MaxPreps is pleased to announce that the
Wake Forest (N.C.) Cougars have officially been named to the 12th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, which is in its 12th year honoring football.
This is one of the most prestigious team awards in all of high school sports and it is an exclusive honor reserved for the top 100 teams nationwide. In order to be eligible, a team must win a state championship and be highly ranked in the
MaxPreps National Rankings. For football, only 50 of the country's best are invited and with nearly 17,000 competing varsity teams. This puts the Cougars ahead of 99.9 percent of their opponents!
The three decade state championship drought is now over for Wake County thanks to the Wake Forest Cougars dominant season. The defense was a mismatch for opposing offenses almost every week, shutting out seven teams and allowing less than seven points per game. The semifinal game proved to the toughest test when Middle Creek took the Cougars to overtime, but they would prove their resiliency by edging them out 20-17.
On Dec. 17 the Cougars had the opportunity for redemption, facing the Page Pirates who knocked them out of the playoffs in the second round just last year. The Wake Forest defense was more than ready for the rematch and played one step ahead the entire game. They would force a three and out to start the game, and Darius Hodge would capitalize by blocking the punt and Jaden Mckenzie scooped it and scored. This gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead and a healthy dose of momentum.
The offense would score again on their next possession and it started putting pressure on the Pirates offense to make something happen. Jake Campbell took advantage of the situation and intercepted QB Will Jones pass and
put the Cougars in great field position at the 10-yard line. The rest of the game was more of the same for Wake Forest. They were able to take a 23-0 lead into the locker room and the second half was just about protecting the lead. The defense capped off the perfect season with another shutout and the Cougars came away with the 29-0 victory and the
NCHSAA Class 4AA State Championship. In order to be eligible, the team not only had to be nationally ranked, but also had to win a state championship. Beating Page 29-0 on Dec. 17 marked the completion of an incredible season — and earned Wake Forest an invitation to the Tour of Champions.The Cougars finished
No. 2 in the state and
No.98 in MaxPreps National Rankings.
These incredible season achievements have earned the Wake Forest Cougars an invitation to the 12th Annual Tour of Champions.
Please join us as we celebrate with the football team, coaching staff, students and fans on Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.
For more information about the Tour of Champions, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.