HobbsDailyReport.com
RALEIGH – Cherokee High wiped out a seven-point halftime deficit on Saturday to topple North Duplin 21-13 and win a state 1A football championship at N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.
On a snowy afternoon, the Braves (14-1, West No. 2 seed) won their first state football title. The loss left North Duplin, the East No. 1 seed, with a 14-1 record.
Cherokee quarterback Tye Mintz provided most of the Braves’ offense, accounting for two touchdowns. He scored on a run from the 5 with four minutes, 38 seconds to go in the third quarter for a 7-all tie.
Mintz broke a 51-yard run with 11:22 to play to put Cherokee in front for good 13-7 after a failed PAT. He rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries and threw for 56 yards on offense. Defensively, Mintz added 13 tackles — tied for the team lead in the game – plus an interception and was named the game’s MVP.
Two minutes after taking a six-point lead, Cherokee turned North Duplin over on downs at the North Duplin 25. Two plays later, Isaiah Evans scored on an 11-yard run for a 21-7 lead after Mintz ran for a two-point conversion.
Evans won Cherokee’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player award after rushing 19 times for 108 yards.
North Duplin tried to rally, mounting a 14-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a Kenny Sheppard 3-yard TD run. The drive ate up 6:18 and left less than three minutes to play.
North Duplin opened the scoring with an 11-yard TD run by William Archer with 6:19 to go in the first half. Archer finished with 116 yards on 27 carries and a score and was named North Duplin’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
Sheppard was tabbed the Rebels’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player after making a team-high seven tackles.
Defensively, the Braves were led by Zak Perez who, along with Mintz, had 13 tackles.
NCHSAA OFFICIAL GAME SUMMARY: 1A FB Champ 2017 – Cherokee vs North Duplin