New Hanover and Wallace-Rose Hill heading to state football championships

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For the first time under Coach Earl Smith, the New Hanover Wildcats football team is heading to the state championship.

It was a back and forth affair between the two Wildcat teams. Eastern Guilford took the halftime lead over New Hanover 22-10, but the hometown team made yet another comeback in the second half.

Wiz Vaughn and Blake Walston continued to produce on the offensive end while Grant Daley and the New Hanover defense held in key moments to help their team get the 32-29 victory.

The Wildcats will play at Wallace Wade Stadium on the campus of Duke University against A.C. Reynolds Saturday Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

Hoggard unfortunately was eliminated from the playoffs one game short of the title game as they fell short to Scotland County 47-46 in overtime.

Joining New Hanover in the final round will be the Wallace-Rose Hill Bulldogs who defeated Southwest Onlsow 49-7. They’ll play in the 2A State Championship at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill against top-seeded Reidsville at 7 p.m.