Clayton linebacker Imari Givens (34) reacts after the turnover on downs by Southeast Raleigh during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025.
Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh’s defense gave Clayton fits the last time the teams met, with the Bulldogs holding the Comets’ high-flying offense in check in a three-point win.
That’s still the only loss Clayton has on its record this season against 7A competition after the Comets completed their own mini revenge tour with a 35-21 win over Southeast Raleigh on Friday in the teams’ NCHSAA 7A East region semifinal.
The Comets’ run in this year’s playoffs actually started with a momentous win on the last day of the regular season, when they overcame perennial conference power Cleveland to earn a share of the conference title.
Then, Southeast Raleigh took Cleveland out of the playoffs a week ago to set up this rematch, in which Clayton QB Aiden Smalls was just too much to handle for the Bulldogs. Smalls ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more in leading the Comets (11-2) to the East region final, where they will face perennial state title contender and top seed Cardinal Gibbons.
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) sprints for the touchdown against Southeast Raleigh during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, North Carolina, on Nov. 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh actually controlled the clock much of the third quarter, and drove deep into Clayton territory before an injury to QB Tydreke Powell stalled the Bulldogs’ momentum at the Clayton 10-yard line, where Southeast Raleigh turned it over on downs.
But on the next sequence of plays, the Bulldogs got the ball back on an interception, and an ensuing 29-yard run pulled Southeast Raleigh even with Clayton at 21-21.
Smalls, who’d passed and thrown for a touchdown in the first half, took over from there, doubling his totals in the third quarter alone to help Clayton pull away.
Parker Ferguson caught both of Smalls’ TD passes, the first from 47 yards out, and the second from 23. Nate Lunger was good on all five of his PATs, and Noah Smith had the other Clayton score.
Clayton running back Noah Smith (1) is tackled by Southeast Raleigh defensive lineman Grayson Williams (79) and linebacker Cyrus Gunther during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on Nov. 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
First-half recap
Clayton’s defense started the game with a strong stand, forcing a punt from deep in the Southeast Raleigh end. Taking over from near midfield, it took only a handful of plays for the Comets to get on the board first when Aiden Smalls escaped for a 44-yard touchdown run. The ensuing extra point made it 7-0 for the home team.
Noah Smith added another rushing TD — this from a yard out — late in the first quarter to push the Comets’ lead to 14-0, and it looked for a while like Clayton was going to cruise.
Clayton defensive lineman Kaden Blackwell (27) sacks Southeast Raleigh quarterback Tydreke Powell Jr. (6) during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
On the ensuing drive, though, Powell fired a 43-yard touchdown pass to cut the Comets’ lead in half.
After a pair of stalled drives, Clayton DB Charles Smith came up with an interception inside his own 10-yard line. Aiden Smalls ran the Comets out of trouble and lugged the ball to midfield, and a few plays later found Ferguson for a passing touchdown, re-establishing Clayton’s two-touchdown advantage.
But the Bulldogs would not go quietly. With less than a minute to play in the half, another Powell passing TD from 18 yards out and the extra point again cut the deficit to seven, at 21-14.
Elsewhere in the NCHSAA playoffs
What could have been the upset of the playoff season turned into Exhibit A for why high school kickers deserve as much attention as anyone else on offense or defense.
Cardinal Gibbons kicker Evan Windley nailed his second field goal of the game as time expired Friday to lift the Crusaders to a 16-14 win over Garner in the NCHSAA 7A East region semifinal round.
No. 4 Garner (9-4) had top-seeded Cardinal Gibbons (12-1) on the ropes in the fourth quarter, but one final drive deep into the Trojans’ end allowed Windley to line up and make his winning kick from 23 yards out.
The Crusaders scored first, on Windley’s first field goal late in the second quarter, and that’s where the score stood through halftime.
Garner scored a pair of touchdowns on long runs. The second, from Amir Wallace, gave the Trojans a 14-13 lead, which nearly stood up.
Cardinal Gibbons will host No. 3 Clayton on Friday, Dec. 5, in the East region final.
In the 8A East regional final, unbeaten No. 2 Millbrook went on the road and upended unbeaten No. 1 Hoggard, 14-7, to reach the inaugural NCHSAA 8A state final, which will be played in two weeks.
The Wildcats (13-0) will face unbeaten West top seed Hough (13-0), which dominated West Charlotte on Friday, 24-0.
In a 6A East region semifinal, Middle Creek of Apex continued its run with a 31-24 win over Northern Nash. The No. 3 Mustangs (10-2) will face unbeaten top seed Jacksonville in the East region final on Friday, Dec. 5.
Clayton running back Noah Smith (1) celebrates his touchdown run against Southeast Raleigh with Cory Robinson (75) and DeAngelo Ruffin (9) during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton linebacker Imari Givens (34) reacts after the turnover on downs by Southeast Raleigh during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton tight end River Fiore (14) celebrates with Parker Ferguson (17) after their defeat of Southeast Raleigh in the fourth round of the 7A playoffs. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh defensive back Mykale Tinsley (10) walks towards the end zone after his team’s loss to Clayton in thew NCHSAA 7A fourth round. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh’s Jahkerion Price (21), Trevor Howard (69), and Jonathan Williams (99) react to their team’s loss to Clayton in the NCHSAA7A playoff game. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton tight end River Fiore (14) looks to the sideline during the pre-game drills before taking on Southeast Raleigh in the 7A fourth round of playoffs. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh quarterback Tydreke Powell Jr. (6) launches the pass downfield against Clayton during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton defensive back Malachi Burt (20) defends the pass to Southeast Raleigh wide receiver Tyrus Whyte (7) during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh linebacker Josiah Heath (20) grapples Clayton strong safety Charles Smith (10) during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) looks to pass downfield against Southeast Raleigh during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton defensive lineman Kaden Blackwell (27) sacks Southeast Raleigh quarterback Tydreke Powell Jr. (6) during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh running back James Adams IV (27) is tackled by the Clayton defense during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh wide receiver Cam Bullock (14) attempts to catch the pass against Clayton’s Akedran Crumel (13) during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh wide receiver Cam Bullock (14) makes the catch against Clayton’s Akedran Crumel (13) during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh quarterback James McCullers (9) scrambles for yardage ahead of the Clayton defense during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton running back Noah Smith (1) is tackled by Southeast Raleigh defensive lineman Grayson Williams (79) and linebacker Cyrus Gunther during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on Nov. 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) sprints for the touchdown against Southeast Raleigh during the first half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, North Carolina, on Nov. 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton running back Terris Hobbs (5) runs for yardage against Southeast Raleigh during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
Clayton running back Parker Ferguson (17) celebrates after making his touchdown against Southeast Raleigh defensive back Mike Rowland (24) during the second half. The Clayton Comets and the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs met in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 7A Playoffs in Clayton, N.C. on November 28, 2025. Steven Worthy
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 10:24 PM.
Clayton wide receiver TJ Campbell (4) celebrates after scoring the touchdown off the fourth down against Cleveland during the first half. Cleveland took on Clayton in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C.
Steven Worthy
One can forgive Clayton High School’s football players and their families and friends if they celebrated a bit harder Friday night than they normally might after a win.
The win was, after all, eight years in the making.
Clayton’s defense led it to a 20-3 win over rival Cleveland on Friday, the Comets’ first win over the Rams in eight seasons. It was also Cleveland’s first regular-season loss to anyone after 61 consecutive wins, an incredible, six-season run that came to an end on a crisp, clean Halloween night — on a night when the football was anything but crisp and clean.
Though, forgive Clayton’s camp if it doesn’t care about the “how” as much as the result.
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) runs on the sidelines against Cleveland’s Kaleb Ferrell (0) and Porter Bennett (5) during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
The win also gives Clayton bragging rights in the new Greater Neuse River 7A conference. The Comets and Rams finished with identical 5-1 conference marks, though Clayton has the tiebreaker. Both teams should be well-seeded when NCHSAA playoff pairings are announced Sunday.
It was a stunning loss for the Rams, who hadn’t really been in any tight games prior to Friday night. Cleveland was averaging 48.2 points per game on offense and had an average winning margin of 32.9 points in nine games, the closest among them a 14-point win over South Garner on Sept. 26.
But with playoffs looming, a road trip to archrival Clayton provided Cleveland the kind of gritty, defensive, emotionally charged football it’s likely to face in the postseason.
Getting defensive from the jump
Clayton scored the lone touchdown of the opening quarter on a 62-yard pass play from Aiden Smalls to Parker Ferguson, getting the Comets on the board first, and putting the Rams in an unfamiliar position: playing from behind.
The Comets had a chance to go ahead by two scores early in the second, after driving to the Cleveland 7-yard line, but missed the field goal on fourth down to turn the ball over.
Cleveland running back Crishard Pettaway (7) is tackled by Clayton free safety Tashaun Walker (3) during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
On the ensuing drive, Cleveland drove quickly into the red zone. The Rams also stalled, but a Brody Barnes field goal put the Rams on the board and closed the gap to 7-3. That was as close as the game would get.
Clayton, though, then went three-and-out and gave the ball back to Cleveland, which again marched deep into Clayton territory, this time getting as far as the Comets’ 3-yard line. On a fourth-and-3, the Rams tried to jam it into the end zone and failed, turning the ball back over to Clayton on downs and effectively ending the opening half.
Clayton opened the second half with a third-quarter touchdown, and added another with an extra point in the fourth to put the game away, even forcing Cleveland to try a new quarterback with about eight minutes to play as the Rams tried to find a spark.
Cleveland running back Kaleb Ferrell (0) and his team are ready to run onto the field for their game against Clayton. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) runs away from Cleveland linebacker Diondre Haynes during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Cleveland running back Porter Bennett (5) runs for yardage against Clayton’s Malachi Burt (20) and Mason Bucklad (44) during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Cleveland quarterback Owen Hulbert (10) runs against the defense from Clayton’s Christian Schmidt (11) late in the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
The Clayton coaches on the sidelines react to a call against Cleveland during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton running back Noah Smith (1) runs for yardage against the Cleveland defense during the first half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Cleveland running back Kaleb Ferrell (0) runs for yardage against Clayton’s Charles Smith (10) during the second half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls scrambles for yards against Cleveland’s Jaylen King (9) during the second half . The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Cleveland running back Kaleb Ferrell (0) runs for yardage from the handoff from quarterback Owen Hulbert (10) during the second half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback Aiden Smalls (2) leaps over the Cleveland defense to gain yards during the second half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton wide receiver TJ Campbell (4) celebrates with Parker Ferguson (17) after scoring the touchdown during the second half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
Clayton quarterback (2) sprints for yardage ahead of Cleveland’s Jaylen King (9) during the second half. The Cleveland Rams took on the Clayton Comets in a conference football game in Clayton, N.C. on October 31st in Clayton, N.C. Steven Worthy
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 11:34 PM.
Southeast Raleigh linebacker Cyrus Gunther (44) carries the ball and celebrates with teammates after making the interception against Clayton late in the second half. The Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs and the Clayton Comets met in a conference football game in Raleigh, N.C. October 3, 2025
Steven Worthy
RALEIGH
With some of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the greater Raleigh area on both sides of the ball on Friday in a Greater Neuse River 7A conference showdown, it was instead a fourth-quarter defensive stand that sealed Southeast Raleigh’s thrilling 22-19 victory over Clayton.
Southeast Raleigh’s defense, which had already yielded three scores to Clayton’s Aiden Smalls-led offense, buckled down in the final two minutes.
The Comets took over on downs at their own 32 with just over two minutes to play, trailing by three. Smalls found Noah Smith to push his team to its own 43, but with less than a minute to play the Bulldogs’ Cyrus Gunther came up with his team’s second interception of the night on Smalls, sealing an important home win.
With the victory, Southeast Raleigh improves to 2-1 in conference play and 5-2 overall.
The loss for Clayton is its second of the season, and first in conference play, which drops the Comets into a tie with Southeast Raleigh, both in the Greater Neuse River 7A standings and overall.
Southeast Raleigh defensive end Keysaun Eleazer (11) and linebacker J’Siah Harden (0) grapple Clayton running back Noah Smith (1) during the first half. The Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs and the Clayton Comets met in a conference football game in Raleigh, N.C. October 3, 2025 Steven Worthy
Southeast Raleigh took its first lead of the game Friday midway through the third quarter. Set up near midfield by a Keysaun Eleazer interception, the Bulldogs drove deep into Clayton territory on the back of two long runs from James Adams IV, the first to the Clayton 22, the second to the Comets’ 9-yard line.
A few plays later the Bulldogs barrelled into the end zone. Despite a second missed PAT, Southeast Raleigh grabbed a two-point lead at 15-13.
The Bulldogs extended their lead late in the third quarter. After N.C. State-bound running back Christian Freeman rumbled down to the Clayton 1-yard line, Southeast Raleigh punched the ball over the line. A successful PAT pushed the home team’s lead to two scores at 22-13.
Smalls, also an N.C. State commit, led Clayton to within a score at 22-19 after he scampered 9 yards to the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.
N.C. State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren was at the game Friday, with a pair of offensive recruits squaring off against one another.
Clayton wide receiver Parker Ferguson (17) misses the catch while defended by Southeast Raleigh defensive back Mike Rowland (24) defends during the first half. The Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs and the Clayton Comets met in a conference football game in Raleigh, N.C. October 3, 2025 Steven Worthy
Low-scoring first half
After missing a field goal early, Clayton got on the board first anyway when Smalls found DeAngelo Ruffin for a 62-yard catch-and-run late in the first quarter. Nate Lunger’s PAT put the visitors on top, 7-0.
The Bulldogs replied quickly, completing a 67-yard pass on the next series. Their two-point conversion failed, though, and the Comets retained a one-point lead.
Clayton turned the ball over on downs on its next possession, but the Comets’ defense picked up its offense immediately when Daniel Lovelace-Davis picked off a Southeast Raleigh pass and returned it to the Bulldogs’ 15. Smalls then found TJ Campbell for a second passing score, pushing the Clayton lead back to 13-6.
Southeast Raleigh pulled back to within four points at 13-9 with a 20-yard field goal that closed out the first half.
The Bulldogs return to action next week on the road at Smithfield-Selma. Clayton will regroup at home against South Garner.
