2A football playoffs: Polk to travel to Southwestern Randolph for opener

Polk County will travel to Southwestern Randolph for the first round of the state 2A playoffs according to brackets released Saturday by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

The Wolverines (6-3) are the 17th seed in the 2A West field and will travel to face the Cougars (8-2). Southwestern Randolph passed Polk County in the RPI ratings used for the first time this season by the NCHSAA to determine playoff qualifiers and seeds, giving the Cougars the 16th seed and the home game.

Southwestern Randolph will host a playoff game for the first time in school history and will also be looking for its first postseason win. The Cougars set a school record for wins in a season with Friday’s 53-6 thumping of Trinity.

The Cougars have averaged 40 points per game with an offense led by quarterback Keaton Reed, tailback Easton Clapp and receiver Adam Cole, who set a school record this season with more than 20 touchdowns.

Polk County’s 21-19 win Friday over Brevard knocked the Blue Devils out of the playoffs, with Brevard one of the first teams not in the field. Hendersonville received the 5th seed and will host West Stanly, with Chase earning the 13th seed and hosting Pine Lake Prep

A Polk County win in the first round would advance the Wolverines to face the winner of the Shelby-Owen game.