The stage was set last week for an epic, all-the-marbles showdown between Clayton and Cleveland for a trip to the 7A East final on Dec. 5.
Clayton emphatically punched its ticket, but Southeast Raleigh spoiled the prospects of an all-JoCo clash on Black Friday.
Clayton/Southeast Raleigh 2 isn’t a bad consolation prize, though. The winner of this affair will play the winner of Garner and Cardinal Gibbons. The highest remaining seed will host, meaning that Cardinal Gibbons, Clayton and Garner have priority – in that order.
Let’s not look too far ahead, though. If you want to look back a little, you can check out the JoCo Sports Football Podcast. By the time most of you see this, the latest episode will be posted. Have a listen while you have your turkey tomorrow. Your favorite aunt will love it. Maybe.
southeast raleigh at Cleveland
Records: Southeast Raleigh 9-3; Clayton 10-2
Last week: Southeast Raleigh rallied past Cleveland, 49-37, while Clayton ran Conley aground, 47-7.
Massey Rating spread: Clayton -12.5
Media Watch: Hudl, 102.3 FM, jocofootball.com and CRN
Breakdown: On Oct. 3, these two teams met on Rock Quarry Road. The hosts ground out a 22-19 win in a game in which Clayton had a multitude of penalties and untimely turnovers that ultimately swung the game the Bulldogs’ way.
I watched most of this one on a dodgy NFHS feed, and I saw a relentless ground attack from Christian Freeman, who rushed for 113 yards a score, and James Adams IV, who added 78 more and another touchdown. This has been the recipe for much of the campaign, with Freeman topping 1,200 yards and 15 TD and Adams sneaking up on 1,000 (886) with 13 more scores.
What’s new since early October is the emergence of Tydreke Powell. Since the 28-10 loss to Cleveland on Oct. 17, the junior quarterback is 36-for-52 (66.7%) for 642 yards, eight touchdowns and an interception in three wins over South Garner, New Bern and Cleveland.
He had the game of his life last week, completing 20 of his 29 throws for 361 yards and five scores. With this newfound balance, athleticism across the board and a little bit of an edge provided by up-and-coming coach Edwin Campbell, this team is legit.
It’s new territory for the Bulldogs, who are competing in this round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. Clayton has a little more history at this level of the postseason, but it has still been 20 years since the Comets reached this stage.
Clayton’s late-season surge has been powered by its defense. Since falling behind 14-0 at Garner after the first quarter on Oct. 24, the Comets have played 15 quarters against the Trojans, Cleveland, New Hanover and Conley — all playoff teams — and have allowed just 18 points.
Miami commit KeShawn Stancil grabs the headlines, as the team’s leading tackler (68), Shrine Bowler and a frequent producer of big plays should. But he’s got plenty of help.
Akedran (AK) Crumel is one of the best cornerback prospects around for the Class of 2027, and with two picks, including a pick six, last week against Conley, it’s easy to see why he’s allowed just four (!) completions this season. Side note: In my 30+ years of covering high school football, I’ve never seen a better corner prospect.
Ta’Shaun Walker added a pick six against Conley, Daniel Lovelace-Davis leads the team with six interceptions and Charles Smith is on his heels with five.
A little lost in the buzz around a world beating defense has been the steady production of the Comet offense. Quarterback Aiden Smalls, an NC State commit and a Shrine Bowler in his own right, has taken better care of the football of late, and has posted 426 yards and six total touchdowns in the past two games.
DeAngelo Ruffin, Tyler Campbell and Parker Ferguson provide a bevy of targets at receiver, which has helped offset some health issues at the running back spot. A big, physical and skillful offensive line doesn’t hurt, either.
Despite losing the last meeting, Clayton has won four of the last five meetings dating back to 2021.
This is a fascinating matchup between two hot teams that know each other well. Without spilling too much tea, I’ve also heard that there’s a little extra bad blood between the programs — not that motivation is an issue at this point.
Home field is a big deal in this one, and if this game were at Southeast Raleigh, I think it might play out differently.
Prediction: Clayton 24, Southeast Raleigh 14