When the state divided the 1A class in 2001 to create 2 champions each season, the Western 1AA teams won 10 of the first 11 state 1AA titles, but that has changed recently as the Eastern 1AA teams have now won the last 5 1AA Titles, and many expect there to be a 6th in a row this year with Tarboro as the prohibitive favorite....I haven't seen a lot of the 1AA teams this year, but I have followed their seasons, so here's my unbiased view of the 1AA playoffs...
1AA East
----------
When the brackets came out yesterday, everyone automatically were looking at that possible Tarboro/West Montgomery 3rd round matchup, and I personally think that it is going to happen...The Warriors are making their first ever appearance in the Eastern 1AA playoffs, and I expect them to beat both Rosewood and Granville Central on their way to that 3rd round matchup with the Vikings....Both teams have played for state titles in recent years with Tarboro claiming 3 straight 2A titles from 09-2011, while West Montgomery have lost their previous 3 trips to the 1AA finals since 2001, including last year's 30-7 loss to Wallace Rose-Hill who claimed their 3rd straight before departing for the 2A class this season...A Warrior/Viking 3rd round matchup would provide the Vikings with perhaps their toughest opponent since early in the season when they were playing and beating higher class oppnonents on their way to an unbeaten season....In the other part of the bracket, I expect a Lakewood/East Carteret battle in the 2nd round, and wouldn't be surprised to see Lakewood win, but it will likely be a close game....The winner will get to face last year's 2A runnerup Holmes who have blitzed most of their opponents this year with the exception of their lone loss to former conference 2A foe Northeastern who is still unbeaten on the season....Most folks expect a Tarboro/Holmes Eastern Final, and I do as well....
1AA West
-----------
The Western Bracket is going to be a lot more challenging IMO as all 4 teams with first round BYES will certainly be challenged in their 2nd round matchups...Probably the best 1st round matchup will be when North Rowan travels to face Polk County with the winner taking on the Top-seeded Bears of Mount Airy....A North Rowan/Mount Airy 2nd round matchup will no doubt be a very entertaining matchup, but it very likely won't be the only great matchup in the 2nd round as defending state 1A Champ Murphy will likely face two Stanly County opponents in the first two rounds, and South Stanly will not be a cakewalk in the first round...Although, the game will be in Murphy which should be an advantage for the Bulldogs....That possible 2nd round matchup in New London between North Stanly and Murphy should be a great 2nd round matchup between 2 powerful offenses with RB Cameron Davis and Shrine Bowl QB Joey Curry leading their respective teams into battle...I also expect a Swain County/Bessemer City battle in the 2nd round, and it will be interesting to see which team emerges from this game...How banged-up is East Wilkes, and will they have healed enough after the BYE to challenge either East Surry or Starmount?...East Surry gave Mount Airy their toughest game of the season in the season finale, and seem to have really improved since early in the season....Starmount has also improved, and both could likely challenge East Wilkes in the 2nd round if the Cardinals are still not healthy?
As for who emerges from the West, Most think this is Mount Airy's year, and the road to the 1AA Finals in the West will run through Mount Airy which will be tough, but there are many challengers who can, and likely will challenge the Bears beginning with North Rowan....I don't know whether Swain or Bessemer City can challenge the Bears in the 3rd round, but who knows as both teams are certainly capable...Whichever team emerges from the lower part of the Bracket, will most definitely challenge, and I believe that will be either North Stanly or Murphy in the Western Final...One thing is for sure, and that is whoever emerges from the West will definitely be battle-tested when they likely face Tarboro in the Championship game...
Thats's my take of the 1AA playoffs, and I welcome your comments!
Roar Tigers Roar!
1AA East
----------
When the brackets came out yesterday, everyone automatically were looking at that possible Tarboro/West Montgomery 3rd round matchup, and I personally think that it is going to happen...The Warriors are making their first ever appearance in the Eastern 1AA playoffs, and I expect them to beat both Rosewood and Granville Central on their way to that 3rd round matchup with the Vikings....Both teams have played for state titles in recent years with Tarboro claiming 3 straight 2A titles from 09-2011, while West Montgomery have lost their previous 3 trips to the 1AA finals since 2001, including last year's 30-7 loss to Wallace Rose-Hill who claimed their 3rd straight before departing for the 2A class this season...A Warrior/Viking 3rd round matchup would provide the Vikings with perhaps their toughest opponent since early in the season when they were playing and beating higher class oppnonents on their way to an unbeaten season....In the other part of the bracket, I expect a Lakewood/East Carteret battle in the 2nd round, and wouldn't be surprised to see Lakewood win, but it will likely be a close game....The winner will get to face last year's 2A runnerup Holmes who have blitzed most of their opponents this year with the exception of their lone loss to former conference 2A foe Northeastern who is still unbeaten on the season....Most folks expect a Tarboro/Holmes Eastern Final, and I do as well....
1AA West
-----------
The Western Bracket is going to be a lot more challenging IMO as all 4 teams with first round BYES will certainly be challenged in their 2nd round matchups...Probably the best 1st round matchup will be when North Rowan travels to face Polk County with the winner taking on the Top-seeded Bears of Mount Airy....A North Rowan/Mount Airy 2nd round matchup will no doubt be a very entertaining matchup, but it very likely won't be the only great matchup in the 2nd round as defending state 1A Champ Murphy will likely face two Stanly County opponents in the first two rounds, and South Stanly will not be a cakewalk in the first round...Although, the game will be in Murphy which should be an advantage for the Bulldogs....That possible 2nd round matchup in New London between North Stanly and Murphy should be a great 2nd round matchup between 2 powerful offenses with RB Cameron Davis and Shrine Bowl QB Joey Curry leading their respective teams into battle...I also expect a Swain County/Bessemer City battle in the 2nd round, and it will be interesting to see which team emerges from this game...How banged-up is East Wilkes, and will they have healed enough after the BYE to challenge either East Surry or Starmount?...East Surry gave Mount Airy their toughest game of the season in the season finale, and seem to have really improved since early in the season....Starmount has also improved, and both could likely challenge East Wilkes in the 2nd round if the Cardinals are still not healthy?
As for who emerges from the West, Most think this is Mount Airy's year, and the road to the 1AA Finals in the West will run through Mount Airy which will be tough, but there are many challengers who can, and likely will challenge the Bears beginning with North Rowan....I don't know whether Swain or Bessemer City can challenge the Bears in the 3rd round, but who knows as both teams are certainly capable...Whichever team emerges from the lower part of the Bracket, will most definitely challenge, and I believe that will be either North Stanly or Murphy in the Western Final...One thing is for sure, and that is whoever emerges from the West will definitely be battle-tested when they likely face Tarboro in the Championship game...
Thats's my take of the 1AA playoffs, and I welcome your comments!
Roar Tigers Roar!
Last edited:
