Five area teams set for postseason play

The North Carolina High School Athletics Association released its football playoffs matchups Saturday.

Five local teams — Rocky Mount High, Southern Nash, Tarboro, SouthWest Edgecombe and North Edgecombe — made the cut.

The Gryphons (6-4) who finished second in the Big East Conference this season, drew the No. 8 seed in the 3-AA bracket. Rocky Mount will play host to Winterville South Central on Friday.

“We were hoping to get one game at home,” Rocky Mount coach Dickie Schock said. “We thought we would be a 7 or an 8 seed. South Central’s a pretty good team. We saw them on film earlier this season against (Greenville) Rose.”

Rocky Mount has played in the 3-A bracket in past seasons, but its ADM — the number used by the NCHSAA based on the school’s population — put them in the 3-AA this season.

Southern Nash (8-2), which placed third in the Big East, is a No. 11 seed. The Firebirds will travel to No. 6 Erwin Triton on Friday night.

Tarboro, last season’s 2-A state runner up, drew a No. 6 seed. The Vikings (9-1) will play host to No. 11 Croatan (6-4) on Friday night.

“We’re very excited to be in the playoffs,” said Tarboro coach Jeff Craddock, whose team finished second in the Eastern Plains Conference. “We don’t complain about the seeds or who we’re playing. It’s step one, and we’re excited to be in it. Hopefully, we’ll play well Friday night.”

SouthWest Edgecombe (10-0), the Eastern Plains Conference champion, drew a No. 2 seed in the 2-AA bracket. The Cougars will play host to West Stanly (5-5) on Friday night. The Cougars, who finished undefeated in the regular season, could face Northside Jacksonville or Cedar Ridge in the second round.

North Edgecombe makes a return to the playoffs for the first time in two seasons. The Warriors (5-4) are a No. 7 seed. They will play host to No. 10 Columbia (5-4) on Friday night.

“We’re definitely glad to host a first-round game,” Warriors coach Danny Ward said. “It’s been a while since we’ve done that. I hope we go out and represent our school and our community the best we can.”