NCHSAA/BB&T High School Football Championships

Tim Stevens, Staff Writer

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Today's the day that 2007 high school football championships will be decided in eight classifications. Here is a look at each game.

1-A

PLYMOUTH (15-0) VS. NORTH DUPLIN (14-0)

11 A.M., CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM, RALEIGH

North Duplin lost quarterback Doug Lloyd for the season early during its 33-0 semifinal victory over Roseboro Lakewood, but has managed to win with defense.

The Rebels have allowed two touchdowns in four playoff victories and surrender just 6.1 points per game.

Akeem Cox has rushed for 2,137 yards this season.

Plymouth has allowed only one touchdown during the playoffs and has eight shutouts this season. It is giving up just 3.9 points per game.

Tobias Clagon has run for 2,076 yards, and Andre Mitchell has added more than 1,800.

1-AA

WARSAW KENAN (15-0) VS. WEST MONTGOMERY (13-2)

7:30 P.M., KENAN STADIUM, CHAPEL HILL

Undefeated James Kenan lost to Thomasville in last year's final. The Tigers have held 11 opponents to one touchdown or less and no team has scored more than 21 points against them.

Brandon Satchell has rushed for 1,600 yards, and Shawn Jones has thrown for 1,200.

West Montgomery is led by Sean Little, who leads the team in rushing, receiving and interceptions. Linebacker Vince Jordan was was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas.

2-A

SOUTH COLUMBUS (15-0) VS. LINCOLNTON (11-4)

3:30 P.M., CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM, RALEIGH

South Columbus has been overpowering on defense. The Stallions have eight shutouts, have held 12 teams to seven points or less and yield just 3.7 points per game.

Justin Smith and Rashawn Grate each have rushed for 1,000 yards and quarterback Justin Duncan set a school record with more than 1,500 passing yards.

Lincolnton lost four straight games early in the season, but has won 10 straight. C.J. Wilson has rushed for 1,200 yards this season and is close to 4,000 for his career.

2-AA

REIDSVILLE (15-0) VS. SHELBY (14-1)

7:30 P.M., CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM, RALEIGH

Reidsville won state titles in 2002 and 2003, and was the runner-up to Shelby in 2005. The Rams, averaging 53.3 points per game, are led by Tayon Graves (2,075 rushing yards) and Ray Ray Butchee (close to 2,000 yards passing). Graves scored seven touchdowns last week in a 49-19 win over Southern Vance.

Shelby is the two-time defending champion and was 16-0 last year.

3-A

WESTERN ALAMANCE (15-0) VS. NORTH GASTON (12-2)

11 A.M., KENAN STADIUM, CHAPEL HILL

Western Alamance beat 3-AA finalist Greensboro Dudley 14-7 in the final game of the regular season.

Western also eliminated previously undefeated Rocky Mount, 50-38, last week. Western has lost in the state final the past three seasons.

The Warriors are a plus-26 in turnover margin.

North Gaston is led by 2,000-yard rushers Princeton Brooks and A.J. Blue, who also has passed for 1,400 yards.

3-AA

GREENSBORO DUDLEY (12-3) VS. CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC (13-2)

3:30 P.M., KENAN STADIUM, CHAPEL HILL

Dudley dropped two of its last three regular-season games and slipped past Oxford Webb 14-6 in the semifinals.

Catholic is in the championship game for the fourth straight time. It lost to Eastern Randolph 15-7 in the 2006 final. Both of Catholic's losses this year were to independent schools, Charlotte Country Day (14-6) and Charlotte Latin (44-24).

4-A

WILMINGTON HOGGARD (14-0) VS. WINSTON-SALEM MOUNT TABOR (12-3)

3 P.M., BB&T FIELD, WINSTON-SALEM

Shawn Sidbury (1,636 rushing yards) has led the Vikings in the playoffs. Among the Hoggard wins is a 39-13 season-opening victory over 4-AA finalist New Bern.

The Vikings' defense has held seven teams to one touchdown or less and no one has scored more than 23 points against them.

Mount Tabor's Hunter Furr ran for five touchdowns in a 36-14 win over Boone Watauga in the semifinals.

The Spartans were 4-3 midway through the regular season but have won eight straight.

4-AA

NEW BERN (13-2) VS. CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE (13-2)

7:30 P.M., BB&T FIELD, WINSTON-SALEM

New Bern linebacker Kevin Reddick is one of the state's best defenders. He leads the Bears in tackles, tackles for losses and blocked punts.

Quarterback Brett Williams leads the Bears in rushing and passing.

New Bern advanced through the playoffs by defeating Sanderson, Athens Drive, Millbrook and Leesville Road.

Independence is seeking its eighth straight state title.

Five more Independence players were dropped from the squad on Friday because of eligibility questions. Two had been dropped earlier in the playoffs.

Forfeits were not ordered because the players allegedly falsified documents.