The hunt for high school football playoff glory starts

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Undefeated Hough High, the No. 1 team in The Post's Magnificent Seven rankings, has a first round bye in the North Carolina 8A football playoffs.

It’s November, and that means high school football playoffs.

North Carolina’s tournament season kicks off Friday and every team in the Magnificent Seven is in the hunt for a state title, with No. 6 Providence and No. 7 Palisades the only squads to not earn a first-round bye. 
Three M7 teams – Hough, West Charlotte and Myers Park – have an extra week to prepare in the 8A draw.

8A

(9) Palisades at (8) South Mecklenburg. The Pumas (7-3, 4-1 Southwestern 7A/8A) might still be steamed over losing the conference title to Providence but must pull themselves together for a road trip to South Mecklenburg (7-3, 3-2 Southwestern 7A/8A), which is looking to make noise against the No. 7 squad in the Magnificent Seven. 

The Sabres are 2-2 in their final four games while the Pumas are 3-1.

(10) Ardrey Kell at (7) Providence. The Knights (6-4, 3-2 Southwestern 7A/8A), have an opportunity to add shine to a decent season. 

All they have to do is take down Providence (7-3, 5-0 Southwestern 7A/8A) in a rematch of the season finale won by the Panthers 28-14. Providence is No. 6 in the Magnificent Seven.

(11) Chambers at (6) Pinecrest. The Cougars (4-6, 2-3 Meck Power Six 7A/8A) had more than their share of struggles in North Carolina’s toughest conference. Is that experience enough to knock off Pinecrest’s Patriots (8-2) which finished second in the Mid-South 7A/8A behind Richmond Senior?

First round byes: (1) Hough, (2) West Charlotte, (3) Myers Park, (4) Mallard Creek.

7A

(24) West Mecklenburg at (9) Davie County. The 1-9 Hawks look for a huge upset when they take on 6-4 Davie County.

(20) Hopewell at (13) Butler. The Titans (4-6, 2-3 Greater Charlotte 7A/8A) showed some improvement this season. Can they parlay it into an upset when they go to Butler (4-6, 2-3 Meck Power Six 7A/8A)?

Bye: (3) Independence.

6A

(21) Ragsdale at (12) Olympic. The Trojans had a fine first season in the Greater Metro 6A/7A), going 7-0 in conference play and 8-2 overall. 

They host a 3-7 Ragsdale squad that started the season 0-7 before closing with three straight Metro 6A/7A games to finish fourth.

Bye: (8) Charlotte Catholic.

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