Who had the best offense and who had the best defense in 3A in the history of N.C. I know it may be debatable.
Best offense and best defense in 3A
- Thread starter Vik-Val 86
- Start date
Honest to God I don’t think it’s really debatable. Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, but if you’re answer isn’t 1996 Hickory Red Tornadoes … you’re just wrong
It pains me to have to acknowledge the ‘Evil Empire’ over in Catawba County, but the ‘96 boys are in the conversation for best team of all-time (regardless of classification).
Hickory (16-0, 3A State Champs)
*Won the ‘HHS Braggin’ Rights Showdown’ over my Panthers in the opener, 49-6. 16-0 undefeated season ended in Kenan Stadium with a 42-0 W over Ragsdale.
1996
Total Offense: 7,171 yds (1st NCHSAA History)
Season TDs: 106 (6th NCHSAA History)
Total Season Points: 767 (7th NCHSAA History)
Total Season Points Allowed: 99
Avg Margin of Victory: 41.56
Total Season Rush Yds: 5,833 (5th NCHSAA History)
Jamel Patterson: 300-2,761 (172.6/game), 36 TDs
Lee Wilson: 160-1,241 yds (77.6/game), 19 TDs
Daniel Willis: 70-130 — 1,318 yds (24 TD, 3 INT)
Johnie Dillingham: 28-588, (15 TDs)
Jamel Patterson: 20-359, (5 TDs)
Jovan Hoover: 13-230, (4 TDs)
Schedule: Hibriten (W 49-6), Statesville (42-10), Wilkes Central (71-0), Newton-Conover (W 30-7), Alexander Central (49-0), Freedom (W 33-14), North Iredell (W 56-0), East Lincoln (72-7), South Caldwell (W 34-7), Foard (56-0), St. Stephens (63-14)
Playoffs (outscored opps 212-34): North Surry (W 70-16), Pisgah (W 30-0), Brevard (W 35-18), Statesville (W 35-0), Ragsdale (W 42-0)
Conclusion — Best 3A Offense (1996 Hickory), Best 3A Defense (1996 Hickory)
I’ve always thought the 1996 Hickory was at the top. I’ve always said I would love to seen ‘96 Hickory team against the high power offense of ‘03 South Point team. ‘96 Hickory team did have that strong defense. 42-0 shackling over Ragsdale in the State finals was very impressive.
2012 Northern Guilford with TJ Logan. Absurd stat line in the state champ game vs Charlotte Catholic — 28 carries, 510 yds, 8 TD. He was a one man show for NG, so I wouldn’t like his chances going up against ‘96 Hickory D. But it’s an intriguing matchup on paper.
That was one game I wish had been played. 96 3A State Champ vs 96 4A State Champ Crest.
2014 Crest defense was stout. 16-0 state champs gave up 83 (5.4 ppg) points all year. Didn't give up more than 7 points in any playoff game. Held a very good Havelock to 3 points in the title game.
That team, unfortunately, will always be a little undervalued/underrated because the conference was down as a whole in 2014.
The playoff numbers alone though should’ve quashed any hesitation on just how good that team stacks up historically. But people have to knit pick about something I guess.
The playoff numbers alone though should’ve quashed any hesitation on just how good that team stacks up historically. But people have to knit pick about something I guess.
96' Hickory was nasty but I would still love to see them line up against the 03' SP team. South Point's numbers from the 03' team are below.
| Northwestern | L | 21 | 28 | ||
| at Kings Mtn | W | 49 | 0 | ||
| at Lincolnton | W | 47 | 0 | ||
| Crest | W | 35 | 7 | ||
| E. Gaston | W | 35 | 7 | ||
| at Hunter Huss | W | 42 | 6 | ||
| Ashbrook | W | 42 | 0 | ||
| at Forestview | W | 42 | 7 | ||
| Berry Academy | W | 76 | 6 | ||
| at N. Gaston | W | 52 | 7 | ||
| E. Lincoln | W | 62 | 7 | ||
| East Henderson | W | 54 | 14 | ||
| Franklin | W | 42 | 0 | ||
| Concord | W | 69 | 21 | ||
| at Asheville | W | 57 | 10 | ||
| vs, NE Guilford | W | 27 | 10 | ||
| Average | 47.0 | 8.1 | |||
| Totals | 15 | 1 | 752 | 130.0 |
Finally got a chance to see that 96 Hickory team as I have that game between NS and them on tape.
We had probably the fastest speed team we ever had that year (with a RB and TE who went to Elon,) but we were very banged up late in the year and got a bad draw vs them in the first round and it went how it went. That Hickory team was impressive to say the least.. they scored 20+ in the 2nd quarter and it wasn't that we were laying down they were just that dang good. I've seen some really good 2A teams (2013 HP Andrews, and the 2016 Shelby team,) but I'd honestly pick Hickory over both of them. Their speed was solid for then and that defense was something else. If you could pull that squad from them with a time machine, train them modernly with a modern offense and set them loose they'd be as dominant easily.
That North Iredell team was pretty solid with a good RB and Hickory shut them down. He had 300 yards rushing on us despite us beating them that year. Poor Wilkes Central.. they were playing 3A ball with less than 20 kids. That Statesville team was pretty solid though; take Hickory out of the equation and they probably could have been champs that year.
We had probably the fastest speed team we ever had that year (with a RB and TE who went to Elon,) but we were very banged up late in the year and got a bad draw vs them in the first round and it went how it went. That Hickory team was impressive to say the least.. they scored 20+ in the 2nd quarter and it wasn't that we were laying down they were just that dang good. I've seen some really good 2A teams (2013 HP Andrews, and the 2016 Shelby team,) but I'd honestly pick Hickory over both of them. Their speed was solid for then and that defense was something else. If you could pull that squad from them with a time machine, train them modernly with a modern offense and set them loose they'd be as dominant easily.
That North Iredell team was pretty solid with a good RB and Hickory shut them down. He had 300 yards rushing on us despite us beating them that year. Poor Wilkes Central.. they were playing 3A ball with less than 20 kids. That Statesville team was pretty solid though; take Hickory out of the equation and they probably could have been champs that year.
That 2014 crest team was NASTY !!!! Best I have personally seen
NG wasn't a very big team, but man they were everywhere they were supposed to be when it came to their assignments on both offense and defense. Having Logan didn't hurt either...as you can tell.
2017 Catholic was a really really strong team. Started out with a tough 19-14 W vs Christian missing two of our best defensive players and didn't see another close game until the state title game where we took out Havelock 28-14. I feel like that was the most complete CC team although 2018 was more talented, they didn't go undefeated.