The Starting 22: Best players from round 3 of the high school football playoffs (2024)

Each week, HighSchoolOT will release the Starting 22. It is a list of the best performances from every position across North Carolina.

Coaches should send in performance nominations to jbryant@wral.com for consideration each week

Offense

QB — Andrew Attmore, senior, Dudley

  • Attmore put up the best quarterback performance of this year's playoffs in the Panthers' 50-28 win over previously unbeaten Jay M. Robinson. Attmore completed 22 of 32 passing attempts for 378 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. The eight touchdowns tied the NCHSAA playoff record.

RB — Jayden Jones, sophomore, Independence

  • The sophomore's breakout year continued with a 136-yard, three touchdown performance up in Boone as the Patriots upset Watauga by a score of 34-14.

RB — Jackson Parrish, senior, Southern Alamance

  • Parrish rushed 16 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns in Southern Alamance's 47-21 victory over Terry Sanford.

WR — Truitt Manuel, senior, West Henderson

  • The senior NC State baseball commit had a preposterous 16 receptions for 248 yards and four touchdowns in West Henderson's 45-24 blowout win over Oak Grove.

WR — Channing Goodwin, senior, Providence Day

  • The Michigan commit toughed out a nine-reception, 108-yard, one-touchdown, one-conversion performance in Providence Day's 34-27 state championship victory over Rabun Gap (GA).

FLEX — Brady Stober, junior, Hickory

  • In any other week, Stober would've been the starting quarterback on the Starting 22, so he gets this flex spot. Against one of the best defenses in the state, Stober completed 23 of 28 passes for 525 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. Stober has a ridiculous touchdown to interception ratio of 42:2 this season.

OL — David Sanders, junior, Providence Day

  • The junior 5-star prospect was huge in Providence Day's 34-27 victory over Rabun Gap (GA) in the NCISAA Division I state championship game. He did very well as a blocker on offense and recorded seven total tackles, including a high leverage sack, on defense.

OL — Gabe Heard-Hernandez, junior, Butler

  • The impressive 6-foot-3, 275-pound right tackle has been a big time player for Butler this season. He helped the Bulldogs accumulate 451 yards of total offense against a Mount Tabor team with high-level players on its defense.

OL — Logan Potes, senior, Weddington

  • At 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Potes hasn't allowed a single quarterback pressure all season. He is also an effective run blocker. Potes helped Weddington rush for 255 yards against a quality Charlotte Catholic defense.

OL — Charlie Decker, senior, West Henderson

  • Decker, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior leader from the interior spot of the offensive line, helped West Henderson put up 481 yards of total offense against an Oak Grove defense that has played really well this season.

OL — Leo Delaney, sophomore, Providence Day

  • The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Delaney helped Providence Day to an NCISAA Division I state championship victory in his first year with the program.

Catch Up on Previous Editions of the Starting 22

  • Week 1
  • Week 2
  • Week 3
  • Week 4
  • Week 5
  • Week 6
  • Week 7
  • Week 8
  • Week 9
  • Week 10
  • Week 11
  • Round 1
  • Round 2

Defense

DL — Elijah Littlejohn, sophomore, West Charlotte

  • Littlejohn caused headaches for Crest all night in the Lions' 30-29 overtime loss on the road. The speedy and strong Littlejohn came up with five big emphatic tackles, most of which were for a loss.

DL — Amaris Williams, senior, Clinton

  • Williams, a Florida commit, recorded his 11th sack of the season and rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries offensively in Clinton's 42-7 demolishing of Southeast Alamance.

EDGE — Triston Freeman, senior, West Columbus

  • In West Columbus' 42-0 shutout over Lakewood, Freeman registered six total tackles and two sacks.

LB — Tyquan Rankin, senior, Butler

  • Butler's defensive leader had eight total tackles, including four tackles for a loss and two sacks, in the Bulldogs' very impressive 49-13 blowout win over Mount Tabor.

LB — Khor'on Miller, senior, North Rowan

  • Miller was responsible for 16 total tackles, including 15 solo tackles, in North Rowan's 48-39 shootout win over Mountain Heritage.

LB — Robert McCollum, sophomore, Dudley

  • The sophomore middle linebacker had a huge game for the Panthers in their 50-28 win over Robinson. He finished with 10 total tackles, including three tackles for a loss. He also had an interception that he returned for 19 yards.

DB — Randall King, senior, Northern Nash

  • King made nine solo tackles, recovered a fumble, and blocked Scotland's game-winning field goal attempt in Northern Nash's thrilling 45-44 victory. He also had four receptions for 41 yards on offense.

DB — Christian Richardson, senior, Wilson Prep

  • The nation's interceptions leader (14) picked off two passes against a North Moore team that rarely throws the football. He returned them a total of 101 yards. He was also credited with eight total tackles, an additional pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. On offense, Richardson rushed nine times for 119 yards and three touchdowns.

DB — Xavier Allen, junior, East Bladen

  • Allen recorded two interceptions in East Bladen's 47-14 win over Rosewood. Allen also had 22 yards on offense.

DB — Fred Sellars, senior, Grimsley

  • Sellars intercepted a pass for the third consecutive game in Grimsley's 42-35 win over Hough. Sellars made a great recovery on a Hough flea flicker and used his speed and tracking to grab the clutch turnover right against Grimsley's goal line.

FLEX — Justin Rowe, junior, Asheville School

  • Rowe had a key 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in Asheville School's 42-29 victory over Trinity Christian in the NCISAA Division II state championship game. He also had two tackles. On offense, Rowe caught three passes for 38 yards.
The Starting 22: Best players from round 3 of the high school football playoffs (2024)
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