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NCPreps Solomon Awards Race: Finalist Selected

IMG_3283by: Trey Scott10 hours agoTreyScott_NC
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NCPreps, presented by VTO Sports, is dropping the final 8 athletes in each classification with Solomon Award ratings—a statewide, data-driven release for North Carolina high school football. Our model grades every player on a 100-point scale that travels with them across classifications: 40% offensive production (with efficiency), 40% defensive production, 15% special teams impact, and 5% team success (record + RPI). We’ll refresh ratings weekly and publish updated candidate boards so fans, coaches, and players can see who’s surging and why.

Mr. 1A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Tamaues Person, KIPP Pride (9-0, .69204 RPI) – [99.3] 80 rush, 756 yds, 8 TD; 10 rec, 114 yds, 2 TD; 41 tkls, 7TFL, 3 sks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 3 FF; 75-yd KOR TD Two-way destroyer on undefeated #1 RPI team—13 total TD, 1,043 all-purpose yds, 16 QB pressures + 6 takeaways. Solomon belongs to him right now!
  2. Vance Keel, Bear Grass Charter (7-0, .62350 RPI) – [98.1] 77 rush, 879 yds, 10 TD; 11 rec, 203 yds; 178 KR yds, 1KOR TD; 33 INT-ret yds, 1 IR TD; 10 tkls, 1 INT, 1 PD, 2 FR, 1 FF Swiss-army weapon—1,293 all-purpose yds, 13 total TD, 4 takeaways. Undefeated dominance with return magic.
  3. Sincere Columbus, Northside–Pinetown (9-0, .66443 RPI) – [96.7] 101 rush, 850 yds, 8.1 YPC, 15 TD Bell-cow TD machine—pure volume + efficiency on another undefeated powerhouse.
  4. Gage Underwood, South Davidson (9-0, .56596 RPI) – [94.2] 21–37, 54.2% comp, 321 pass yds, 6 TD, 2 INT; 83rush, 843 yds, 8 TD; 24 tkls, 4 PD, 2 FF, 2 INT Triple-threat on undefeated squad—1,164 total yds, 14 TD, 4takeaways. Two-way spark.
  5. Travon Usher, Wilson Prep (4-5, .50548 RPI) – [92.6] 26–46, 56.5% comp, 582 pass yds, 4 TD, 3 INT; 76 rush, 815yds, 10.7 YPC, 6 TD; 30 tkls, 4 TFL, 2 sks, 4 hurry Dual-threat + edge—1,397 total yds, 10 total TD, 10 QB pressures. Record holds back.
  6. Xavier Hayward, Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy (5-4, .49504 RPI) – [90.9] 37 rush, 408 yds, 11.3 YPC, 7 TD; 53 tkls, 5 TFL, 2 sks, 1 hurry, 1 PD, 1 FR, 3 FF Explosive per-touch + defensive menace—11 QB pressures + 4takeaways. Efficiency monster.
  7. Trexler Gray, Northside–Pinetown (9-0, .66443 RPI) – [88.4] 84 tkls, 11.5 TFL, 2 sks Tackle machine on undefeated team—pure defensive anchor. Needs offensive splash.
  8. Kiymani Jones, Washington County (5-3, .49784 RPI) – [86.7] 54–95, 915 pass yds, 10 TD, 9 INT; 106 rush, 837yds, 6 TD; 29 tkls, 1 PD Dual-threat volume—1,752 total yds, 16 total TD. Turnovers + record cap ceiling.

Mr. 2A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Kam McDowell, Tarboro (9-0, .73092 RPI) – [99.5] 117 rush, 1,253 yds, 10.4 YPC, 17 TD; 2 rec, 43 yds, 1 TD; 32tkls, 4 TFL, 1 sk, 1 INT, 1 FR, 2 FF Dominates on both sides, rarely plays 2nd half on undefeated #1 RPI juggernaut—19 total TD, 1,296 all-purpose yds, 9 QB pressures. The Solomon is his to lose.
  2. Carell Phillips, North Duplin (8-1, .56492 RPI) – [96.8] 160 rush, 1,594 yds, 7.9 YPC, 23 TD; 1 rec, 7 yds, 1 TD TD machine—24 total TD, 1,601 yds. Volume king on near-perfect team.
  3. Anthony Jimenez, ALA–Johnston (4-5, .43907 RPI) – [95.2] 169 rush, 1,642 yds, 9.8 YPC, 17 TD; 4 rec, 51 yds Explosive workhorse—1,693 total yds, 17 TD. Record drags elite per-touch dominance.
  4. Jaden Lewis, East Bladen (7-3, .56020 RPI) – [93.7] 161 rush, 1,205 yds, 7.5 YPC, 14 TD; 15 rec, 238 yds, 3 TD; 41 tkls, 3 INT, 2 FR, 75-yd KOR TD Two-way playmaker—1,518 all-purpose yds, 18 total TD, 5 takeaways. Electric.
  5. Henry Kyle, Bishop McGuinness (8-1, .56605 RPI) – [91.4] 45 rec, 914 yds, 19.8 YPR, 12 TD; 75-yd KR TD Deep-threat + return ace—13 total TD, 989 all-purpose yds. Splash factory.
  6. Tre Graves, Hayesville (5-4, .51704 RPI) – [90.1] 125 rush, 1,006 yds, 9.1 YPC, 15 TD; 3 rec, 31 yds; 22 tkls, 2TFL, 1 FF Two-way grinder—1,037 yds, 15 TD. Solid but limited by record.
  7. Corey Armstrong, Starmount (7-2, .65441 RPI) – [88.9] 56 tkls, 27 TFL, 9 sks, 2 PD, 1 FF Edge terror—36 TFL + pressures. Pure disruptor, needs offensive role.
  8. Kevon Propst, Starmount (7-2, .65441 RPI) – [87.6] 100 tkls, 15 TFL, 1 sk, 2 INT, 1 PD, 2 FR; 15 rush, 59 yds, 2TD Tackle machine + splash—104 total contributions. Defensive dominator on a strong team.

Mr. 3A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Tyreek Copper, Kinston (6-3, .52776 RPI) – [99.7] 63 rec, 1,316 yds, 19.3 YPR, 19 TD Nation’s #14 receiver, #1 in NC, on pace to shake up state records—explosive, unstoppable, the clear Solomon frontrunner.
  2. Teo McPhatter, Princeton (5-4, .53291 RPI) – [99.4] 19–30, 70.0% comp, 217 pass yds, 5 TD, 1 INT; 196 rush, 1,774 yds, 7.2 YPC, 25 TD; 24 tkls, 1 TFL, 3 INT, FR TD Five-tool freak—1,991 rush yds, 30 total TD, 3 INT + FR TD. Record barely keeps him from 99.9.
  3. Tyler Jones, Kinston (6-3, .52776 RPI) – [97.1] 149–222, 62.8% comp, 2,460 pass yds, 30 TD, 7 INT; 44 rush, -32yds, 4 TD State’s top volume passer—34 total TD. Feeds Copper like a cheat code.
  4. Lan Farmer, Shelby (6-3, .56794 RPI) – [96.3] 116–177, 64.7% comp, 2,172 pass yds, 29 TD, 6 INT; 53 rush, 174yds, 4 TD Pocket sniper—33 total TD, 2,346 total yds. Pure production.
  5. Jamare Lamb, Wallace-Rose Hill (5-4, .52105 RPI) – [94.8] 169 rush, 1,808 yds, 8.9 YPC, 22 TD; 6 rec, 36 yds; 13tkls, 1 TFL Workhorse warrior—1,844 total yds, 22 TD. Record hides dominance.
  6. Zak Ishman, Northeastern (7-2, .61036 RPI) – [93.9] 146–224, 66.2% comp, 2,240 pass yds, 24 TD, 4 INT; 19 rush, 152 yds, 5 TD Clean, high-output QB—2,392 total yds, 29 total TD on winning team.
  7. Jeremiah Hall, James Kenan (8-1, .62679 RPI) – [93.2] 87 rush, 1,233 yds, 14.3 YPC, 20 TD; 3 rec, 83 yds; 35 tkls, 3 TFL, 1 FF Big-play slasher + defender—1,316 total yds, 20 TD. Two-way star.
  8. Brandon Pinkerton, East Rutherford (8-1, .58674 RPI) – [92.1] 148 rush, 1,443 yds, 10.0 YPC, 21 TD; 7 rec, 51yds; 26 tkls, 3 TFL, 1 sk, 2 FR Efficiency king—1,494 total yds, 21 TD. Near-perfect YPC.

Mr. 4A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Dionte Neal, Reidsville (7-2, .68052 RPI) – [99.8] 27–25, 58.1% comp, 435 pass yds, 8 TD, 0 INT; 26 rush, 209yds, 8.0 YPC, 4 TD; 41 rec, 732 yds, 17.8 YPR, 11 TD; 91 KR yds, 58 PR yds, 96 INT-ret yds, 2 INT TD; 10 tkls, 3 INT Once-in-a-decade unicorn—five-tool phenom with 1,521 all-purpose yds, 25 total TD. State-leading INTs, state titles in two sports, Gatorade POY. Neal is the race.
  2. Elan Lipford, Hibriten (8-1, .63844 RPI) – [96.2] 103–155, 63.7% comp, 1,638 pass yds, 19 TD, 3 INT; 74 rush, 597 yds, 8.3 YPC, 7 TD Dual-threat dynamo—2,235 total yds, 26 total TD. Efficiency + explosiveness on near-perfect squad.
  3. John Kirkpatrick, Randleman (7-3, .62341 RPI) – [94.9] 168–258, 66.7% comp, 2,243 pass yds, 21 TD, 10 INT; 71rush, 216 yds, 3.6 YPC, 5 TD Volume passer—2,459 total yds, 26 total TD. High attempts show trust, but INTs cap ceiling.
  4. Tristan Thompson-Wynn, Brevard (9-0, .69595 RPI) – [93.4] 44 rec, 909 yds, 22.4 YPR, 11 TD; 14 tkls, 3 INT; 4KOR, 201 yds, 50.3 YPR, 2 TD Undefeated deep threat + DB—1,110 total yds, 13 total TD. Playmaking on both sides seals it.
  5. DJ Davis, West Craven (8-1, .63938 RPI) – [92.1] 70–130, 51.9% comp, 1,278 pass yds, 14 TD, 9 INT; 118 rush, 844 yds, 6.5 YPC, 19 TD; 18 tkls, 1 INT, 2 PD Triple-threat grinder—2,122 total yds, 33 total TD. TD machine despite turnover woes.
  6. Grant Lawing, Maiden (6-3, .60468 RPI) – [90.7] 103–181, 56.2% comp, 1,592 pass yds, 19 TD, 4 INT; 68 rush, 231 yds, 5.3 YPC, 4 TD Steady dual-threat—1,823 total yds, 23 total TD. Solid volume, but efficiency lags.
  7. Shannon Wingate, Maiden (6-3, .60468 RPI) – [89.3] 2–2, 100.0% comp, 36 yds, 1 TD; 199 rush, 1,087 yds, 4.8YPC, 14 TD; 7 rec, 67 yds, 1 TD Workhorse RB—1,190 total yds, 16 total TD. Volume workhorse.
  8. Clee Phillips, Stuart W. Cramer (7-2, .58302 RPI) – [88.5] 59–95, 66.2% comp, 1,013 pass yds, 13 TD, 2 INT; 67rush, 420 yds, 7.0 YPC, 7 TD Efficient hybrid—1,433 total yds, 20 total TD. Clean but lower volume holds back.

Mr. 5A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Grant Lawless, East Lincoln (9-1, .68861 RPI) – [99.1] 138–211, 64.9% comp, 2,506 pass yds, 31 TD, 4 INT; 72rush, 374 yds, 7.2 YPC, 11 TD State’s most electric arm—2,880 total yds, 42 total TD. Near-perfect volume + efficiency.
  2. JJ Gulat, Dixon (5-4, .47974 RPI) – [96.8] 9–20, 46.7% comp, 112 yds, 1 TD; 250 rushes, 2,456 yds, 11.7 YPC, 28TD Human highlight reel—2,568 total yds, 29 total TD. Record keeps him from 98+.
  3. Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln (9-1, .68861 RPI) – [95.3] 42 rec, 1,001 yds, 28.0 YPR, 18 TD; 1 rush TD; 34 tkls, 12TFL, 5 sks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD FR Two-way superstar—WR1 + edge rusher. 19 total TD + defensive havoc.
  4. Reginald Gray, Northside–Jacksonville (8-1, .67247 RPI) – [93.7] 123–183, 66.4% comp, 1,855 pass yds, 22 TD, 4INT; 69 rush, 272 yds, 5 TD Pocket bomber—2,127 total yds, 27 total TD. Clean, high-output passer.
  5. Eli Hamrick, Crest (7-2, .68050 RPI) – [92.6] 113–164, 67.9% comp, 1,675 pass yds, 17 TD, 2 INT; 65 rush, 407yds, 10 TD Dual-threat precision—2,082 total yds, 27 total TD, elite decision-making.
  6. Garrett Young, Franklin (7-2, .65737 RPI) – [91.4] 218 rush, 1,355 yds, 6.0 YPC, 19 TD; 4 rec, 31 yds; 78 tkls, 4TFL, 1 sk Workhorse + LB—1,386 total yds, 19 TD, defensive anchor.
  7. Yoshua McBryde, St. Pauls (8-1, .61557 RPI) – [90.2] 150 rush, 1,228 yds, 9.6 YPC, 17 TD; 4 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD Explosive slasher—1,314 total yds, 18 total TD. Lower RPI caps ceiling.
  8. Aury Greenfield, Jay M. Robinson (8-1, .68699 RPI) – [89.5] 98–138, 65.9% comp, 1,819 pass yds, 18 TD, 3 INT; 62 rush, 685 yds, 8.7 YPC, 4 TD Balanced dual-threat—2,504 total yds, 22 total TD. Solid but outshined by top arms.

Mr. 6A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Kaden Davis, Freedom (8-1, .65278 RPI) – [98.4] 104–142, 74.2% comp, 1,932 pass yds, 25 TD, 2 INT; 85 rush, 557 yds, 6.1 YPC, 11 TD Dual-threat phenom—2,489 total yds, 36 total TD with surgical efficiency. Frontrunner so far.
  2. Cade Keller, Watauga (9-0, .73153 RPI) – [97.2] 88–116, 69.9% comp, 1,771 pass yds, 25 TD, 0 INT; 49 rush, 480yds, 12.0 YPC, 10 TD Undefeated perfection—2,251 total yds, 35 total TD, zero picks. Clean as they come.
  3. Amari Pearson, Jacksonville (9-0, .76786 RPI) – [96.5] 114 rush, 1,205 yds, 12.7 YPC, 22 TD Explosive RB on the highest-RPI undefeated team—pure touchdown machine.
  4. Myles Eatmon, Northern Nash (8-1, .69182 RPI) – [94.8] 157 rush, 1,347 yds, 8.3 YPC, 20 TD; 1 rec, 20 yds; 7 tkls Bell-cow grinder—1,367 total yds, elite volume and scoring punch.
  5. Jacob Moore, Terry Sanford (6-3, .57151 RPI) – [93.1] 131–178, 75.2% comp, 1,804 pass yds, 18 TD, 1 INT; 89rush, 709 yds, 8.1 YPC, 13 TD; 1 rec, 16 yds Efficiency wizard—2,529 total yds, 32 total TD. Record dings the ceiling.
  6. Kobe Johnson, Freedom (8-1, .65278 RPI) – [91.7] 28 rec, 765 yds, 26.7 YPR, 14 TD; 37 tkls, 1 PD, 2 FF, 2 INT, 1FR Two-way star—deep-threat weapon with defensive playmaking. Shares spotlight with Davis.
  7. Jamaal Epps, Franklinton (6-3, .55137 RPI) – [89.6] 49 rec, 877 yds, 18.2 YPR, 9 TD; 6 rush, 46 yds; 210 KR yds (13 KOs), 16.2 YPR All-purpose receiver—1,133 total yds, special-teams spark. Lower RPI holds him back.
  8. Josh Smith, White Oak (4-5, .48342 RPI) – [87.4] 58–104, 52.8% comp, 1,169 pass yds, 14 TD, 3 INT; 118 rush, 1,038 yds, 9.5 YPC, 10 TD; 59 tkls, 2 TFL, 1 INT Triple-threat warrior—2,207 total yds, 24 TD. Winning record crushes his case.

Mr. 7A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Evan Hodges, Richmond Senior (7-2, .65732 RPI) – [97.6] 123–187, 66.7% comp, 1,993 pass yds, 21 TD, 6 INT; 26 rush, 212 yds, 6.7 YPC, 3 TD State’s most productive arm—2,205 total yds, 24 total TD. Pure volume + efficiency monster.
  2. Owen Hulbert, Cleveland (9-0, .76773 RPI) – [96.9] 115–176, 71.2% comp, 1,487 pass yds, 15 TD, 5 INT; 44 rush, 185 yds, 6 TD Precision surgeon on the highest-RPI undefeated squad—21 total TD, zero mistakes.
  3. Tydreke Powell Jr, Southeast Raleigh (6-3, .64066 RPI) – [95.1] 101–170, 61.4% comp, 1,784 pass yds, 18 TD, 7INT; 11 rush, 38 yds, 1 TD Pass-first bomber—1,822 total yds, 19 total TD. Record holds him back from 96+.
  4. John Evans Jr, Reagan (7-2, .67804 RPI) – [94.7] 192 rush, 1,398 yds, 6.8 YPC, 17 TD; 7 rec, 103 yds Workhorse bell-cow—every-down grinder with 1,501 total yds.
  5. Kaden Kraft, Lake Norman (7-2, .65739 RPI) – [93.8] 99–158, 61.2% comp, 1,423 pass yds, 15 TD, 2 INT; 76rush, 325 yds, 10 TD True dual-threat—25 total TD, elite 7.5:1 TD:INT ratio.
  6. Antonio Samuels, R.J. Reynolds (6-3, .54065 RPI) – [92.4] 110 rush, 979 yds, 9.7 YPC, 11 TD; 17 rec, 124 yds, 2TD; 25 tkls; 493 KR yds, 43.7 YPR, 1 KOR TD Swiss-army weapon—1,596 all-purpose yds, 14 total TD, plus defense. RPI caps ceiling.
  7. Jaylen King, Cleveland (9-0, .76773 RPI) – [91.5] 81 tkls, 30 TFL, 11 sks, 7 hurries, 1 INT, 5 PD, 1 FF Edge-rushing nightmare—42 QB pressures on undefeated powerhouse. Solomon loves disruptors.
  8. JD Fulp, East Forsyth (6-3, .61910 RPI) – [89.3] 127–211, 64.0% comp, 1,484 pass yds, 16 TD, 3 INT Steady pocket general—clean, balanced attack. No run game keeps him mid-tier.

Mr. 8A Solomon Award Power Rankings

  1. Matthew Boring, Hoggard (9-0, .75085 RPI) – [99.3] 168–226, 77.9% comp, 1,997 pass yds, 16 TD, 5 INT; 27rush, 100 yds, 6 TD The efficiency + volume + undefeated QB blueprint.
  2. Damien Hayes, Jordan (9-0, .70961 RPI) – [97.8] 168 rush, 1,182 yds, 6.7 YPC, 21 TD; 7 rec, 106 yds, 1 TD Bell-cow who carries Jordan’s perfect season on his back.
  3. Ethan Royal, Hough (9-0, .79360 RPI) – [96.7] 79–135, 55.1% comp, 1,273 pass yds, 15 TD, 4 INT; 55 rush, 396yds, 9 TD Dual-threat dynamo on the state’s highest-RPI squad.
  4. Chris Najm, Pinecrest (8-1, .71896 RPI) – [94.5] 217 rush, 1,410 yds, 6.0 YPC, 20 TD; 6 rec, 54 yds Volume king—every carry is a potential score.
  5. Quentin Cypher, Millbrook (9-0, .71932 RPI) – [94.2] 120 tkls, 34 TFL, 3.5 sks, 2 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 BLK punt; 3 rec, 28 yds, 1 TD Two-way destroyer—All-American defense, clutch offense.
  6. Jamouri Nichols, West Charlotte (7-2, .70690 RPI) – [92.1] 112–171, 69.7% comp, 1,569 pass yds, 17 TD, 2 INT; 58 rush, 420 yds, 9 TD Surgical passer with elite TD:INT ratio.
  7. Landon Melton, Jordan (9-0, .70961 RPI) – [90.9] 94–146, 66.7% comp, 1,432 pass yds, 13 TD, 3 INT; 54 rush, 608 yds, 10.6 YPC, 7 TD Lightning bolt complement to Hayes—explosive efficiency.
  8. Ethan McGarrigan, Apex Friendship (8-1, .66241 RPI) – [88.7] 134–209, 64.2% comp, 1,861 pass yds, 18 TD, 2INT; 12 rush, 34 yds Pocket maestro with near-flawless decision-making.