Since everybody has asked for it (ok. nobody has, but you KNOW you want it!), here's the breakdown of where the top 25 teams are by region based on the final regular season ncpreps 2A rankings (can't guarantee that I have all of them in the geographic region they naturally fall in, but hopefully reasonably close):
Western/Mountains(10 ranked teams)- Hilbriten (4), Maiden (5), South Point (6), Burns (8), Chase (13), R-S Central (14), Pisgah (17), Ashe (19), Forbush (23), Bunker Hill (24)
Central/Piedmont (8 ranked teams)- Reidsville (1), North Davidson (3), Shelby (7), Mount Pleasant (9), Randleman (10), Oak Grove (11), Salisbury (12), Eastern Randolph (25)
Eastern/Coastal Plain(7 ranked teams)- Clinton (2), Washington (15), Kinston (16), Croatan (18), St. Pauls (20), Northeastern (21), SW Onslow (22)
So w/o much regard to a team's actual ranking(way too much variability is strengths of schedules to compare w/o numerous common opponents) , but if we're pretty much in agreement that these teams are a good representation of the top 25 teams give-or-take, it appears that quality football is fairly evenly spread across the state. While by my calculation (and ability to look at a map!) the West is currently a little better represented that the other two regions, it's not enough to claim a clear superiority, in fact close enough that wouldn't surprise me if from year-to-year these 3 regions toggle back-and-forth (or perhaps by the end of this years playoffs!). To me, looking at our state from a 3-region approach is more accurate than a straight-up East/West comparison (unless you're willing to accept that Reidsville has somehow been picked up and moved to Eastern N.C...but if it has, then welcome!). Again, just a fun way to compare football across our great state. Some of us old timers (looking at you Wiz!) will remember how each week back in the 60's/early 70's, Sports Illustrated, instead of having a top 20 ranking (no top 25 in those days), listed their top 5 by region: East, West, North and South.
Western/Mountains(10 ranked teams)- Hilbriten (4), Maiden (5), South Point (6), Burns (8), Chase (13), R-S Central (14), Pisgah (17), Ashe (19), Forbush (23), Bunker Hill (24)
Central/Piedmont (8 ranked teams)- Reidsville (1), North Davidson (3), Shelby (7), Mount Pleasant (9), Randleman (10), Oak Grove (11), Salisbury (12), Eastern Randolph (25)
Eastern/Coastal Plain(7 ranked teams)- Clinton (2), Washington (15), Kinston (16), Croatan (18), St. Pauls (20), Northeastern (21), SW Onslow (22)
So w/o much regard to a team's actual ranking(way too much variability is strengths of schedules to compare w/o numerous common opponents) , but if we're pretty much in agreement that these teams are a good representation of the top 25 teams give-or-take, it appears that quality football is fairly evenly spread across the state. While by my calculation (and ability to look at a map!) the West is currently a little better represented that the other two regions, it's not enough to claim a clear superiority, in fact close enough that wouldn't surprise me if from year-to-year these 3 regions toggle back-and-forth (or perhaps by the end of this years playoffs!). To me, looking at our state from a 3-region approach is more accurate than a straight-up East/West comparison (unless you're willing to accept that Reidsville has somehow been picked up and moved to Eastern N.C...but if it has, then welcome!). Again, just a fun way to compare football across our great state. Some of us old timers (looking at you Wiz!) will remember how each week back in the 60's/early 70's, Sports Illustrated, instead of having a top 20 ranking (no top 25 in those days), listed their top 5 by region: East, West, North and South.