(No. 4) Princeton (10-3) at Mount Airy (13-0)

Let's Meet the Granite Bears

Mount Airy is the defending 1-A state champion and has won 42 of its last 43 games, including 29 straight. Running back Andy Temoney isn't the biggest back around at 5-foot-6, 165 pounds, but he's the warhorse that makes the offense go. It's his running ability that helps set up Mount Airy's passing attack... Defensively, linebackers Justin Wheeler (5-11, 185) and Justin Collier (6-1, 170) led an aggressive unit that operates out of both five-man and four-man fronts. The Bulldogs will be the most pass-heavy team Mount Airy has faced so far this season... Kicker Tyler Hull was an all-state selection.

(No. 12) Fayetteville Byrd (9-4) at (No. 1) South Johnston (12-1)

Let's Meet the Eagles

Legendary Byrd head coach Bob Paroli has moved on to Fayetteville 71st (where he beat Byrd in the state 4-A title game last year, ironically) but the Eagles still do the same things well they did under Paroli. Byrd head coach Russell Stone's troops are still running ball as well as anybody and playing physical and very stingy defense... Losses to Fayetteville Westover (since avenged in the playoffs) and Gray's Creek (playing in the other 3-AA eastern semifinal) caused some shuffling with the Byrd lineup, especially on defense. The Eagles went all circa-1990s Florida State, shifting linebackers to the defensive line and defensive backs to linebacker to get more speed and aggressiveness on the field. Trae Parker moved from safety to middle linebacker, along with Devonte MacKall and Dashawn Johnson. Former middle linebacker Chaa Loftin now lines up at defensive end. TaVon Clodfelter has become a standout in the secondary since moving into the lineup... Offensively, Byrd has three players with more than 800 yards rushing on the season: Rasheem Bronson (1,346 yards), Junior Williams (1,007) and Lorenzo Pooler (851).