Last week was definitely my worst week of the season. Only managed to get seven out of ten games correct (70%). Richmond Senior, Pinecrest and Overhills contributed to my demise. 70% may be passing in school, but when it comes to my high standards, I definitely give myself an 'F' this week. The season mark now stands at 127-25 (83.6%).

The playoffs have finally arrived. To have a shot at a state title is what 371 NCHSAA football playing schools have been working on since the first official practices started back on July 30. The field now drops to 256 with eight state titles up for grabs. Out of teams in area conferences, I think Albemarle (1A), Scotland (4A) and Richmond Senior have the best chances of capturing state championships. I think on December 1, here's who will be holding those state championship trophies.

1A -- Albemarle. They have not forgotten what happened versus Murphy in the 1A West final last year.

1AA -- Swain County. Hoping for a repeat of last year.

2A -- Tarboro. Vikings go for four in a row.

2AA -- Carrboro. New kid on the block.

3A- Havelock. Also hoping for a championship repeat.

3AA -- Northern Guilford. Nighthawks go for the "threepeat."

4A -- Scotland. Get past New Bern on the road, and the chances look pretty good for a repeat.

4AA -- Matthews Butler. If Richmond makes it to the title game, can they get past the Bulldogs?

In the CarolinaPreps.com polls for the final week of the regular season, Swain County (11-0) holds down the top spot in the 1A classification, while Albemarle (10-1) moves up from fifth to third. Northern Guilford (10-0) continues to hold on to the top spot in 3A. No Cape Fear Valley 3A Conference teams are ranked this week. In the 4A poll, Matthews Butler remains at #1. Scotland moves up a spot from #6 to #5, while Richmond Senior tumbles from #3 to #8.

First round games in the playoffs are usually not that great. And yes, there are those "conference rematches" (West Montgomery vs. North Rowan, Chatham Central vs. South Stanly), even rematches from games that were played last week (Hoke vs. Pinecrest, but this week, the game is in Raeford). Most of first round are blowouts. For the game of the week, I think I'll go with Chapel Hill at Douglas Byrd in 3AA. Byrd better not take the Tigers too lightly if they want to play another game next week.

Yadkin Valley 1A Conference

Albemarle 48 South Robeson 8 (1A Midwest)

South Stanly 35 Chatham Central 13 (1A Midwest)

James Kenan 49 East Montgomery 7 (1AA Mideast)

North Rowan 21 West Montgomery 14 (1AA Midwest)

Cape Fear Valley 3A Conference

Cardinal Gibbons 42 Gray's Creek 28 (3AA East)

Douglas Byrd 24 Chapel Hill 21 (3AA Mideast)

Western Alamance 27 Overhills 20 (3AA Mideast)

Southern Guilford 42 Westover 12 (3AA Mideast)

Southeastern 4A Conference

Scotland 49 East Chapel Hill 6 (Mideast 4A)

Richmond Senior 42 Cary 14 (Mideast 4AA)

Hoke County 34 Pinecrest 10 (Mideast 4AA)

Jack Britt 27 Lumberton 8 (Mideast 4AA)

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment