Seven teams advance to NCHSAA football playoffs

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on November 6, 2010 11:11 PM

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CHAPEL HILL -- Two-time Carolina 1-A Conference champion Goldsboro High is the No. 3 seed overall in the 2010 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA (large-school) football playoffs.

Under the new pod system, the Cougars are the top seed in the Mideast and will play host to Midway in opening-round action Friday. Goldsboro (8-3 overall) is making its fourth straight appearance in the postseason with head coach and alum Eric Reid.

The Association adopted the pod system to reduce travel and expenses, particularly in the first round. Teams are divided into four regions -- East, Mideast, Midwest and West. Regional placement is based on geographical location according to GPS numbers.

Overall, seven teams in the News-Argus readership area claimed either an automatic bid or received an at-large invitation to the postseason.

Perennial powerhouse James Kenan (6-5) is seeded fifth in the 1-AA Mideast region and travels to Tri-County foe Union, which beat the Tigers during the regular season. The winner faces the Goldsboro-Midway victor in second-round play.

Eastern Carolina Conference co-champion Eastern Wayne (8-3) is the No. 4 seed in the East 3-A (small-school) region. The Warriors entertain Southern Vance at Little Big Horn.

Southern Wayne (5-6) is the No. 7 seed in the same region and travels to Hertford County. The Bears are the No. 2 seed overall behind Coastal champion Havelock.

Rosewood is seeded third in the Midwest 1-A pod and plays host to sixth-seeded South Davidson. Archrival Princeton, which advanced to the western semifinals a year ago, is seeded No. 8 in the same region and was the last team selected to the playoffs.

North Duplin (4-7) returns to the postseason and is the No. 5 seed in the Mideast. The Rebels travel to fourth-seeded Weldon.

All games are currently scheduled for Friday with 7:30 p.m. kickoffs. However, game times and dates are subject to change.