September 10, 2026 • 10:12 AM ET
Football: Projected playoff seeds, cut-line clashes dominate Week 4 schedule
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- •There are 138 ranked-vs-ranked football games scheduled between Sept. 10 and Sept. 14.
- •The 7A classification features the busiest slate this week with 29 matchups.
- •Richlands and South Brunswick face off in a 5A game that directly affects the 48-team playoff cut line.
- •Several contests this week, including Cherryville vs. Highland Tech, serve as tiebreakers for first-round bye positions.
The N.C. High School Athletic Association football season reaches a critical juncture this week with 138 ranked-vs-ranked matchups on the docket.
With Bracket Lab projections now providing a clearer view of the postseason path, teams are jostling for position across all eight classifications.
The 7A division leads the way with 29 featured matchups, followed closely by 5A with 25. One of the week's most pivotal games occurs Friday when Richlands and South Brunswick meet in a 5A cut-line clash, with the winner gaining the inside track on a playoff spot.
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