Playoff Firepower: Davidson County Teams Ignite NCHSAA First Round
The high school football playoffs are officially underway for the 2025 season, and several Davidson County squads are set to light up the gridiron this Friday, November 7th. From perennial contenders to surging dark horses, the first round of the NCHSAA bracket promises intense action and showcases some of the region's top athletic talent.
Bulldogs Host Trojans: Thomasville's Offensive and Defensive Threat
The Thomasville Bulldogs are kicking off their playoff campaign at home, welcoming the Chase High School Trojans to Cushwa Stadium in Thomasville, NC. The Bulldogs enter the postseason armed with a well-rounded unit, spearheaded by senior two-way threat Danarius Gibson (Sr., DB/WB). Gibson is the engine of the offense, leading the team in rushing yards and total touchdowns, making him the top priority for the Chase defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs rely on an aggressive defense. Senior Donte Smith (Sr., MLB/SS) anchors the linebacker corps, leading the team in tackles with his relentless pursuit. Junior Keyshon Sanders (Jr., DE/TE) provides constant pressure, leading the team in sacks, while the secondary is led by sophomore ball-hawk Quintin Brunson (So., RB/ATH/DB), the team's interception leader. Not to be overlooked is sophomore Cavarjamor Nelson (So., WR/S), a deep-ball threat who leads the team in receiving yards per game, adding a crucial vertical dimension to the offense.
Dragons Take Flight: West Davidson's Home Advantage
Just down the road, the West Davidson Green Dragons will host the Madison Patriots at their home field. The Dragons have relied on a dominant rushing attack throughout the season, led by Carson Correll, who paces the team in total touchdowns and rushing yards per game. The defense matches the intensity of the offense, with Cooper Moore leading the charge in tackles per game and Isaiah Leonard setting the pace in sacks. Senior veteran safety Evan Everhart is noted as a pivotal game-changer in the defensive backfield. Offensively, Mason Miller provides a receiving threat, leading the team in receiving yards per game, while Ethan McClosky is the team's top interceptor, solidifying the defensive secondary.
Yellow Jackets Swarm West Stanley at Home
The Lexington Yellow Jackets are ready to host the West Stanley Colts at Philpott Memorial Stadium. The Yellow Jackets are a team rich with athletic versatility. Kamari McDonald (Sr., WR, OLB) and Jasius Leak (Sr., DB, WR) are key two-way seniors, presenting matchup nightmares on both offense and defense. Colin Weeks (Sr., TE) provides a consistent, reliable presence, while the future is bright with freshman quarterback Jaiden Summers (Fr., QB), a young talent determined to prove himself in the playoffs. The trenches are controlled by Demetrius Allen (Sr., OL, DT), a large presence on both lines, complementing the explosive running power duo of Gary Vinson.
Byes & Battles: Central Davidson, South Davidson, and More
Several other local teams are also making noise. The Central Davidson Spartans, boasting an impressive 9-1 record, have earned a first-round bye, a testament to their regular-season dominance. They await the winner of their bracket on November 14th, propelled by a star-studded roster including key running back and corner Alonzo Adderton (Sr., RB, CB), senior corner Jordan Ashe, junior quarterback Alan Hedrick, and line leaders Lindsey Motes (Sr., T, DT) and Aidan Carter (Sr., MLB, FB).
The South Davidson Wildcats, also 9-1, secured a first-round bye and will host the winner of the Rosman vs. Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy game. The Wildcats’ success is built on a punishing overall defensive unit, with major contributions from running back George Nilsen IV and two-way threat Elijah Davis (RB/LB), orchestrated by quarterback Ethan Brown.
Rounding out the action, the Oak Grove Grizzlies (7-3) host the North Lincoln Knights tonight, leaning on the air attack of quarterback G. Treadway (leading in passing yards per game) and star receiver J. Clay. Their defense is anchored by tackle leader B. Byrd and sack leader D. Honeycutt. Meanwhile, the East Davidson Golden Eagles (2-8) face a tough road test against the high-seeded Hendersonville Bearcats, relying on dual-threat QB Landon Hollar and versatile seniors Emory Palmer (Sr., SS, RB) and Landin Newton (Sr., FS, WR) to spark an upset.
Ledford Senior High School's football team, the Panthers (2-8 overall record), faces a challenging road trip for their first-round NCHSAA playoff game tonight, Friday, November 7th, at 7:00 PM EST against the Clinton High School Dark Horses in Clinton, NC.
The Panthers will rely heavily on sophomore running back Dominique Arthur, who has been a standout player in the running game, recently rushing for nearly 200 yards in a single contest. For the Panthers to pull off the upset, his performance will be crucial in moving the ball against the higher-seeded Dark Horses.
This Friday marks the official start of a thrilling postseason run for high school football in the region, with every team vying for the right to play next week.
