Providence Day three-peats as NC state champions, avenging early loss in the process

Providence Day finished the job.

The Chargers started the season with a national ranking, high expectations and several marquee games on the schedule. But the ultimate goal was always to win a state championship.

On Friday night, they did just that.

A late touchdown rush by Ian Cline gave Providence Day the lead with 21 seconds left in the game — and ultimately a 34-27 win against Rabun Gap for a their third consecutive NC Independent Schools Division I state championship.

Only four other NCISAA Division I programs have had runs of three or more state titles in a row: Charlotte Christian (2017-20, 2012-14), Charlotte Latin (2005-07), Charlotte Country Day (1981-84) and Raleigh Ravenscroft (1978-80).

“It is pure elation right now,” coach Chad Grier said. “Tonight was exhausting because of all of the ups and downs but I am just as proud of a group of kids as I have ever been in my life. It is really special man.”

Both teams came into the game nationally ranked in most major polls, and Providence Day (12-1) looked to avenge its only loss of the season. Rabun Gap (13-1) beat Providence Day 42-27 in October to give the Eagles — who have long played in the NC private school leagues — a conference title.

On Friday night, Rabun Gap seemed to be in position to beat the Chargers again, leading 21-10 and 27-17 in the second half. But trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, Chargers quarterback Jadyn Davis, a finalist for NC Mr. Football and a Michigan recruit, led back-to-back scoring drives to help his team rally. He threw a touchdown to Jordan Shipp on the first one, and after the Chargers got a safety, he handed off to Cline for the second.

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“We knew when we got the ball back we were going to go score,” Davis said. “I am just super proud of the team and the way they fought. They blocked out the noise and went out there and got it done.”

The play that changed the game was that safety.

Providence Day lineman David Sanders, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in his class, got pressure off the right side of the Rabun Gap offensive line, with his team down 27-24. The Rabun Gap quarterback threw the ball away, trying to avoid a safety, but the intentional grounding penalty gave the Chargers two points — and the ball back.

“(Sanders) went out there and made a huge play,” Grier said. “Then he went down and I went out there to check on him. A lot of people don’t know this but he has played the entire season on a torn labrum and waited till the season was over to get it fixed. When I got out there to him I asked him if he was okay. He said, ‘Coach I am going to be fine.’ So, he went back out and was a part of us scoring and winning.”

Grier said he was happy that his seniors got to go out as champions.

“You can’t ask for a better ending,” he said. “You can’t script that any better. I really haven’t tried to think about it much just yet because it can be emotional. I did have a few moments with all those guys individually. They have been such a big part of the team since I have been here. They are great leaders and great players. They are going to be missed but they left a great legacy.”

Grier gave credit to the Chargers’ defense.

“It was the defense,” Grier said. “Coach (Damon) Coiro and the defensive staff were amazing. Their preparation and game planning were incredible. I don’t want to say (Rabun Gap) panicked, but we got them out of what we thought they could do.”

Rabun Gap had punished the Chargers with its run game in the first meeting. Friday night, Providence Day was much better.

“The kids took the last game personally,” Coiro said. “You look for the positives that come out of the negatives and they took it to heart. Their preparation was fantastic. The past three weeks we were kind of showing (Rabun Gap) what we would do this time around. It was a good, long thought-out plan that the kids and the defensive staff were able to execute.”

Grier said his team did just enough.

“For our kids to come up the mountain four hours and do what they did,” Grier began, “they deserve every accolade they get cause (Rabun Gap) is a good football team.”