Football Friday Blog: Let the Playoffs Begin!

I love this week in high school football. Always have and always will. The first round of the state playoffs has always been magical to me as 128 schools begin their quest for a state championship.

Some teams have no chance at all, but they still go into Friday night with that small glimmer of hope. Many others believe they can go all the way. Upsets will happen. There will be joy and happiness on one sideline, gloom and hurt on the other. Competition will be fierce. School pride will soar.

Each week for the next five, the field will get smaller and smaller until, finally, eight champions will be crowned. And for those teams that are fortunate enough to win it all, it is something those players will never forget. Twenty years from now, the memories of playing on a championship team will seem like yesterday. I’ve been around it a long time, and what high school sports means and has meant to me has never diminished.

It will be fun and exciting, and I hope all who will begin play on Friday are proud to be there. Win or lose, being part of a team is something very special. I hope the thrill of just having the chance to compete is something that will always be treasured. A ride to remember is about to begin.

This Friday is somewhat like a regular season week. The only difference is that there is just a little bit more traveling for our crews. Next week, though, there is even more time behind the wheel.

This Friday night, we plan on covering 28 games involving schools from 26 counties.

Here’s what we have planned – subject to change, of course.

Southeast Raleigh at Leesville Road

Cary at Wake Forest-Rolesville

Durham Jordan at Garner

Wilmington Laney at Southern Durham

Wilmington Ashley at Durham Hillside

Pasquotank at Northwood

Wakefield at Athens Drive

Chapel Hill at Middle Creek

Seventy-First at Fuquay-Varina

Dixon at Louisburg

Fike at Hunt

Ardrey Kell at Person

D.H. Conley at Oxford Webb

Cedar Ridge at Warren County

West Stanly at Southern Vance

Rosewood at James Kenan

Hobbton at Union

Clayton at South View

Apex at Jack Britt

Southern Lee at South Johnson

Millbrook at West Johnston

Terry Sanford at Pine Forest

Cape Fear at Greenville Rose

Bunn at Greene Central

East Duplin at Goldsboro

Beddingfield at Southern Wayne

Union Pines at Rocky Mount

Jacksonville at Nash Central

The number to phone in your score is 1-888-472-9725. It’s especially important for Triangle schools that are playing at out-of-area schools. It is the best way to make sure that we get your score.

I wish all the best of luck. I hope the victors will win with class and sportsmanship. I hope those who come out on the short end will lose with grace and dignity.

How you play the game does indeed matter.