HIGHLIGHTS: Nation's second-leading rusher Teo McPhatter goes for 261 yards, accounts for seven touchdowns in playoff opener

North Carolina junior brings total to nearly 2,800 yards in 11 games this season as Princeton beats Pender 58-26.

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Nov 6, 2026, 7:00pm
Among high school football's leading rushers in 2026, Teo McPhatter of Princeton continued to pile up big numbers Friday in a North Carolina 3A playoff opener.

McPhatter, who entered the game No. 2 nationally in rushing yardage, ran 25 times for 261 yards and six touchdowns in a 58-26 win over Pender (Burgaw). He added a 40-yard touchdown pass .

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior entered Friday with 2,535 rushing yards, behind only Wisconsin commit Kingston Allen of Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay, Wis.). McPhatter was coming off of a career-best 405 rushing yards with five touchdowns in the regular season finale last week against Rosewood (Goldsboro).
Princeton junior Teo McPhatter, the nation's second-leading rusher, posted 261 yards and six touchdowns in a North Carolina postseason opener Friday in a 58-26 win over Pender. (FILE PHOTO: Jerrell Jordan)
Princeton junior Teo McPhatter, the nation's second-leading rusher, posted 261 yards and six touchdowns in a North Carolina postseason opener Friday in a 58-26 win over Pender. (FILE PHOTO: Jerrell Jordan)
McPhatter didn't waste any time in getting into the end zone, racing for a 51-yard score in the game's opening minute. He added a 59-yard burst later in the first quarter to bring the Bulldogs within one at 14-13.

Early in the second quarter, McPhatter found Jarrett Lee for a 40-yard touchdown connection to give Princeton a 20-14 lead. He helped extend the lead with a 2-yard score before half for a 26-14 Princeton lead at the break.

McPhatter scored on runs of 4, 21 and 8 yards, respectively, in the second half.

Over the past two seasons, McPhatter has scored six touchdowns on two other occasions – both against Seaforth (Pittsboro).

Princeton (6-5) advances in the 3A bracket to take on Midway (Dunn) next week.

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