Two Catawba County programs remain in NCHSAA state football playoffs on Friday

Bunker Hill senior wide-out Xavier McCleave (4) against Bandys on Oct. 27, 2023. He led the team in receving in the home playoff win over Burns, 21-14, on Nov. 10.

It isn’t often that a pair of Catawba County football programs advance far in the state playoffs in their respective league and let alone stay unblemished while doing so.

However, for the Bunker Hill Bears and the Hickory Red Tornadoes, this feat is still ongoing.

The Bears, who are the No. 4 seed in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A West state playoffs, enter Fridaynight’s third round contest at home against a very game Monroe Red Hawks team.

Monroe (11-1), who is a No. 5 seed, disposed of Lincoln County opponent West Lincoln by a touchdown, 35-27, on Nov. 10.

Whereas, Bunker Hill managed to escape a tough Burns (8-4) program, 21-14.

The Bears, who have relied on a very stout running game, saw its leading rusher

Jason Willis Jr. held to under 30 rushing yards.

Willis was recently named the 2023 WNNC Coca-Cola Golden Helmet Award winner after amassing over 2,000 rushing yards and over 30 total TDs.

Bunker Hill (12-0) was forced to rely on its defense, as well as the tandem of senior quarterback Redek Robinson and receiver Xavier McCleave. McCleave

Hickory senior receiver Dashawn Medley (3) on Nov. 10.

led with 159 yards and a TD on six receptions. Robinson converted 14 of his 27 pass attempts for 237 yards.

Defensively, junior Jaylan Willis had four tackles and senior Luke Kelley collected an interception.

The Bears put is unbeaten mark on the line against the Red Hawks at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17.

In the 3A West side of the state playoffs, Hickory (12-0) entered as the No. 2 seed. The Red Tornadoes have had a pretty solid first two rounds as it defeated Huss, 51-32, and Lincoln County foe North Lincoln, 48-28.

In the second round home match-up against the Knights, Hickory was paced by its high-powered offense.

Junior quarterback Brady Stober was an effecient 17-of-21 for 230 yards and four TDS.

He connected on eight of his pass attempts to senior receiver Dashawn Medley for 85 yards and a TD. Stober followed up by hitting junior receiver Jamien Little on a trio of receptions for 60 yards and two TDs. Junior receiver Ellis Chappell secured three catches from Stober for 48 yards and a TD.

In the ground game, junior tailback Isaiah Lackey garnered 150 yards and a pair of TDs on 21 carries.

Defensively, seniors Turner Wood and Tristian Williams obtained a team-best 15 tackles apiece while Little also corralled an interception as a defensive back.

The Red Tornadoes bring the ferocity on both sides of the ball into Friday’s home encounter with A.C. Reynolds (9-3) at approximately 7 p.m.