Trust me. Don't put your money on anyone over Tarboro
I have to agree with you the way that Tarboro has smashed just about every team on their schedule....Now that WRH is in 2A, I think the door is wide open for the Vikings to step through it...Holmes will be tough no doubt, but Tarboro with their rich recent tradition and basically the same coaching staff that helped develop that tradition, may be just too tough to deal with in the East for any of the 1AA schools..
As far as the West 1AA, East Wilkes, Mount Airy, North Rowan, and possibilly North Stanly will be tough to handle, and wouldn't be surprised to see any of those teams in the 1AA Finals..Still not sure if Bessemer City can match up with any of those 4 schools, but the Yellowjackets are definitely having a historic season this year....West Montgomery and possibilly South Stanly could also play a factor come playoff time as could East Surry....You just never know?
As for the small 1A playoffs, Murphy has the skill players, tradition and coaching to make it back, and defend their 1A title....Don't sleep on either Robbinsville, Cherokee, MICS or Mitchell Co. because all 4 of those teams will have a big say in who makes it to the 1A Championship out of the West....Don't know which class South Stanly will be in, but the Rebel Bulls could be a factor should they be classified as a small 1A playoff participant?
As for the East, North Duplin looks like the early favorite to make it to the title game, but Plymouth or maybe Northampton if they are small could challenge....Don't know how it will shake out for Lakewood, and whether the Leopards will be big or small, but they too will be a factor if in the 1A playoffs, and Southside who was humbled by North Duplin a few weeks ago, would I'm sure like to have another crack at the Rebels come playoff time?....Still lots to sort out yet, and we all know how injuries to key personnel, can really change a team's season in a hurry...Hopefully, all the 1A teams will have their full compliment of players come playoff time...
No sense in me debating the issue about the SMC because it's proven in the last 7 years that it is the best conference with Swain, Robbinsville and Murphy all claiming state titles and state runnerup finishes, during that span....
Will agree though that it has been pretty much a top heavy conference during that time, but Cherokee is crashing the party this year, and small 1A schools will have to deal with the Braves come playoff time....
Just my two cents!