredell - 1 ('12) - 1 appearance
TW Andrews - 1 ('13) - 1 appearance
Hibriten - 1 ('17) - 1 appearance
Northeastern - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Bandys - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Kinston - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Tabor City - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Mountain Heritage - 0 titles - 2 appearances

Zero titles - 1 appearance
Williamston, Robersonville, West Montgomery, Erwin, Currituck, East Carteret, Fuquay-Varina, Ahoskie, Hertford, County, Carver, Holmes, Western Alamance, Southern Vance, Carrboro, Washington, Bunn, Northside-Jacksonville, North Davidson, St. Pauls

Quick correction doesn’t make that much of a difference but Clinton has 10 appearances since 72. 1976,1990,95,96,97,2001,02,05,06,14

 

[FHJackets90]

Forest Hills has 2 appearances but it was back to back '84 & '85 but in different divisions. 2A in '84 & 3A in '85. We've been within one game of returning several times.

 

[2nd To None]

Going back to 1972, when there was one state champion (prior to that we had East/West champs or Region champs):

Titles (Title years) - Appearances:
Shelby - 10 ('98, '05, '06, '13, '14, '15, '16, '18, '19, '21) - 13 appearances
Reidsville - 9 ('02, '03, '07, '08, '09, '16, '18, '19, '20) - 12 appearances
Clinton - 5 ('90, '96, '97, '01, '05) - 9 appearances
Tarboro - 3 ('09, '10, '11) - 6 appearances
SW Onslow - 3 ('00, '03, '04) - 5 appearances
Thomasville - 3 ('88, '91, '95) - 5 appearances
Randleman - 3 ('81, '82, '83) - 3 appearances
Sylva-Webster - 3 ('72, '73, '80) - 3 appearances
Cummings - 2 ('02, '06) - 5 appearances
Lincolnton - 2 ('93, '07) - 5 appearances
Wallace Rose-Hill - 2 ('94, '17) - 3 appearances
East Lincoln - 2 ('12, '14) - 3 appearances
Salisbury - 2 ('10, '20) - 3 appearances
Lexington - 2 ('85, '86) - 2 appearances
Charlotte Catholic - 2 ('77, '04) - 2 appearances
Whiteville - 1 ('87) - 4 appearances
Clayton - 1 ('89) - 3 appearances
Newton-Conover - 1 ('08) - 3 appearances
Monroe - 1 ('15) - 3 appearances
Maiden - 1 ('78) - 2 appearances
East Duplin - 1 ('22) - 2 appearances
West Brunswick - 1 ('92) - 2 appearances
Forest Hills - 1 ('84) - 1 appearance
Murphy - 1 ('74) - 1 appearance
Roanoke - 1 ('75) - 1 appearance
Franklin - 1 ('76) - 1 appearance
Swain County - 1 ('79) - 1 appearance
High Point Central - 1 ('99) - 1 appearance
West Stokes - 1 ('11) - 1 appearance
South Iredell - 1 ('12) - 1 appearance
TW Andrews - 1 ('13) - 1 appearance
Hibriten - 1 ('17) - 1 appearance
Northeastern - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Bandys - 0 titles - 3 appearances
Kinston - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Tabor City - 0 titles - 2 appearances
Mountain Heritage - 0 titles - 2 appearances

Zero titles - 1 appearance
Williamston, Robersonville, West Montgomery, Erwin, Currituck, East Carteret, Fuquay-Varina, Ahoskie, Hertford, County, Carver, Holmes, Western Alamance, Southern Vance, Carrboro, Washington, Bunn, Northside-Jacksonville, North Davidson, St. Pauls

bralpa

We know your intent and focus was on providing that terrific summary of 2A football since 1972, but your false opening line and glaring omission of thorough framing of your list is disappointing to say the least.

But we Golden Lions do not eat one another as other fan bases do, so we will temper our correction of your errors and certainly encourage you to edit your post.

The statement;
Going back to 1972, when there was one state champion (prior to that we had East/West champs or Region champs) is erroneous, inaccurate, unclear, and confusing.

The WNCHSAA existed at that time and would continue through 1976. That association consisted of 44 mostly 3A level programs smack in the middle of the state. Many of those programs would go on after the merger with the NCHSAA in 1977 to great success in all 4 classifications.

The NCHSAA to this day ignores the records and existence of those programs in their overall state summaries, even to the point of referencing 1972 as some starting point, rather than the logical 1977 merger year where ALL public high schools came under ONE governing body.

You just did the same thing, bralpa.

That leaves the performances of 1972 to 1976 of WNCHSAA programs out in cyber space. Yet the NCHSAA uses the performances of their members during that period.

That is not a coincidence.
It just so happens that from 1972 to 1976, the Shelby Golden Lions won WNCHSAA Championship Titles in 1972, 1975, and 1976. They were runner up in 1974.
While those were correctly considered 3A level Championships, there was no meeting of the NCHSAA 3A champ vs the WNCHSAA champ.
Either they were both “State” champs or neither was.

The undefeated 1972 Shelby team was voted # 1 in the state by the state’s Associated Press.

All this acknowledges that 3A was not your topic, but to never mention Shelby’s 1970s dominance in 3A, and the 86 and 87 Unified
3A Championships is not acceptable.

Furthermore, as Reidsville is correctly listed as # 2 above in 2A, it begs the follow up question “Where was Reidsville from 1972 to 2002?”
2A? 3A? 4A? Championship Titles?
Capitol (sic) of what?

No. For 31 consecutive recent years Reidsville never even appeared in a Championship Title game.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

bralpa

We know your intent and focus was on providing that terrific summary of 2A football since 1972, but your false opening line and glaring omission of thorough framing of your list is disappointing to say the least.

But we Golden Lions do not eat one another as other fan bases do, so we will temper our correction of your errors and certainly encourage you to edit your post.

The statement;
Going back to 1972, when there was one state champion (prior to that we had East/West champs or Region champs) is erroneous, inaccurate, unclear, and confusing.

The WNCHSAA existed at that time and would continue through 1977. That association consisted of 44 mostly 3A level programs smack in the middle of the state. Many of those programs would go on after the merger with the NCHSAA in 1977 to great success in all 4 classifications.

The NCHSAA to this day ignores the records and existence of those programs in their overall state summaries, even to the point of referencing 1972 as some starting point, rather than the logical 1977 merger year where ALL public high schools came under ONE governing body.

You just did the same thing, bralpa.

That leaves the performances of 1972 to 1976 of WNCHSAA programs out in cyber space. Yet the NCHSAA uses the performances of their members during that period.

That is not a coincidence.
It just so happens that from 1972 to 1976, the Shelby Golden Lions won WNCHSAA Championship Titles in 1972, 1975, and 1976. They were runner up in 1974.
While those were correctly considered 3A level Championships, there was no meeting of the NCHSAA 3A champ vs the WNCHSAA champ.
Either they were both “State” champs or neither was.

The undefeated 1972 Shelby team was voted # 1 in the state by the state’s Associated Press.

All this acknowledges that 3A was not your topic, but to never mention Shelby’s 1970s dominance in 3A, and the 86 and 87 Unified
3A Championships is not acceptable.

Furthermore, as Reidsville is correctly listed as # 2 above in 2A, it begs the follow up question “Where was Reidsville from 1972 to 2002?”
2A? 3A? 4A? Championship Titles?
Capitol (sic) of what?

No. For 31 consecutive recent years Reidsville never even appeared in a Championship Title game.

That's cool but we are talking about 2A my dude.

 

[Tarborovikingsfan2018]

It's been over a decade since Tarboro was 2a. But appearing in 6 title games including 5 in a row from 08-12 I think puts tarboro at least in the conversation. And 2010 Tarboro went 16-0 only team in Tarboro history as of right now to go 16-0.

 

[87SwO]

It's been over a decade since Tarboro was 2a. But appearing in 6 title games including 5 in a row from 08-12 I think puts tarboro at least in the conversation. And 2010 Tarboro went 16-0 only team in Tarboro history as of right now to go 16-0.

You around when tarboro came to SWO in 03?

 

[Wizard of the East]

Quick correction doesn’t make that much of a difference but Clinton has 10 appearances since 72. 1976,1990,95,96,97,2001,02,05,06,14

the 1976 title appearance by Clinton was 3A at Pisgah. Technicality but the thread did say 2A

 

[Tarborovikingsfan2018]

You around when tarboro came to SWO in 03?

I was only 4 years old lol. I know about them swo teams from them they were legit.

 

[Darkhorse#34]

the 1976 title appearance by Clinton was 3A at Pisgah. Technicality but the thread did say 2A

Ahhh my mistake

 

[Theyhateuscausetheyaintus]

the 1976 title appearance by Clinton was 3A at Pisgah. Technicality but the thread did say 2A

I have a friend from down that way who said his father played in that game. Said it was COLD!

 

[theTRUEdynasty]

SWO in 04 had Shelbyville down 28-0 in the first quarter lol running that triple option.....

No, not from the triple option.... from Shelby fumbling the snap 3 times inside their own 25 in their first 3 or 4 possessions.

 

[Chopper747]

No, not from the triple option.... from Shelby fumbling the snap 3 times inside their own 25 in their first 3 or 4 possessions.

Triple Option has a high fumble rate so.....

 

[SHSLionfan]

That 99 High Point Central team was no joke. As far as single season Greatness they should be up there.

 

[bralpa]

All of the stats I provided were ONLY for 2A...several teams crossed multiple classifications from 1972 to 2022, so none of the state championship game appearances is those other classes are included in the discussion (or in the info I provided) of best all-time 2A team...although when factored in, show those schools' great traditions no matter the classification.

For instance, Shelby did not enter 2A until 1997, yet still have the most 2A championships and state championship game appearances in 2A with 25 years in 3A over that time period, winning multiple championships.

Other examples include Tarboro, who also won a 3A title in '84, 1AA championships in '17, '18, '20, '21; Wallace Rose-Hill who also won five 1A/1AA championships, Thomasville who has also won four 1AA championships over the time period. Charlotte Catholic has won championships in 2A, 3A, 3AA and 4A over the time period.

Great topic for debate, for sure...

 

[bralpa]

Another great topic would be the most dominant all-time 2A player...lots of great athletes to choose from...

 

[dogs79]

WRH got 3 in the debate.

 

[Frank Lost Password]

Another great topic would be the most dominant all-time 2A player...lots of great athletes to choose from...

Anthony Crews QB for Reidsville ran for 1100 yards and 30TDs and passed for 3500 yards with 28 TDs in 2002.

4600 Yards and 58 TDs... in 14 and 1/2 games... he gets my vote

 

[tarheel fan1]

WRH got 3 in the debate.

Javonte Williams would def be in my top 5 at the 2a level.

 

[dogs79]

Javonte Williams would def be in my top 5 at the 2a level.

Yes sir. Nate Irving and Kanye Roberts. Kanye led the Nation in rushing and TD’s

 

[TheMule]

That 99 High Point Central team was no joke. As far as single season Greatness they should be up there.

Definitely in the running for the best 2A team of all time.