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What's your thought on number of playoff teams

but it will be a battle in the SMC as it usually is!!
SMC looks pretty down going into this season truthfully, in my opinion even more so than last year. Other than Murphy and Cherokee I don't see anyone that looks to be better on paper compared to last season. If Murphy is as good as I expect them to be and they avoid injuries there's going to be a gap between them and the rest of the conference in my opinion.

Robbinsville will have talent as always but it's mostly going to be sophomores, hard to win the SMC with 10th graders. Swain will have young talent as well but they had veteran talent last year and still had a very poor season. Andrews graduated a ton and Hayesville lost a lot of seniors as well, I don't see the necessary talent moving up from JV or stepping in to think either will be as talented as last year. Cherokee had a strong JV team in 2023, those kids will be sophomores and juniors this year so I'd expect some improvement from the Braves this season.
 
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SMC looks pretty down going into this season truthfully, in my opinion even more so than last year. Other than Murphy and Cherokee I don't see anyone that looks to be better on paper compared to last season. If Murphy is as good as I expect them to be and they avoid injuries there's going to be a gap between them and the rest of the conference in my opinion.

Robbinsville will have talent as always but it's mostly going to be sophomores, hard to win the SMC with 10th graders. Swain will have young talent as well but they had veteran talent last year and still had a very poor season. Andrews graduated a ton and Hayesville lost a lot of seniors as well, I don't see the necessary talent moving up from JV or stepping in to think either will be as talented as last year. Cherokee had a strong JV team in 2023, those kids will be sophomores and juniors this year so I'd expect some improvement from the Braves this season.
I agree with most of your premise. I do think Hayesville may improve if they can get consistent QB play. Last year it was a revolving door. They had 4 different kids play the position and even had to start a FB/LB at QB in the Pisgah game. Probably 2 candidates for now, one was the JV QB last year, the other is a rising Jr. with a big arm who needs to improve his decision making.
 
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Cherokee is supposably hiring a very good football coach that at one time won three straight state championship rings...hope braves can turn things around. Go Braves!
 
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I still believe the SMC is tough and my point proven from the comments above I like Murphy for sure, but don't sleep on Robbinsville or Hayesville I think Cherokee is about a year or 2 away from being good!!
 
Who in the west will be challenging Tarboro this year? There was obviously a huge gap between Tarboro and all other western teams last year too.

I don’t think there will be that big of a drop off for Tarboro this year. Who in the west is taking a big step?
Agree! At the skill positions, we are going to be very good. I trust that the coaches can bring this young line along.
 
As always taking shots at the Vikings. But you don't hate Tarboro supposedly right? Yeah ok🤣. BTW Edenton is in 2a this year but I'm sure you ignored that. Six of the last 8 years Surry county schools sleepwalked to the title game so what does that say about the West? Funny how you refuse to discuss that part🤣
Surry County teams walked to the playoffs???? Wrong! Robbinsville ER Draughn Murphy just to name a few of those cake walks.
 
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As always taking shots at the Vikings. But you don't hate Tarboro supposedly right? Yeah ok🤣. BTW Edenton is in 2a this year but I'm sure you ignored that. Six of the last 8 years Surry county schools sleepwalked to the title game so what does that say about the West? Funny how you refuse to discuss that part🤣
Surry County has 6 High Schools, 1 of which is Millennium Charter. Name the 6 sleepwalkers. :);)
 
Word it that the NCHSAA wanted less teams to qualify for the 1A and 8A playoffs but state legislators pressured them to the numbers they will go with. Can anyone substantiate?
 
If they combine 1A/2A, then what's the point in having 1A and 2A in the first place?
 
Its a little over a month away before full practices begin and under 2 months for week 1. When is the playoff formats going to be decided or have I missed something?
 
Waiting GIF
 
Its a little over a month away before full practices begin and under 2 months for week 1. When is the playoff formats going to be decided or have I missed something?
According to Google
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) is implementing a new eight-class system for the upcoming 2025-2029 realignment cycle, including changes to the playoff format. The largest classification (8A) will have a smaller bracket with 24 teams, while the other seven classifications (1A-7A) will have 48-team brackets. The top 16 seeds in each class will receive a first-round bye, according to the Charlotte Observer.
 
According to Google
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) is implementing a new eight-class system for the upcoming 2025-2029 realignment cycle, including changes to the playoff format. The largest classification (8A) will have a smaller bracket with 24 teams, while the other seven classifications (1A-7A) will have 48-team brackets. The top 16 seeds in each class will receive a first-round bye, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Just to add, all teams will be seeded based on their RPI. Conference finish has nothing to do with seeding or automatically qualifying for playoffs. That includes no leap frog rule anymore.
 
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