NNS Teams Ready for NCHSAA Soccer Playoffs

Local Teams Ready for NCHSAA Soccer Playoffs

The NCHSAA released its state soccer playoff brackets Sunday, and four area programs — Jones Senior, Greene Central, South Lenoir, and North Lenoir — are gearing up for postseason play.

In the 1A bracket, No. 14 Jones Senior earned a first-round bye and will advance directly to the second round, where the Trojans will take on No. 3 Falls Lake. It’s a well-deserved break for a team that has battled through a strong regular season and now looks to make a statement on the road against one of the top seeds in the classification.

In the 3A bracket, No. 3 Greene Central also picked up a first-round bye and will host the winner of No. 14 Beddingfield and No. 19 Heide Trask in the second round. The Rams have been one of the region’s most consistent teams this fall, combining offensive firepower with disciplined defense as they aim to make another deep playoff run in front of their home crowd.

Meanwhile, No. 23 South Lenoir will travel to face No. 10 Spring Creek in the first round. The Blue Devils enter as underdogs but have shown resilience throughout the season, and a road win would set up a potential matchup with a higher-seeded opponent in the second round.

Rounding out the local qualifiers, No. 14 North Lenoir will host No. 19 North Johnston in the opening round of the 4A playoffs. The Hawks will look to capitalize on home-field advantage, with the winner moving on to meet No. 3 North Pitt in round two.