East Duplin's Nizaya Hall follows brother's footsteps in playing in state final
BEULAVILLE - East Duplin’s Nizaya Hall vividly remembers the details from the last time the Panthers played in a state football final.
“I remember we lost by two points because of a safety,” he said. “I remember how disappointed the team was after the game because they worked really hard for it.”
Hall was in the seventh grade when East Duplin lost 16-14 to Hibriten in Chapel Hill in the state title game in 2017. He had made the trip to cheer on his brother, Cameron, who was the Panthers’ starting quarterback.
Five years later, Hall is returning to Kenan Stadium at the campus of the University of North Carolina for East Duplin’s NCHSAA 2-A championship game Saturday against Reidsville.
Kickoff between the second-seeded Panthers (14-1) and top-seeded Rams (14-1) is 11 a.m.
“Cameron has given me some advice,” Hall said. “Every day, he talks about I should do this and I should do that. After we won Friday night against Wallace-Rose Hill, he was more excited than I was.”
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Hall is one of the reasons the Panthers are back in the state final.
He is second on the team with five interceptions and tied atop the team lead with 12 passes defended. Hall also helps the offense with 901 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on 96 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per run. He also has seven catches for 146 yards and one score.
“Nizaya has improved a lot this year,” East Duplin coach Battle Holley said. “He does a good job at cornerback for us, he had a big run against Clinton that got us going and he has good hands. He has done everything we have asked him to do.”
Holley added that Hall, who was promoted to varsity in the playoffs as a freshman, plays with good field vision and is quick on his feet.
Those tools have helped him be a solid contributor on both sides.
Hall complements a strong defense that has 19 interceptions. The secondary looks to be tested against Reidsville, which is led by quarterback Al Lee, who has 2,166 yards passing and 29 touchdowns. Offensively, he gives the Panthers a change of pace to a unit led by Avery Gaby’s 2,004 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns.
Hall had 127 and 114 yards rushing in lopsided victories over Kinston and North Pitt, but it was East Duplin’s 28-27 third-round win over Clinton where he stepped up the most while running the ball. He ran five times for 111 yards and a touchdown to help the Panthers defeat the Dark Horses in the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Hall’s teammates appreciate what he brings.
“Nizaya is a very well-rounded football player. Every part of his game is top notch,” senior tight end/defensive end Jesse Clinesmith said. “He is a great part of this football team, but he is also a great guy to know. He gets along with everybody.”
And this week, Hall, wants to do his part to help the Panthers win an elusive state championship.
“Getting here is a dream come true. I remember when some of us were on JV as freshman, talking about when we are seniors, we will make it to state,” Hall said. “Everyone has their own roles and if we do our roles, he will be successful.”
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @jdnsports.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: east duplin's nizaya hall looks to help panthers win nchsaa football title
