Bracket Takeaways

[swe98]

Just curious to know if there is anything interesting that stands out to you when it comes to the brackets? Any weird matchups or seedings? What about surprise playoff teams?

Two surprises for me are 4A Washington, which started 0-5, finished 3-7, and gets to host a playoff game, and 4A Nash Central, which started 0-6 and ended up winning their conference with an 4-6 overall record and is also hosting a game.

I think I have to finally admit that Reidsville is geographically in the eastern half of the state, but TW Andrews is slightly in the west, but constantly makes it to the eastern bracket.

Speaking of being on the wrong side, poor 1A East Columbus, a little over 40 miles from the beach, can't seem to stay out of the western bracket, while two teams from the same city of Wilson find themselves on opposite sides of the bracket: Sallie Howard is in the east, while defending eastern and state champ Wilson Prep is in the west. It's possible that both these Wilson schools will end up playing one another for the state championship. What a laugh that would be.

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

Just curious to know if there is anything interesting that stands out to you when it comes to the brackets? Any weird matchups or seedings? What about surprise playoff teams?

Two surprises for me are 4A Washington, which started 0-5, finished 3-7, and gets to host a playoff game, and 4A Nash Central, which started 0-6 and ended up winning their conference with an 4-6 overall record and is also hosting a game.

I think I have to finally admit that Reidsville is geographically in the eastern half of the state, but TW Andrews is slightly in the west, but constantly makes it to the eastern bracket.

Speaking of being on the wrong side, poor 1A East Columbus, a little over 40 miles from the beach, can't seem to stay out of the western bracket, while two teams from the same city of Wilson find themselves on opposite sides of the bracket: Sallie Howard is in the east, while defending eastern and state champ Wilson Prep is in the west. It's possible that both these Wilson schools will end up playing one another for the state championship. What a laugh that would be.

Wild to me that Nash Central and Washington are hosting games. On the 2a side, it’s about what I was expecting. Folks have a hard time, but who you play matters. Another wild one is in the 3a, Jk beat Midway and won the conference but Midway is the 3 and they are the 4.

 

[Tarboroviking18]

Just curious to know if there is anything interesting that stands out to you when it comes to the brackets? Any weird matchups or seedings? What about surprise playoff teams?

Two surprises for me are 4A Washington, which started 0-5, finished 3-7, and gets to host a playoff game, and 4A Nash Central, which started 0-6 and ended up winning their conference with an 4-6 overall record and is also hosting a game.

I think I have to finally admit that Reidsville is geographically in the eastern half of the state, but TW Andrews is slightly in the west, but constantly makes it to the eastern bracket.

Speaking of being on the wrong side, poor 1A East Columbus, a little over 40 miles from the beach, can't seem to stay out of the western bracket, while two teams from the same city of Wilson find themselves on opposite sides of the bracket: Sallie Howard is in the east, while defending eastern and state champ Wilson Prep is in the west. It's possible that both these Wilson schools will end up playing one another for the state championship. What a laugh that would be.

NGL based on the bracket that Southwest is in, I could see them going on a run potentially. Wilson prep being in the west is wild. I don't envy that trip for robbinsvillie.

 

[MHHS"12]

Mitchell @ MIC 2nd round is a pretty bad draw for Mitchell but I still think they can win.

 

[bengalstripes9]

*Potential* intriguing 3rd Rd games
E Wilkes/Corvian
N Rowan/Murphy
Mitchell/MIC/ Starmount

 

[Black knight 87]

*Possibly* intriguing 3rd Rd games
E Wilkes/Corvian
N Rowan/Murphy
Mitchell/MIC/ Starmount

That would be some good games to watch

 

[Black knight 87]

NGL based on the bracket that Southwest is in, I could see them going on a run potentially. Wilson prep being in the west is wild. I don't envy that trip for robbinsvillie.

It's 6 hour drive

 

[80prepster]

The second round matchup for East Wilkes against Christ The King looks interesting.

 

[Ball704336]

The second round match-up between MIC and Mitchell is interesting.

 

[TarVikes1]

The eastern playoffs won’t start until Thanksgiving when Warren and Edenton play.

I don’t think there’s a team in the east that could stay within 28points of Tarboro, Holmes, and Warren. However I think the big 3 are all capable of winning the east and the state championship.

 

[Tarboroviking18]

I think til realignment happens the big three in the East is Tarboro, Warren, and Edenton.

The West this year will be interesting to watch. I think it's a good mix of teams who could make it.

 

[TarVikes1]

I think til realignment happens the big three in the East is Tarboro, Warren, and Edenton.

The West this year will be interesting to watch. I think it's a good mix of teams who could make it.

I could see 5 different teams winning the west.

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

I could see 5 different teams winning the west.

Corvian, Murphy, Starmount, EW, and CSD?

 

[TarVikes1]

Corvian, Murphy, Starmount, EW, and CSD?

That’s who I had in mind.

 

[Tarboroviking18]

That’s who I had in mind.

I agree with that. I've seen many people on other social media apps talking about cherryville making a run. Not sure what they have, but I don't think they have anything for the five you mentioned.

 

[SMC Observer]

Corvian, Murphy, Starmount, EW, and CSD?

I think people are sleeping on Mitchell a little bit, when their QB is healthy it's a team that could make a run in my opinion

 

[Ball704336]

I could see 5 different teams winning the west.

I agree with those 5. I think Corvian has a slight edge playing at home throughout the playoffs

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

I still want to see how Corvian does with a ground and pound offense. I know they can put up points, but are they going to be able to stop the run better than last year? With that said, if I had to pick today, I’d pick Corvian, but like the others, wouldn’t surprise me if someone were to beat them

 

[TarVikes1]

I still want to see how Corvian does with a ground and pound offense. I know they can put up points, but are they going to be able to stop the run better than last year? With that said, if I had to pick today, I’d pick Corvian, but like the others, wouldn’t surprise me if someone were to beat them

Agreed I’d pick Corvian - I think they have a tough 3rd round game with East Wilkes running that triple option. That will be a good test for Corvian.

 

[Tarboroviking18]

I still think Murphy is a team to keep an eye on. With clem in the lineup they are definitely a threat.

 

[drop_tables]

It's 6 hour drive

It's a 9 hour trip on activity buses. and I doubt the school is paying for the upgraded touring buses.
They would need to leave the school at 8am to get to Robbinsville on time for warm ups and tape jobs

 

[Black knight 87]

It's a 9 hour trip on activity buses. and I doubt the school is paying for the upgraded touring buses.
They would need to leave the school at 8am to get to Robbinsville on time for warm ups and tape jobs

The game would be at wilson preparatory. We will probably rent touring buses from Cherokee.

 

[TarVikes1]

The game would be at wilson preparatory. We will probably rent touring buses from Cherokee.

If the trip was reversed it wouldn’t be all that bad. Atleast Wilson would get to see the mountains. Unfortunately for Robbinsville - yall just get to see Wilson

 

[Ball704336]

I still think Murphy is a team to keep an eye on. With clem in the lineup they are definitely a threat.

I expect them and Starmount to meet in the 4th round.

 

[drop_tables]

The game would be at wilson preparatory. We will probably rent touring buses from Cherokee.

I apologize for the mix up. I was conversing with an A L Brown fan on the 7A/8A boards about how one of the things the 8 classifications was supposed to fix was cutting down travel for the smaller schools. and he said

Not as bad as East Columbus at
Robbinsville High School in the 1a west!
Straight drive there in a car will take
6 hr 48 min! Now account for stops and it being a bus… at least a 9hr drive

I think he was confused a little when he looked at the bracket.
I just looked at it and see where EC and Robbinsville aren't on the same end of the bracket.
Still a painfully long trip for Robbinsville, if it comes to that. Insane...
Lumberton is traveling to Davie County in the 7A West bracket.... nuts

 

[OAR]

If the trip was reversed it wouldn’t be all that bad. Atleast Wilson would get to see the mountains. Unfortunately for Robbinsville - yall just get to see Wilson

The Whirligig Park is kind of cool

 

[Tarboroviking18]

I expect them and Starmount to meet in the 4th round.

I agree. Unless North Rowan and all that speed they have plays spoiler

 

[recycled2]

I still think Murphy is a team to keep an eye on. With clem in the lineup they are definitely a threat.

I think Murphy is a very good team. However, it seems like something is missing. I have seen them live and on film and it seems like they are not quite running on all cylinders. Numerous penalties and sloppy ball security. It could be that their last few games have not really presented much of a challenge. Maybe they will throw the switch when the playoffs start, but that can be dangerous.

 

[swe98]

The Whirligig Park is kind of cool

For around 3 minutes lol.

 

[Black knight 87]

I apologize for the mix up. I was conversing with an A L Brown fan on the 7A/8A boards about how one of the things the 8 classifications was supposed to fix was cutting down travel for the smaller schools. and he said

I think he was confused a little when he looked at the bracket.
I just looked at it and see where EC and Robbinsville aren't on the same end of the bracket.
Still a painfully long trip for Robbinsville, if it comes to that. Insane...
Lumberton is traveling to Davie County in the 7A West bracket.... nuts

No problem man it happens it will be a long haul to wilson preparatory if we get that far yeah i thought they were trying to cut down on long road trips for the playoffs but their not it was the same way last year

 

[MoDean]

If the trip was reversed it wouldn’t be all that bad. Atleast Wilson would get to see the mountains. Unfortunately for Robbinsville - yall just get to see Wilson

At least they can get some real bbq there

 

[Wow71]

RVille-Wilson Prep redo in the semifinals this time instead of the state title game. NS Pinetown walks to the East Finals. CC vs. WS Prep should be another good game as they played to a 30-24 the last time with CC pulling it out late to win. WSP has some dangerous athletes that can make big plays. CC QB is very good at throwing and running.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

3 seed driving 6 hours for a third rd game.

 

[Tarheel50]

I think people are sleeping on Mitchell a little bit, when their QB is healthy it's a team that could make a run in my opinion

Having seen that team, I’ll have to disagree. Sure they beat us by 1 pt, but we’re not that team anymore. We were without Gibby and Lambert who hasn’t played much at all due to a hamstring injury. I think rville wins by 21 if they played today. No offense. That tells me Murphy wins by 21+. What you’re saying would ultimately depend on the draw.

 

[MHHS"12]

Having seen that team, I’ll have to disagree. Sure they beat us by 1 pt, but we’re not that team anymore. We were without Gibby and Lambert who hasn’t played much at all due to a hamstring injury. I think rville wins by 21 if they played today. No offense. That tells me Murphy wins by 21+. What you’re saying would ultimately depend on the draw.

Idk about that I'd say Mitchell is slightly better than Cherokee but I do agree Robbinsville would probably win that game if played today they probably should have won the first time.

 

[Truthteller2025]

Starmount has to play that is for sure. Most likely the road will be Swain, MIC/Mitchell, Murphy, then Corvian! If the Rams show up to play they have what it takes but they will definitely be tested early!

 

[corviancardinallover]

Starmount has to play that is for sure. Most likely the road will be Swain, MIC/Mitchell, Murphy, then Corvian! If the Rams show up to play they have what it takes but they will definitely be tested early!

the difference between the 1 and 2 seed is certainly an important one. corvian vs east wilkes will be a good but challenging test for us. expecting some upsets this post season

 

[80prepster]

Starmount has to play that is for sure. Most likely the road will be Swain, MIC/Mitchell, Murphy, then Corvian! If the Rams show up to play they have what it takes but they will definitely be tested early!

From the way I understand it, the Rams will not be on the road, but at home, IF they take care of their opponents….up to the western final at Corvian, IF Corvian takes care of their business….
I don’t like first round byes. It interrupts the rhythm of the season. And teams like Elkin Avery, Bradford Prep, and South Stokes do not deserve to be in the state playoffs!

 

[Deacs&Rams]

Starmount has to play that is for sure. Most likely the road will be Swain, MIC/Mitchell, Murphy, then Corvian! If the Rams show up to play they have what it takes but they will definitely be tested early!

That's the price you pay for refusing to play one ounce of defense vs EW.

 

[swe98]

No problem man it happens it will be a long haul to wilson preparatory if we get that far yeah i thought they were trying to cut down on long road trips for the playoffs but their not it was the same way last year

That cutting down on long road trips was done during the whole "pod" experiment. Having the playoffs based on distance betweens schools was terrible. So many rematches in the first round....ugh. Who wants to play conference opponents in round 1 of the playoffs? I'm glad they stopped doing that. The playoffs are about seeing different teams from different areas. I like that teams have to travel. Going west to east and vice versa is too much though.