DURHAM, N.C. – Charlotte Catholic claimed their fifth state championship Saturday, defeating Havelock 28-14 to claim the NCHSAA 3A championship.
The Cougars’ offense played keep away from Havelock, with Mike Brodowicz’s team holding the ball for 31 minutes. Milan Howard carried the ball 29 times for 160 of Catholic’s 272 total yards. Despite not finding the endzone, Howard was named MVP of the championship game.
Catholic jumped on the scoreboard first when Christopher Walton connected with Paul Neel on a five-yard TD pass to cap a 14-play opening drive to make it 7-0. The Rams answered with a score of their own, as Khalil Barrett found pay dirt with just eight ticks left in the quarter to tie the game.
With Havelock leading 14-13, Catholic’s Lamagea McDowell put the Cougars out front for good with a five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. McDowell scored a second time later in the game, extending their lead to 14 points. McDowell was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player for Catholic.