Hickory vs. Seventy-First: Live score updates, North Carolina 3A football state championship

Refresh this post for constant updates as the Red Tornadoes take on the Falcons in the North Carolina Class 3A state championship game

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – The North Carolina Class 3A state championship game features a battle between Hickory and Seventy-First Academy. It takes place on Friday (7:00 p.m.), at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina.

Stay with SBLive North Carolina for reports from this state championship game and the other taking place this weekend.

Hickory (15-0) is making its second appearance in a state championship game. The Red Tornadoes won their previous appearance in 1996, defeating Ragsdale 42-0 for the 3-A title.

Seventy-First (15-0) is making its four appearance in a state championship game. The Falcons are 2-0-1 in title games.

They won in 2008, beating Douglas Byrd 28-7 for the 4-A title. In 1986, they beat West Charlotte 3-0 in the 4-A championship, and they tied. Greensboro Page 14-14 and in 1996.

The Falcons defense has recorded six shutouts this season and the offense has three players who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

The Seventy-First defense allows just 9.2 points per game and 182.5 yards of offense.

Quarterback Deandre Nance leads the Falcons offense with 1,532 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. Nance has also thrown for 1,549 yards and 18 touchdowns. Donovan Frederick, who also starts at linebacker, has rushed for 1,512 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jayson Franklin has rushed for 1,404 yards and 15 scores.

Quarterback Brady Stober leads a potent Hickory offense, having thrown for 3,600 yards and 47 touchdowns this season.

Isaiah Lackey has run for 1,797 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Red Tornadoes.

Hickory averages 45.7 points per game; Seventy-First averages 43.7. 

HICKORY VS. SEVENTY-FIRST

- Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Below is our Live Update Feed created and updated as the game progresses. Read from the bottom up to follow the action chronologically from beginning to end.

Live Updates: FINAL SCORE: HICKORY 33, SEVENTY-FIRST 26

Hickory wins its second NCHSAA 3-A state championship and first since 1996.

4Q: HICKORY 33, SEVENTY-FIRST 26

Hickory will start the fourth quarter with a fourth and one from its 34 and Lackey powers through to pick up the first down.

Another player with cramps on the field, Little, after converting the big pass play from Stober. That was Little's ninth catch of the game. Hickory in the red zone.

Lackey with his third rushing touchdown of the night and he drags several Falcons' defenders with him the final five yards. Hickory regains the lead at and converts the two-point conversion on a pass from Stober to Lee. Hickory leads 26-19 with 8:43 left in the game.

Donovan Frederick with a burst on the ensuing kickoff and the Falcons will start at the Hickory 45-yard line, their best opening field position of the game.

Falcons face a third and 8 with 6:46 left and call a timeout to talk things over.

Another big third down conversion by the Falcons, who are driving with under five minutes left.

Nance to Surgeon for a 6-yard touchdown pass and the extra point ties the game at 26 with 2:42 left.

Hickory will start at the 38 yard line with 2:37 left to play. The Red Tornadoes have two timeouts left.

Lackey with another bull rush to convert a third down. first and goal at the 8 for Hickory with 46 seconds left.

Stober keeps it and lunges into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 36 seconds left. The Extra point give Hickory the 33-26 lead. 

Seventy-first will begin its drive at the 36-yard line with 36 seconds left and two timeouts.

Hickory's Will Prince intercepts a last-ditch effort by Seventy-First in the end zone as time runs out to preserve the win. 

Final score: Hickory 33, Seventy-First 26

3Q: SEVENTY-FIRST 19, HICKORY 18

The second half is underway. Seventy-First will open from the 12-yard line.

After a sluggish start for the Falcons on their opening possession, big pass play converts a third and 10 and now has the ball at the Hickory 43.

Nance finds some running room up the left side and scores from 43-yards out for a 19-18 lead after the two-point conversion run gets stuffed. An 88-yard scoring drive to open the second half for the Falcons. 8:53 left in the third quarter.

Hickory begins its opening drive of the second half from the 38-yard line.

Falcons force a three and out and force Hickory to punt.

Seventy-First will take over at its 3-yard line following a block in the back penalty during the punt.

Deandre Nance is down and favoring his right ankle. Nance tried hopping off the field and fell down before he made it to the sidelines. He is being attended to on the field. Reports indicate it could be cramps.

Isiah Kirby is in at quarterback for the Falcons.

Donovan Frederick has dragged several Hickory defenders with him several times during the game. Hard to bring him down.

The Falcons turn the ball over on downs after a couple of penalties in the red zone. Nance returned to the game for the end of the drive.

Hickory takes over at the 24-yard line, 1:15 left in the third quarter.

Hickory facing another fourth down and 1 as time expires in the third quarter.

2Q: HICKORY 18, SEVENTY-FIRST 13, Halftime

Hickory has a fourth down and 2 and the 4-yard line to open the second quarter. The Red Tornadoes have called a timeout.

The Falcons stuff Lackey on fourth down after about a 1-yard run and will take over on downs. Falcons ball, first and 10 at their 3-yard line.

The Falcons will be forced to punt, the first punt of the game for either team, after their opening drive of the second quarter stalls at the 22-yard line.

Hickory will take over at the 45-yard line.

Stober to Little gives the Red Tornadoes a first and goal at the 1, then Lackey rumbles in on the next play. Tyler Johnson makes good on the two-point conversion for a 15-7 lead with 7:14 left in the second quarter.

Hickory's 15 points so far has already surpassed the average points allowed (9.2) per game all season by Seventy-First.

Seventy-First begins its next drive at the 15-yard line.

Deandre Nance and Donovan Frederick with some relentless running on the Falcons' next scoring drive, which Nance finishes off with a 1-yard scoring run. After a penalty negates the two-point conversion, the Falcons fail to convert from the 7-yard line and trail 15-13 with 2:52 left until halftime.

Hickory begins its next drive at the 31-yard line and tacks on a 26-yard field goal on the last play of the first half. Hickory leads 18-13 at halftime. Seventy-First will receive the second half kickoff.

1Q: HICKORY 7, SEVENTY-FIRST 7

Seventy-First is wearing its white jerseys with red pants and red helmets.

Hickory is decked out in red jerseys and red pants with white helmets.

Seventy-First has won the toss and deferred until the second half. Hickory will receive the opening kickoff.

Hickory will begin its opening drive from its 22-yard line.

The Red Tornadoes have mixed in the pass with some direct snaps to Isaiah Lackey on their opening drive and face a third down just outside the 3-yard line. Seventy-First calls a timeout.

Lackey powers it in from 2-yards out to help give Hickory the early 7-0 lead, capping a 15-play, 78-yard opening drive.

Seventy-First will start its opening drive at the 29-yard line.

The Falcons drive down the field but face a fourth and 7 just outside the 10-yard line and take a timeout with 1:49 left in the first quarter.

Nance connects with Amir Drummond on a 10-yard touchdown pass and the game is tied at 7 with 1:43 remaining in the first quarter.

Hickory will open its second drive from the 29-yard line.

Red Tornadoes are driving as the first quarter comes to an end. Will have the ball at the 2-yard line to open the second quarter. Most of this drive has come through the air.

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