The high school football season in North Carolina has come to a close with eight teams claiming NCHSAA titles. Class 4AA champion Zebulon B. Vance was among the winners, defeating Rolesvile 35-14 in the final and finishing No. 1 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 state computer rankings.
That victory, coupled with its 10-1 record and tremendous play this season, makes Vance the 2020-21 MaxPreps Champion for the state of North Carolina.
Quarterback
Austin Grier, voted the title game's MVP, threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns, two going to
Asuani Allen in the third quarter to put the game away. It was the second straight 4AA championship for the Cougars, who piled up 531 total yards, including 331 on the ground.
Jalen Swindell was named the game’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player by recording a sack and six tackles. His team gave up 67 total yards.
Sophomore
Dylan Smothers rushed 12 times for 97 yards and a touchdown and teammate
Joseph Morris added 86 yards rushing on 11 carries.
The Cougars, who finished the season outscoring opponents 435-125, repeated as champions for the first time in school history. It will be the last time the school is called Vance, changing its name to Julius Chambers, a civil rights leader, in the summer. As an inspiration throughout the season, the Cougars used the social media hashtag, #TheLastVance.
“We’re a humble team, but we’re a confident team,” Vance coach Glenwood Ferebee told the
Charlotte Observer. “We feel like every time (we) go out and do what (we’re) supposed to do, we can win. Our biggest obstacle was us and it’s going to always be us. As long as we can take care of business, with talent we have and the coaching staff we have, I think we’ll be fine for next 2-3 years.”
Of the seven other teams crowned champions, Grimsley (10-0), Mount Tabor (11-0), Reidsville (10-0) and Tarboro (9-0) all finished unbeaten. It took great resolve to finish this first spring season after postponing the traditional fall season due to the pandemic.
Asuani Allen running the ball for Vance in its 4AA championship win over Rolesvile on Saturday at North Carolina State's Finley Stadium.
Photo by Tom Masters
