Reidsville and A.C. Reynolds offer tough task for area teams in finals

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We are midway through the week which means we are three days from kickoff of the state title games for New Hanover and Wallace-Rose Hill.

While the Wildcats are looking for their first title in nearly 90 years, the A.C. Reynolds Rockets are returning to the finals for the fifth time in school history and the first since they brought home the title in 2009.

It’s yet another opponent with playoff experience and a veteran quarterback. The Rockets fly by Junior Alex Flinn who has tossed 40 touchdowns and only threw 8 picks.

They have a team built a lot like New Hanover, but Coach Shane Laws said they need to play their game to get the win.

“We have to be a really good version of us,” Coach Laws said. “You can’t hurt yourself. You can’t let the moment get too big. I think both of these teams have got players and guys that can make plays. It will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.”

“They’ve been to the big dance many times and won four or five state championships over the last 10-15 years in 4A and 3A,” New Hanover Head Coach Earl Smith said. “Coach Laws has done a wonderful job. They’re well coached and we’re going to have our hands full.”

Over at Kenan Stadium, it’s the battle of two of the absolute best high school teams in North Carolina.

Wallace-Rose Hill is the three time defending champs but the Reidsville Rams won the 2-A title last year and six total in the modern era.

The Rams are a perfect 15-0 looking to cap off back to back undefeated seasons with another ring. This is a very balanced team that is lead by their defense that has held teams to 10 points or less in 12 of their games this year.

“When you come to Reidsville High School you’re going to be on the defensive side of the ball,” Reidsville Head Coach Jimmy Teague said. “We put our best guys over there and they expect to be good. This year they’ve really rose to the occasion when they’ve had to.”

“The job Coach Teague has done, year in and year out, is great and they’ve been here,” Wallace-Rose Hill Head Coach Kevin Motsinger said. “Whether it was the 2A or 2AA, they’ve been King Daddy. Ric Flair says in order to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.”

It’s the only game featuring two defending state champions as the Bulldogs try to add a 2A title to their three consecutive rings and knock off the reigning 2A champ.

The Bulldogs and Rams will play in Chapel Hill and the Rockets and Wildcats will square off at Duke.