Week 3 action in North Carolina features a Wake County non-conference clash as the Holly Springs Golden Hawks (1-1) travel to face the Apex Cougars (0-2) on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Holly Springs aims to bounce back from an early loss, while Apex looks to secure its first win of the season on its home field.
Game Details
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Matchup: Holly Springs Golden Hawks @ Apex Cougars
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Date & Time: Friday, September 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM
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Location: Apex High School, Apex, NC
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Live Coverage: Follow live scores on MaxPreps
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Holly Springs Golden Hawks
The Golden Hawks enter 1-1, ranked #110 in North Carolina and #32 in class. After falling to Panther Creek in Week 1, they responded with a strong road win. With a solid defense and efficient offensive unit, Holly Springs will rely on its ability to control tempo and finish drives against an Apex team still trying to find rhythm.
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2025 Record: 1-1
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National Rank: #4,115
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State Rank (NC): #110
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Class Rank: #32
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Key to Win: Lean on defensive toughness, capitalize on field position, and put Apex on the back foot early.
Main Squad:
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Kaiden Dupree – RB (#20) – Workhorse in the run game, averaging 67 yards per contest.
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Alex Johnson – QB – Game manager with dual-threat ability.
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Marcus Lee – WR/DB – Versatile athlete and big-play threat.
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Tyrone Carter – LB – Defensive leader in the front seven.
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Isaiah Brown – DB – Reliable in coverage.
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Chris Daniels – OL/DL – Veteran lineman with physicality in the trenches.
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Elijah Green – WR – Secondary receiving option with speed.
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Logan Smith – DL – Run-stopper up front.
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Jordan Miller – LB – Consistent tackler.
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Anthony Brooks – DB – Adds depth to the secondary.
Apex Cougars
The Cougars are off to an 0-2 start, ranked #140 in North Carolina and #21 in class. Despite the losses, quarterback Kyle Hulse has shown promise in the passing game, averaging 194 yards per contest. Apex has struggled to finish drives, scoring just 12 total points in two games, but with playmakers like John Boone and defensive anchor Tas Clayton, they’ll aim to use home-field advantage to spark a turnaround.
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2025 Record: 0-2
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National Rank: #5,378
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State Rank (NC): #140
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Class Rank: #21
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Key to Win: Protect Hulse in the pocket, get Boone involved early, and force Holly Springs into third-and-long situations.
Main Squad:
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Kyle Hulse – QB (#16) – Offensive leader, averaging 194 passing yards and 199 total yards per game.
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John Boone – WR (#2) – Top target, averaging 74 receiving yards per game.
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Kaiden Dupree – RB (#20) – Strong runner, adding balance to the offense.
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Tas Clayton – LB (#11) – Defensive standout with 8 tackles per game.
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Roman Jerkins – DL (#4) – Pass rusher, averaging 1 sack per game.
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Alex Mulauski – RB/WR (#14) – Playmaker contributing 4 points per game.
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Ethan Carter – OL/DL – Anchor on the offensive line.
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Malik Johnson – DB – Secondary leader.
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Logan White – WR – Speed option in the passing game.
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Trey Williams – LB – Consistent contributor in run defense.
Rankings & Records
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Class Rank | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs | #4,115 | #110 (NC) | #32 | 1-1 |
| Apex | #5,378 | #140 (NC) | #21 | 0-2 |
Abu Sayem is a sports enthusiast and writer who enjoys sharing stories about high school athletics. He is passionate about celebrating the teamwork, dedication, and spirit of young athletes.
