Clayton vs. Grimsley: live score, updates, highlights from North Carolina’s NCHSAA Class 7A championship originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Dec. 12 — The Grimsley [Greensboro, NC] Whirlies have won 31 straight games, heading into Friday night’s North Carolina NCHSAA Class 7A state championship game.
Standing in their path is the Clayton [NC] Comets who enter the contest with a 12-2 record against the Whirlies who are 14-0 in 2025.
Grimsley is looking to defend its 2024 Class 4A state championship while Clayton is making its first state title game appearance since 1989.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. EST local at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Stadium
WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK:No. 20/SN No. 17 Grimsley [Greensboro, NC] Whirlies vs. Clayton [NC] Comets
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|| THIRD QUARTER ||
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GRIMSLEY 24, CLAYTON 7
Grimsley adds a field goal.
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Clayton commits its third turnover of the third quarter. The Comets are starting to burn out.
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GRIMSLEY 21, CLAYTON 7
In a game where Grimsley’s offense has really struggled to find any rhythm, it’s the defense that makes the play of the game so far. An interception return for a touchdown gives Grimsley its first two-score lead of the night.
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Two early turnovers, one by each team, to start the third quarter. Clayton’s offense gave it to Grimsley deep in their own territory, but Faizon Brandon tries to force a throw into a receiver near the goal line. The Comets pick it off and get a decent return to get out of the jam. A very solid effort tonight by Clayton against one of the top two senior quarterback in the entire national Class of 2026.
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And the third quarter is under way.
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End of the second quarter: Grimsley 14, Clayton 7
Well, two second-quarter touchdowns have turned this game around. But Clayton is in this, and they’ve proven so far that they can make plays on both sides of the field.
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GRIMSLEY 14, CLAYTON 7
With just 37 second to play in the first half, Grimsley finally takes its first lead of the night. Faizon Brandon making plays with his feet tonight, too.
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CLAYTON 7, GRIMSLEY 7
Well, it’s been tough going for the defending state champions from Grimsley, but they finally get on the board as Faizon Brandon finds Hudson Cooper with a strike in the middle of the field near the goal line. Cooper falls into the end zone on the tackle, and they’re back to even in Chapel Hill.
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End of the first quarter: Clayton 7, Grimsley 0
So far, the defending champs are having a tough go of it. They haven’t been able to make plays against this Clayton defense, yet. A long way to go, but you have to be happy with that first 12 minutes if you’re a Comets’ fan.
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CLAYTON 7, GRIMSLEY 0
Clayton jumps on the defending champs early.
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They’re under way in Chapel Hill, North Carolina!
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Coming soon!
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Clayton vs. Grimsley start time
- Date: Friday, Dec. 12
- Start time: 8p.m. EST local
The game between Clayton and Grimsley is being played at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Stadium.
How can I watch Clayton vs. Grimsley today?
- Date: Friday, Dec. 12
- WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK:No. 20/SN No. 17 Grimsley [Greensboro, NC] Whirlies vs. Clayton [NC] Comets
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