Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — Thomasville had to overcome a determined opponent and its own mistakes Saturday to win its third straight state championship.

Quan Warley rushed 46 times for 236 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to lead Thomasville past Warsaw Kenan 13-7 in the Class 1-AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association championship, closing an unbeaten season for the Bulldogs.

Warley was named AP state player of the year last season after running for 3,304 yards and 43 touchdowns as a junior. He came in to this game with 2,816 yards rushing and wore eyeblack bearing the words “Bad news” against Kenan (15-1).

“He has a great mixture of power and finesse,” Thomasville coach Benjie Brown said. “He is the complete package, and he’s going to make some college very happy next year.”

1A CHAMP: ELKIN

CHAPEL HILL — Taylor Transou threw three touchdown passes of more than 50 yards and ran for a score Saturday to lead Elkin past Manteo 28-7.

Transou completed 11 of 22 passes for 254 yards for the Buckin’ Elks (13-3), who refused to shy away from throwing against a defense that had 24 interceptions. Transou was named the game’s MVP.

“It never gets old to win,” said Elkin coach Richard Grissom, whose team won its second straight title and fourth in five seasons.

Manteo finished 15-1.

2AA: SHELBY

WINSTON-SALEM — Quarterback Darryl Montgomery scored two first-quarter touchdowns, then returned from an injury in the second half to lead Shelby past Southern Vance 27-24. Montgomery, named the game’s most valuable player, was one of three players to rush for more than 100 yards for the Golden Lions (16-0), who capped a perfect season with their second straight 2-AA championship and the school’s fifth state title.

2A: CUMMINGS

WINSTON-SALEM — Jamil Miller rushed for 244 yards and five touchdowns as Burlington Cummings beat defending champion Clinton 49-20.

Omar Stewart threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, and Philip Evans returned an interception 74 yards for a score as the Cavaliers (15-1) won their third 2-A title.

3AA: E. RANDOLPH

RALEIGH — Michael Cheek rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown to lead Eastern Randolph to a 15-7 win against Charlotte Catholic.

Quarterback Scott Riddle rushed for 90 yards and threw for 81 yards for Eastern Randolph (15-1), which captured its first state title since 1983.

Ben Herlocker ran for 158 yards for Catholic (13-2), which was denied its third consecutive state championship.Riddle, who was named most valuable player, also punted seven times for an average of 37.6 yards per punt. That loomed large in a tight defensive game.

4A: GREENVILLE ROSE

DURHAM — Greenville Rose waited nearly three decades to win its second state championship. The years since have been much kinder.

Jonathan Williams ran for three touchdowns while Tyrone Laughinghouse returned a blocked punt for a score to lead the Rampants past West Charlotte 26-12, giving the school its fourth straight title since that 28-year drought.