Whirlies Win! Brandon and Defense Shine as Grimsley Repeats as 7A State Champions

Whirlies Win! Brandon and Defense Shine as Grimsley Repeats as 7A State Champions
from Mike Fanning for GreensboroSports.com

In a battle of heavyweights at Kenan Stadium, the Grimsley Whirlies overcame an early deficit and a chaotic third quarter to defeat the Clayton Comets 24-14, securing back-to-back NCHSAA 7A State Championships.

Led by State Championship MVP Faizon Brandon and a ferocious defensive effort that turned the tide in the second half, Grimsley weathered a strong challenge from an NC State-committed quarterback to keep the crown in Greensboro.

A Slow Start and a Furial Finish to the Half
Clayton won the toss and deferred, a strategy that paid immediate dividends. After sacking Brandon for a loss of 10 to force a three-and-out on the opening series, the Comets struck first. Quarterback Aiden Smalls orchestrated a drive aided by a pass interference call, capping it with a 13-yard draw play to put Clayton up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Grimsley threatened on the ensuing possession behind a 23-yard reception by Kaden Catoe but stalled in the red zone, turning the ball over on downs.

The momentum shifted in the second quarter. After the Grimsley defense forced a turnover on downs at their own 20, the offense woke up. Freshman Jordan Davis hauled in an 11-yard catch, and Brandon broke free for a 17-yard run. Hudson Cooper capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown reception, tying the game at 7-7 with 7:20 left in the half.
The Whirlies weren’t done. Following a Clayton three-and-out, Grimsley mounted a masterful 10-play, 74-yard drive. Brandon kept it himself for a 15-yard gain before punching it in from 4 yards out with just 37 seconds remaining. The score gave Grimsley a 14-7 halftime lead, with the Whirlies outgaining Clayton 159 to 119 in the first two quarters.

The Third Quarter Turnover Blitz
The game was defined by a wild sequence to open the second half involving three turnovers in just six plays.
On the second play of the half, a snap mishap by Clayton backup quarterback Jones resulted in a fumble recovered by Grimsley’s Bostic. On the very next play, Clayton’s Imari Givens intercepted Brandon at the goal line, returning it to the 30—only Brandon’s tenth career interception.

However, the Grimsley defense delivered the knockout blow three plays later. Defensive back Makai Yon jumped an Aiden Smalls pass and returned it 35 yards for a pick-six touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7.

The Whirlies’ defense continued to swarm. On the next drive, Jaiden Wardlaw recovered a Clayton fumble at midfield. Although the drive stalled at the 9-yard line following a 25-yard completion to Cooper, Chase Huellmantel drilled a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-7.

Withstanding the Late Rally
Clayton refused to go quietly. Just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter, Smalls broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 24-14. Momentum threatened to swing further when Clayton blocked a Grimsley punt, taking over at the Whirlies’ 39-yard line with 9:40 to play.

But the Grimsley defense stood tall again. A holding penalty backed Clayton up, and Bostic delivered a crucial sack on Smalls, forcing a punt on 4th and 25.

Grimsley’s offense then turned to the ground game to chew up the clock. Micah Williams pounded the rock, churning out tough yards to move the chains. Although the drive stalled at the Clayton 23 with 1:47 left, the time off the clock proved fatal for the Comets.

Clayton managed a desperate final drive, completing passes to reach the Grimsley 5-yard line with 10 seconds remaining, but time expired before they could score again.

Championship Numbers
Faizon Brandon was named the State Championship Game MVP, finishing 8-of-18 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown, while adding 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Micah Williams earned Offensive MVP honors, rushing 21 times for 101 yards, including key first downs in the fourth quarter.

Makai Yon took home Defensive MVP honors for his game-changing pick-six.

Despite leaving the game with an injury in the second half, Kaden Catoe led the Whirlies with 2 catches for 42 yards, while Hudson Cooper added 3 catches for 38 yards and a score.

The victory marks the second straight perfect season and State Title for Grimsley, cementing their status as the premier power in North Carolina 7A football.