Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley edges Clayton, NC State signee Aiden Smalls in title game

CHAPEL HILL — Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley won its 31st straight game and won its second straight NCHSAA state title Friday night at Kenan Stadium.

Grimsley pulled away for a 24-14 win over Clayton (N.C.) High and NC State senior signee Aiden Smalls in the NCHSAA 7A championship.

The Game

Smalls and Clayton High came out the aggressor and tried to establish itself in the trenches in the first quarter, and took an early 7-0 lead with Smalls’ scoring on a 13-yard touchdown run.

Grimsley found its footing with two touchdowns in the second quarter, with senior quarterback Faizon Brandon throwing for a 7-yard score and running for a three-yard touchdown.

The game swung when Smalls rolled right, and threw back to the middle, and defensive back Makai Yon picked it off and ran 38 yards for a touchdown and 21-7 lead with 9:52 left in the third quarter.

NC State signee

Smalls played quarterback and had one kick return for Clayton, but he’ll be a wide receiver at NC State.

Smalls has a burning desire to make things happen, and at quarterback, he will take off running and show why he’ll be a quality wide receiver one day. He ran 21 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns, with his 61-yard score a thing of beauty.

Smalls went 7-of-15 passing for 91 yards and the lone interception, and he sometimes ran himself into getting sacked. 

NC State target

Clayton junior defensive back Akedran Crumel has been offered by NC State and regularly attends recruiting events and games.

Crumel forced a fumble against Brandon, and he finished with two tackles for the game. He was beat deep by Grimsley wide receiver Kaden Catoe, but he dropped the bomb. Catoe is going to Charlotte.

Potential targets

Grimsley junior defensive end Andrew Rogers, who NC State is evaluating, had two tackles in the win.

Grimsley left tackle Gavin Milton is 6-6 and 295 pounds and has offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, East Carolina, Liberty, Marshall and Gardner-Webb.

Sophomore defensive end Guy Vann, who has been offered by East Carolina, had three tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Past targets

Clayton senior defensive tackle Keshawn Stancil had a monster game with 10 tackles, half a sack and he even blocked a punt. Stancil picked Clemson over NC State and Miami, and then he flipped to the Hurricanes.

Brandon ended his recruitment early, picking Tennessee over NC State and others. Brandon missed the majority of his senior year due to injury, but returned in the playoffs. He hurt Clayton more with his legs than his arm. He went 8-of-18 passing for 126 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and he rushed 12 times for 65 yards with a score.

NC State coveted Grimsley tight end D.J. Howerton, who stayed solid to Rutgers. Howerton didn’t catch a pass.

Senior cornerback Kosci Barnes showed once again how he might be the most underrated player in the state of North Carolina. NC State offered him before the busy June official visit month, but he never set up a visit. Barnes had seven tackles and he’ll be going to South Carolina.

Coming up

The Wolfpacker will have stories on the key players and various scouting videos, which will be found here.