Football playoff pairings announced

The NCHSAA announced football playoff brackets on Saturday. Hopewell, North Mecklenburg and Lake Norman, along with fellow I-Meck members Vance, West Charlotte and Mallard Creek are in the 4AA playoffs.

East Lincoln is the No. 3 seed in the 2AA West bracket.

First round pairings:

Class 4AA West:

No. 9 Lake Norman at No. 8 West Forsyth
No. 13 North Mecklenburg at No. 4 Olympic
No. 14 Hopewell at No. 3 Mallard Creek

(Butler is No. 1 in he 4AA bracket.)

Class 2AA West:

No. 14 Ashe County at No. 3 East Lincoln


Some interesting notes: North Mecklenburg beat Olympic in the first game of the season 41-30, leading to a 5-1 start. Hopewell lost their last match-up with conference foe Mallard Creek 14-41.

The first round games will be played Friday. For full playoff brackets, go to www.nchsaa.org.