East Lincoln, West Lincoln, Lincolnton, Maiden, and even Cherryville made the NCHSAA football playoffs when the brackets were announced Saturday (Oct. 29th). North Lincoln did not.
The NCHSAA announced its brackets for the football playoffs on Saturday. With the change last year, there are no longer any AA and A brackets, just 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.
East Lincoln was seeded #4 in the West region 3A. The #1 seed went to Kings Mountain, #2 to West Henderson, and #3 to Oak Grove. The Mustangs (10-0) opponent in round one next Friday will be #29 Ashe County (3-7). If they win that first game, their second round opponent will be the winner of a game between #20 Forestview (4-6) and #13 Tuscola (9-1).
Maiden didn't get the top spot in the 2A West playoffs. The Blue Devils (9-1) were seeded #5. The #1 seed went to Reidsville (9-1), #2 to East Surry (10-0), #3 to Burns (9-1) and #4 to Community School of Davidson (9-1). Maiden will host #28 Polk County (5-5) next Friday. A win will put them up against the winner of a game between Walkertown and Mt. Pleasant the following week.
The Burns Bulldogs will start with #30 Morehead (4-6) next week. Their second round opponent may well be defending state 2A champion Shelby, the team Burns beat Friday night. The Golden Lions (6-4) were seeded #19 and will play at #14 Forest Hills (9-1) next Friday.
West Lincoln got the #18 2A West region seed. The Rebels will travel to Hendersonville (8-2), seeded #15, next Friday. If both they and Lincolnton win their first two games, they would have a rematch in the third round.
Lincolnton (5-5) was seeded #23 and will also play an away game at #10 Randleman (7-3) in the first round.
Bunker Hill (9-1) was seeded #13. The Bears will host #20 East Davidson (6-4) in round one.
Although they only won two games and lost eight, Cherryville made the 1A playoffs. They were seeded #25 in the West and will play at #8 Robbinsville (7-3) next Friday. Bessemer City is also included in the 1A playoffs. The Yellow Jackets (3-7) were seeded #18 and will play at #15 Mtn. Island Charter (4-5) next Friday. Even though they didn't win a game--or come close to winning one--Highland Tech (0-10) was seeded #31 in the 1A playoffs. They will visit #2 Andrews (10-0) next Friday. Thomas Jefferson (2-8) was seeded #23 and will visit #10 East Wilkes (8-2) next Friday.
East Gaston (6-4) was seeded #29 in the 2A West. They'll visit #4 Community School of Davidson (9-1) next Friday.
South Point (9-1) was seeded #11 in 3A and will host #22 Hickory (7-3) next Friday. Crest (7-3) was seeded #14 and will host #19 Statesville (7-3) next week. Stuart Cramer (4-6) got the #25 3A West seed and will play at #8 West Charlotte (5-5) next Friday. Ashbrook (4-6) was seeded #28 and will visit #5 Northwest Cabarrus ((9-1) in round one.
North Lincoln is not in the playoffs. It turns out that was a decision by the coaching staff. CarolinaVarsity.com posted on Facebook:
Carolina Varsity fans, this statement was released by North Lincoln Athletic Director Dennis Frye in regards to opting out of the playoffs. After contacting him via email:
"In regards to the State 3A Football Playoffs, after much discussion with the coaching staff, (we decided) to opt out. Our team has been decimated by injuries this season. We lost 3 more players Friday night. For the health and safety of our players, the decision was made. It was a difficult decision to make, but one we feel like is in the best interest of our student-athletes. Hope this provides some clarity and understanding to the decision that NLHS made."
