Overview
- Junior quarterback Ethan Royal earned MVP honors with 199 total yards and all three Hough touchdowns, punctuated by a 74-yard scoring run in the final minute.
- Hough's defense held Millbrook to 122 total yards with only four first downs after halftime, as sophomore Ryan Peterson claimed Defensive Player of the Game with 10 tackles.
- Both teams entered the final undefeated at 13-0 in their first state championship appearances.
- The shutout followed Hough’s 24-0 semifinal win over West Charlotte, continuing a postseason defined by stifling defense.
- The title game was played Thursday at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff and a live stream on the NFHS Network; Millbrook finished 13-1.