Shelby (N.C.) High advances to NCHSAA 3A state title game with 30-0 win over Lincolnton High

LINCOLNTON — Few cities in North Carolina can claim the success of Shelby, N.C.

Shelby High defeated Lincolnton (N.C.) High 30-0 on Friday to advance to play Kinston (N.C.) High in the NCHSAA 3A state title game at 2 p.m. Saturday in Durham, N.C. Shelby Crest advanced to the 5A state title Thursday night with a win over Hickory (N.C.) High.

Shelby High has won 12 NCHSAA titles and six WNCHSAA state titles over the years. Shelby last played for the title, winning it in 2021 in the previous NCHSAA 2A classification.

Shelby improved to 12-3 with the win and got revenge for falling 35-34 against Lincolnton (11-3) in overtime Oct. 10.

The Game

When Lincolnton couldn’t get points after driving down the field before halftime, it was a bad feeling down 17-0 at halftime. Shelby then quickly scored in the third quarter, but missed the extra point, but leading 23-0 seemed insurmountable.

Senior quarterback Lan Farmer played a smooth game at quarterback, and the Shelby defense rarely made many defensive miscues. Senior outside linebacker Noah Gartner and junior linebacker Landon Hollifield were usually in the mix.

NC State target

Lincolnton High junior linebacker Jalaythan Mayfield, who goes by J.J., came out like a house on fire, getting tackle-after-tackle in the first quarter. It became harder as the game went on with Shelby mixing in the run and pass, and eventually falling behind 23-0.

Rivals has the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder ranked No. 57 overall in the class of 2027, and No. 3 overall in North Carolina. Mayfield, Raleigh Millbrook middle linebacker Quinton Cypher and Garner (N.C.) High junior outside linebacker Aroson Randle are the three linebackers in the state of North Carolina that are coveted the most by colleges.

Mayfield also played some tight end and was the Wildcat quarterback for a series for the Wolves. It wasn’t Lincolnton’s night, but they’ll be back.

Potential targets

NC State has brought in sophomore offensive lineman Tee Hollifield of Shelby High for an unofficial visit, when Virginia Tech played at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Hollifield is the cousin of former Virginia Tech starting linebacker Dax Hollifield, and former Virginia Tech/Appalachian State/Tulane center Jack Hollifield. Their father, Tee’s uncle, played at Wake Forest. Tee Hollifield has early offers from Duke and East Carolina.

Sophomore defensive end Tyson Williams was also active for Shelby High, and his cousin is former North Carolina outside linebacker Malaki Hamrick. Williams is long at 6-5 and 220 pounds and has offers from Duke, South Carolina, Syracuse and East Carolina.

Not many freshman start on a team that is playing for the state title, but Shelby running back Jonas Woods will be one to monitor moving forward. He entered the game with 98 carries for 816 yards and 11 touchdowns, and was explosive with his runs. His best carry was called back due to a Shelby penalty. He’s listed at 5-7 and 160 pounds and apparently is also a gifted wrestler.

Coming up

The Wolfpacker will have a story on Mayfield, Tee Hollifield and Williams, and various scouting videos, which will be found here.