No. 1 Hough, No. 2 Chambers advance to NCHSAA semifinals. Mega matchup set for Friday
Get ready for The Rematch.
Hough High and Chambers both won N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A quarterfinals Friday night, and now the top two teams in the North Carolina will play next week with a really big prize:
The winner will advance to the state championship game.
On Friday, Chambers blew out Union County power Weddington 45-14. Hough beat East Forsyth 26-14, scoring the first points against East Forsyth in the entire postseason.
Next week, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Hough (14-0) is ranked No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16 and it is No. 1 in The Observer/News & Observer statewide 4A poll. Chambers (13-1) is No. 2 in both polls.
Nationally, Hough is No. 32 in the High School Football America rankings. Chambers is No. 43, but was inside the top 15 before losing 16-10 to Hough on Sept. 24 at Memorial Stadium.
And, playing its arch rival, Hough will try to reach its first state championship, playing in front of its home fans. The Huskies lost 20-10 to Mallard Creek in the 2017 4AA semifinals.
Chambers will try to reach the state championship game for the fourth straight season. Chambers lost in the 2019 final, but has won the past two championships. The Cougars are in a regional final for the eighth time since 2010.
Hough has won the past three regular-season meetings between the teams. Chambers has won the past two playoff games.
This will be the teams fourth meeting in eight months.
Buckle up.
Series History
2021: Hough 16-10
2020: Hough 28-20; Chambers 24-10*
2019: Hough 41-28
2018: Chambers 25-0; Chambers 34-21*
2017: Hough 47-14
2016: Chambers 41-17
2015: Hough 28-27 OT
2014: Hough 31-18
2013: Hough 24-14
2012: Hough 33-30
2011: Hough 21-7
2010: Chambers 29-0
*— postseason game
Quick Links
Friday’s statewide scores, next week’s schedule
Hough sneaks past stingy East Forsyth, into regional final
Chambers defense clamps down on Weddington
Photos from Hough-East Forsyth
Carolina Bowl rosters released, Butler’s Hales to coach NC team
Friday’s Top Performers
Anshon Camp, Chambers: The Cougars’ junior quarterback played played a solid game, completing 12-of-18 passes for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Nolan Hauser, Hough: The Huskies’ field goal kicker only had one blemish on the night as he went 4-for-5 on his field-goal attempts. His long was 48 yards in the second quarter. His lone miss came on a tip at the line of scrimmage.
James Pearce, Chambers: A senior cornerback, Pearce returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. He also had a sack, a tackle for loss, and batted down a pass.
Friday’s scores, next week’s pairings
Friday’s quarterfinals
Class 4A
West
Hough 26, East Forsyth 14
Chambers 45, Weddington 14
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Chambers (13-1) at Hough (14-0)
East
Rolesville 47, Leesville Road 24
Cardinal Gibbons 42, Panther Creek 14
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Rolesville (9-5) at Cardinal Gibbons (12-2)
Class 3A
West
South Point 34, Crest 27
Dudley 20, Statesville 6
Next week’s semifinal matchup
South Point (11-3) at Dudley (13-1)
East
Jacksonville 27, Eastern Alamance 21
JH Rose 49, Scotland County 28
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Jacksonville (11-2) at JH Rose (10-4)
Class 2A
West
Shelby 24, Reidsville 7
East Surry 36, Maiden 35
Next week’s semifinal matchup
East Surry (13-0) at Shelby (13-1)
East
Princeton 45, St. Pauls 28
Wallace-Rose Hill 57, Northeastern 22
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Wallace-Rose Hill (12-2) at Princeton (13-0)
Class 1A
West
Robbinsville 28, Murphy 14
Mitchell County 21, Mount Airy 14
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Robbinsville (10-3) at Mitchell (12-2)
East
Tarboro 28, Northampton County 8
Pender County 34, Pinetown Northside 28
Next week’s semifinal matchup
Pender (10-3) at Tarboro (12-1)