OPENING ROUND OF NCHSAA STATE PLAYOFFS BEGIN ON NOV. 3 Bunker Hill, Maiden, Bandys will represent 2A league; unbeaten Hickory takes on challengers in 3A
ABOVE: Bunker Hill senior receiver and team captain Xavier McCleave (4) led his team in the regular season with 772 yards on 42 receptions and 8 TDs. BELOW: Bandys sophomore quarterback Brady Swett (12) totaled 1,887 yards and 21 passing TDs and threw 9 interceptions. He also rushed for 446 yards and team-best 7 TDs.
2023 NCHSAA State Varsity Football Playoffs
2A WEST
NO. 4 BUNKER HILL (10-0) VS NO. 29 EAST RUTHERFORD (5-5)
- Bunker Hill finished unbeaten during the regularseason for the first time in at least the 21st century.
- The Bears were crowned the Catawba Valley 2A Conference Champions in 2023; it is the first conference title Bunker Hill has secured since 1980.
- Bunker Hill had its 2022 season end during the third round of the 2A West State Playoffs at the hands of Maiden.
- This will be the thirdstraight playoff appearance in as many seasons with head coach Albert Reid leading the program.
NO. 28 BANDYS (6-4) AT NO. 5 MONROE (9-1)
- This is the first time Bandys has had a winning season since 2018.
- The Trojans will make a state playoff appearance for the first time since the 2019 season where it lost in the opening round to Mountain Heritage, 37-14.
NO. 15 MAIDEN (7-3) VS NO. 18 EAST GASTON (8-2)
Hickory High junior quarterback Brady Stober (10) enters Friday’s playoff contest with 2,308 passing yards and 30 touchdowns while only throwing a pair of interceptions.
3A WEST
NO. 2 HICKORY (10-0) VS NO. 31 HUSS (4-6)
- Hickory won the 2023 Western Foothills 3A Conference title outright after finishing 7-0; it is the first conference
title for the program since 2007.
- The Red Tornadoes clinched the conference after defeating Statesville in the regular-season finale for the first time since 2013.
- Under the guide of 3rdyear head coach Joe Glass, the Red Tornadoes have made the state playoffs in each season. Previously, Hickory had made the playoffs only twice since the 2013 season.