A few Raider fans are conspicuous by their absence. We know they would've been the first ones on here crowing, but that vaunted passing attack let them down last night.

Who will they blame now? Is it the good ol boy that's left over from the other regime? Is it the fact Richmond was one dimensional coming in? Or is it simply because Scotland is better?

The 1AA playoffs should be very entertaining right from the outset...23 of the 32 total 1AA playoff teams have winning records with both sides of the Brackets having their share of Heavyweights....

Looking at the East:
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There are some very interesting first round matchups, and here's a few that I'm interested in....

1).#6 Riverside-Martin hosting #11 Union--The Knights were clearly the 2nd best team from the Two Rivers Conference, while the Spartans play in the tough 1A/2A FCC, and have only lost to 1A schools Lakewood and Wallace Rose-Hill, this season...On paper, the Knights look to have the better offense, while the Spartans seem to be a little stronger on defense, so it'll be interesting to see which unit for both teams make the difference in the outcome of this first round matchup?

2).#9 Princeton at #8 Camden County---Clearly, the Bulldogs have improved since that terrible start to the season, and proved that in the season-ending win over Rosewood...Meanwhile, Camden was expected to challenge Plymouth for the C-10 Crown this year, and Plymouth is the only 1A school to beat the Bruins this year, but it just seemed as though the Bruins finished the season going thru the motions, while the Bulldogs were steadily improving....Just an opinion from the outside looking in, based on late season results?....I'll be interested to see which trend continues, and who moves on to the 2nd round matchup with the Top Dog( #1 Wallace Rose Hill) litteraly and figurably from the 1AA East?

3).#5 seed Granville Central will be at home this year for their first round matchup with #12 Gates County...The Panthers blitzed all the 1A schools in the Tar-Roanoke, and should be on a roll for their first round matchup and first meeting with the Red Barons, but a weak conference can sometimes balance the scales in these first round matchups....The wildcard is that Granville Central has one of the best QBs in the state in Jay Parker, so does that give the Panthers the edge over visiting Gates County?...A likely trip to Beaufort to face #4 seeded East Carteret looms for the winner in the 2nd round with the possibility of a great matchup between two of the best 1A QBs in the state as the Mariners have a great signal-caller themselves, in Sr. QB Brennan Lewis....

Don't think that the top 4 1A Eastern Heavyweights Tarboro,James Kenan,WRH or East Carteret will have any trouble with their first round opponents, but those possbile 3rd and 4th round games should be great if the favorites meet?

In the West
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13 of the 16 playoff qualifiers have a winning record, which should make for some very interesting matchups right from the outset, and here's a few first round games that I'm interested in?

1).Anytime that you have a matchup between 2 storied 1A Programs that have played and won state championships in the 1A class: There's going to be some intrigue, and that will be the case this friday night in Bryson City when the Maroondevils entertain the team that ended their season last year....Starmount lost a lot to graduation last year after finishing as the state 1AA runnerup, and that showed early in the season, but the Rams seemed to have found their rhythm just in time for the playoffs to start....Swain is coming off a brutal stretch of facing 3 straight physical SMC opponents that cost them a QB and a bunch of bumps and bruises to go with it, and left them with the bitter taste of watching Robbinsville celebrate another SMC Championship after losing to the Black Knights 22-7 last friday night at Big Oaks Stadium....I've given this game a bigger buildup than what was needed because really all that is needed to be said, is Rams vs the Maroondevils in Round #1!

2). Pine Lake Prep who was riding-high with a 10-game winning-streak before losing in the season finale at The Community School of Davidson had better right the ship in a hurry, or the Pride could be looking at an early exit and a streak of a different kind to close the season....Walkertown is poised to make some noise as they say, and have a veteran team full of atheletes that has played argubly one of the toughest 1A schedules in the state...A team's attitude heading into the playoffs often tells a lot about what's going to happen, but will that be the case this friday when the Pride face the Wolfpack?

3).As with game #2, can East Montgomery pick themselves back up after that emotional home loss to West Montgomery last friday for the YVC Title?....On the other side, how effective will Antonio Williams be after suffering the late season injury that sidelined him for a game or two?...Remember, East beat North earlier in the season with a healthy Williams, so who wins the playoff rematch between these two YVC foes?

4).Can Mount Airy rebound after back-to-back conference losses to Walkertown and East Surry, and what about Whiteville who was in control of the undisputed Three Rivers Title until losing to 2A South Columbus in the finale?...Both teams coming off losses to bitter rivals who dashed their championship hopes...Of course, Whiteville still got a piece of the TRC Title, and the Wolfpack got a home playoff game with it, so does that give the Wolfpack the edge over the Bears, in this matchup?

5). 4th seeded Mitchell County remembers that trip to Whiteville last year....It was their final game of the season....The team the Mountaineers host in the first round is a team similar to what the Mountaineers were last year...A team on the rise!....The difference is that this year Mitchell County is more experienced, and now has a proven dual-threat at QB in Sophomore Ben Young...Behind Young is argubly one of the deepest RB corps in the 1A class...The Mustangs have had a couple weeks to prepare for their playoff matchup with Mitchell County, but will that be enough time to prepare for one of the top offenses in the 1A Class?

I guess one of the biggest storylines heading into the playoffs is which of the 3 unbeaten teams will be first to lose their first and last game of the season, and will the West be represented in the Championship game by the the last undefeated 1A team left standing?....The possible 2nd round playoff matchups for all 3 unbeaten teams, should be very entertaining to say the least....

Comments and Opinions are welcomed!

Roar Tigers Roar!

Doe we get in with 2 wins?
Do we get in with 3 wins?

If we get in who do we travel to? Predictions please!

After the Stallions convincing win at Red Springs, it makes things more interesting about Friday night when the Wolfpack comes to town. If the Stallions play as well as they did Friday night against the Red Devils, the Pack will have all they can stand. What's everyone thinking??

After an early season loss to James Kenan where WRH wasnt very sharp and JK played there best game of the season, the Dogs have grew up right before our eyes. They seem to be peaking at just the right time. Our defense is young and has grew up int one of the best defenses in all of 1aa. They are starting to look like a better team than they were last year.

Looking over the recent Brackets in the 1A playoffs, there's some interesting first round matchups:

Of the 32 playoff teams, only 14 teams have a winning-record with 3 teams at .500, meaning 15 teams enter the playoffs with a losing-record....No reason to discuss this since it's been hashed out so many times before, but it's not a good look for the NCHSAA when basically half the teams that qualify, have losing records...

Anyway, here's some interesting statewide 1A Playoff Matchups:

East
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There's 3 first round matchups that have some intrigue to me personally:

#11 seed North Edgecombe traveling to 6-seed Pamlico County...Both teams enter the game with identical 5-5 overall records, and don't know for sure whether these two teams have played before in the playoffs or not?...

#8 seed Kestrel Heights playing a first-round playoff game at home in spite of not playing in a football conference with other 1A schools, should be concerning for 1A schools moving-forward IMO?.... #9 seed Columbia who seems to be having one of their better seasons will be the visitor for Kestrel Heights in this playoff matchup......Who wins this matchup, and what is your feeling about the NCHSAA letting a team into the 1A Football Playoffs and giving them a home playoff game, even though that team didn't play ANY Conference Football Games?

#5 Seed Manteo hosting #12 Jones Sr. is a game that seems to be a tossup too me, but how about you?

Overall, Top-Seeded Plymouth once again seems to be the heavy favorite to return to the Title game for the 4th straight season, but think that #4 Seed South Creek might just give the Vikings a tussle in the 3rd round?....#2 Southside looks to be the favorite to meet Plymouth in the Eastern Final....

West
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Right at the Top of the list of must-see first round matchups is #13 Seed Albemarle traveling to face #4 Seed Thomas Jefferson....The Bulldogs might have been a little down this year, but they are in a perfect situation to make some real noise in the playoffs...Better watch out for Albemarle in the top-half of the Bracket?

#7 Mountain Island Charter and #10 WS Prep will meet this coming friday for the first time ever, and it will also be the first time that either team has played a playoff game in school history?....Who has the edge?....It's hard too tell from the outside looking-in, but it is an intriguing matchup between the Phoenix and the Raptors?....

Which SMC school will get the first shot at the Top Seed Community School of Davidson in the 2nd round?....Will it be a rested #8 Seed Andrews who had the week off last week with their last win at home, coming 3 weeks ago against #9 Seed Cherokee who will be their opponent in the first round?

#6 Rosman will entertain the #11 Alleghany Trojans for the first time in the first round....The two teams met once before back in 1993 in the first round in Sparta with the Tigers winning that first-ever matchup 31-13...A Tiger win would likely setup a 2nd round playoff matchup at #3 Murphy who will be a heavy favorite in the first round against #14 Bishop McGuinness, and the Bulldogs just beat the Tigers 21-6 on friday in Murphy to end the Regular Season....

Overall, A Robbinsville/Plymouth rematch in the 1A Final looks like a REAL possibility heading into the playoffs...Be interesting to see if that matchup happens, or whether some team from the East or West surprises the Championship Favorites?

On a personal note: Look forward to watching the Tigers this friday in Rosman against the Alleghany Trojans...

Comments and Opinions welcomed!

Roar Tigers Roar!

Any thoughts or predictions think this should be a easy win for us but sometimes playoff football is anything but easy and no guaranteed victories it's win or go play basketball..... Biggest thing for Clinton don't let last weeks game beat you Friday night..look to see a re focused team come Friday night #Unfinished Business

What can Crest look forward to?

Devil is in the details. After Dudley fiasco, you would have thought a veteran bunch would have been more diligent. oh well.

I would like to listen to my alleghany trojans on friday.

2015 Football Brackets
http://www.nchsaa.org/sports/football

Prayers passed on to all at Bishop for their loss. I am so sorry for the loss of your principal, Mr. Repass.
Posted in todays 11/9/2015 Winston Salem Journal ,From Bishops website : http://www.bmhs.us/apps/news/article/513651

Congrats to gal durnit, the regular-season champion. And kw23 joins the ranks of weekly winners with a perfect 55.

The principal started the investigation in October and self reported.

http://aberdeentimes.com/index.php/...est-principle-about-football-rules-violations

Thomasville wins 17-14

Anyone got any thoughts or predictions for this big game Friday night? A big game for 3rd place in the Mid-State 3-A. Based on reputation I think a lot of people are picking Northern but after playing both this year I feel that Morehead is a superior team. I think Morehead gets the win and third place. And yes I'm not shy to say that is what I'm hoping for as well!

who do have on this one


56-14

RC - is better than I thought an by a long shot. After watching them the first half I knew they had improved but they flat out beat the shiznit out of PC the second half. They are aggressive as all get out with their play calling and they saw how sc ran all over PC with white and they did the same thing. I believe Metzger got out coached big time. PC was planning for the pass and RC punched them right in the mouth. RC gambled all night on D and PC didn't make them pay enough. On defense there are two big time players for RC it's Hunt #34 and #48 (name escapes me but plays just like the Bryant kid from Britt #7. He lives on the other side of the LOS. The rest of the guys play hard but do not jump off the charts like those 2. Offensively, Ziegler will be one of the best qb's in the state next year. The kid can play and he has an arm. Godwin kid #23 is quick and shifty runs hard. The show stopper on Offense is #88 Ellerbe (yes there is another one) Big time playmaker if he gets it in open field go line up for the extra point. RC wide receivers block their asses off down field. Better than SC's and that is saying a lot. Now where I see the scot's controlling the game - RC two offensive guards and center might avg 210 lbs between the 3 of them. They will have a hard time blocking our interior 3. To be quiet honest I think this is were the Raiders are going to be in deep do do. Next PC had receivers running free all night and when Ledbetter wasn't under or over throwing them they were darting through RC like a hot knife through butter.

Bottom line this game will match power against speed. Last thing someone tell coach Metzger that J. Dickerson #4 is the best player on the field and he needs more than 5 -6 touches a game. SMMFH all night long.

Cherokee 45 - Hayesville 28
Game was never close, but absolutely the WORST officiating I have ever seen. And they did not discriminate against Cherokee either! Jackets got their share of the " hose job" too. I really feel sorry for the rest of the SMC teams. At Cherokee, we at least get good officiating for 1/2 of our games! There are some good officials in the SMC, we just don't seem to get them!

I'm sorry, but it looked like the 3 Stooges out there last night! Again, not sour grapes, because we won! First game in my life that I saw a flag thrown "before" the opening kickoff!!!!! That should have been a clue of what was to come.

Ok, enough ranting. On to the playoffs!!

After the final regular season games, my record improved to 43-9. Almost 85% correct.

7 of the 8 teams in the playoffs. Congrats to all and I hope everyone can make it to the second round. I am guessing 4 out of the 7 will. Here we go!!!!

2AA
Clinton vs. North Brunswick- East Bladen scrimmaged North and I thought they had a chance to win their conference. They have a good QB and several good athletes but seem to struggle throughout the year. Clinton must re-focus after last week's emotional loss to WRH. I think Coach Lewis and the Darkhorses put that behind them and take care of the Scorpions. Skinner and company should have a big night. Clinton 42- North Brunswick 7

2A
East Bladen vs. Graham- This will be a great 7/10 matchup. Offensively, EB is really struggling but the D has come through for them the past 2 weeks. Graham likes to spread it out and has a big QB and a lightning quick RB. Graham's D might be a little suspect. If EB can contain those two and keep them out of the end zone EB will win in a close one. If Graham puts up 3 or 4 scores, the Eagles might go home early. I'm guessing EB's D will step it up. East Bladen 21- Graham 10

West Bladen @ Kinston- WB played about as well as they could Friday night and gave EB fits. A couple of lucky bounces WB's way and the outcome could have been different. Kinston has a bunch of athletes and I doubt the Knight's D will be able to stop them all game. WB will battle but it won't be enough. Kinston 38- West Bladen 21

Midway @ Hertford County- Midway's O struggled Friday night against Union which has hurt them most of the year. It looks like HC has no trouble scoring TD's. Unfortunately, Midway offensive struggles continue. Hertford County 34- Midway 12

1AA
Wallace-Rose Hill vs. Spring Creek- Spring Creek won't know what hit them. WRH will be flying high after last week's win over Clinton. This one will be over after the first quarter. Wallace-Rose Hill 63- Spring Creek 0

Union @ Riverside-Martin- This is my upset pick. Union has been under appreciated and under estimated all year. They have my utmost respect and I believe they will pull off this first round win. Union's D has been impressive and if they can get anything out of the offense, they will win. RS-M's schedule looks very weak and have been beating up on bottom dwellers all year. Union's been through the fire of the 4 County Conference and performed well. Union 28- Riverside-Martin 21

Heide-Trask @ Tarboro- I don't think Tarboro is as good as they have been in the past. With that said, Trask isn't very good either. Tarboro runs the ball at will and wins this one easily. Tarboro 49- Trask 21

I certainly understand the situation with Pinecrest being left out of the playoffs but the forfeit of their 1st game of the year to Overhills puts them in the playoffs. Since this game couldn't have been effected by the violation by Pinecrest being it was the first game. I totally understand with seeding process how Lumberton gets #3 from SEC. This had major change to the bracket setup. If someone can give me a rational explanation please do. BTW "that's what the rules are is not a rational explanation".

Chris Hughes reported a 4AA East team "dealt a crushing blow" because of 8 Quarter Rule. Any ideas who it is?

Only looking at the West

1-3- Comm School of Dav- Will finish 8-2 with win over cherryville and loss to Pine Lake Prep
1-3- T. Jefferson will finish 8-2 with loss to Pine Lake Prep and win over highland tech
1-3- Murphy will finish 8-2 beating Rosman???
4- Robbinsville will finish 7-3 with a win over cherokee and loss to swain
5-6- Rosman will finish 6-4 losing to Murphy???
5-6- North Stokes will finish 6-4 losing to E. Surry and beating Atkins
7-8- Andrews will finish 5-5 with win over Hayesville
7-8 Mountain Island Charter finishes 5-5 splitting their last two games (know nothing about that league)
9-11- Albemarle will finish 4-6 beating Union Academy and S. Stanley
9-11- WS Prep will finish 4-6 beating Atkins
9-11- Hayesville will finish 4-6 losing Andrews and probably beating Cherokee????????????
12-15- Cherokee will finish 3-7 losing to Robbinsville for sure, and probably to Hayesville????????????
12-15- South Stanley finishes 3-7 dropping games to North Stanley and Albemarle
12-15- Alleghany finishes 3-7 squeaking by Elkin, but losing to Starmount
12-15 Bishop McGuinness finishes 3-7 after loss to Walkertown
16- Union Academy finishes 2-8 with losses to Albemarle and North Stanley

Not sure how to break the ties with split conferences and 1A/1AA conferences. These are my predictions and I welcome anyone who can break it down further. Correct my mistakes with your own opinions! lol