The Hough Huskies completed a perfect season and claimed the first state championship in school history Thursday night, shutting out previously unbeaten Millbrook 21–0 in the NCHSAA 8A football state final at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Hough (14–0) controlled the game behind a dominant defensive effort and a three-touchdown performance from senior quarterback Ethan Royal, who was named the Most Valuable Player.
Royal scored the game’s opening touchdown late in the first quarter, finishing a 12-play, 66-yard drive with a one-yard run. He later delivered the decisive blow twice in the fourth quarter: a 7-yard touchdown strike to Jahmere Anderson and a 74-yard touchdown run with 59 seconds left.
Royal finished with 64 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, adding 135 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Running back Jamarion Morrison, named the West Offensive MVP, added 63 rushing yards to anchor a balanced Hough offense.
The Huskies’ defense set the tone from the start, limiting Millbrook to just 26 net rushing yards and 122 total yards of offense. Hough posted six tackles for loss, forced four fumbles, and came away with a key second-half interception.
Linebacker Ryan Peterson, who recorded 10 tackles and two tackles for loss, earned West Defensive MVP honors.
Defensive back Samari Matthews was selected as the Sportsmanship Award winner for Hough.
Millbrook (13–1) struggled to establish momentum against Hough’s defense. Quarterback Bryson Gray completed 13 of 28 passes for 96 yards, while the Wildcats’ rushing attack was stymied throughout.
Wide receiver Malachi Gilchrist was a bright spot, finishing with three catches for 22 yards and being named the East Offensive MVP. Linebacker Quinton Cypher, who posted a game-high 10 tackles along with a forced fumble and an interception return, earned the East Defensive MVP.
Gilchrist was also selected as Millbrook’s Sportsmanship Award recipient.
The shutout victory caps a dominant postseason run for Hough, which entered the championship having allowed just 17 points in its previous three playoff games.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
Hough — Royal 1 run (Selland kick), 3:47
4th Quarter
Hough — Anderson 7 pass from Royal (Selland kick), 11:54
Hough — Royal 74 run (Selland kick), 00:59
Final: Hough 21, Millbrook 0
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Millbrook: McCullers 16–25; Wright 4–21; Bowen 1–2; Gray 3––6; Luberecki 1––16.
Hough: Royal 12–64, 2 TD; Morrison 15–63; Reed 1–3.
PASSING
Millbrook: Gray 13–28–1, 96 yards.
Hough: Royal 13–29–1, 135 yards, 1 TD.
RECEIVING
Millbrook: Thomas 5–45; Gilchrist 3–22; Cypher 2–19; Martin 2–14; McCullers 1––4.
Hough: White 4–31; Carter 3–25; Morrison 2–30; Evans 1–21; Tinnin 1–14; Anderson 1–7, TD; Hornesby 1–7.
DEFENSE (LEADERS)
Millbrook: Cypher 10 tackles, INT; Adams 6; Williams 5; Sizer 5 (2 TFL).
Hough: Peterson 10 tackles (2 TFL); Heath 8 (2.5 TFL); Porter 8; Matthews 7.
