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The arrival of colder temperatures coinciding with the end of Daylight Saving Time means one thing across North Carolina – the start of the high school football playoffs.

That annual event kicks-off this Friday night (Nov. 6) with 244 schools across the state in action. Meanwhile, another six schools received opening round byes and advance automatically to the second round on Nov. 13.

All games are sanctioned by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association who will crown state champions in four classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) on the weekend of Dec. 10-11.

Every public school team in the Roanoke-Chowan area qualified for the state play-offs. That list is led by Northampton County High School, who won their conference championship with a 7-0 record and finished the regular season at 8-2 overall. The Jaguars are seeded #4 in the Class 1A Eastern bracket and have an opening round bye.

Gates County and Bertie are also in the Class 1A playoff bracket.

The Red Barons (3-4 overall) were seeded #14 and will host #19 North Duplin (3-6) in this Friday’s opening round.

Bertie (1-6 overall) is seeded at #22 and will travel this Friday to face #11 West Columbus (4-5).

Hertford County (7-3 overall) earned the #18 seed. The Bears will hit the road for this Friday’s playoff opener as they travel to #15 Clinton (7-2). For HCHS fans planning on attending Friday’s game, Clinton High School uses a cashless admission policy. Tickets can be purchased on the gofan.co website or app. On site entry points will be staffed with individuals to assist fans who have not purchased a ticket in advance. A phone and credit or debit account is necessary to purchase a ticket at the gate.

Other notable state playoff games of local interest on Nov. 6 include:

Class 1A: #23 Jones Senior at #10 KIPP Pride

Class 1A: #25 NW Halifax at #8 Perquimans

Class 1A: #17 Weldon at #16 SE Halifax

Class 1A: #24 Chatham Central at #9 Riverside-Martin

Class 2A: #30 East Carteret (4-5) at #3 Northeastern (9-0)

Class 2A: #19 North Pitt (7-3) at #14 John A. Holmes (7-2)

Class 2A: #21 Bartlett Yancey (6-3) at #12 Roanoke Rapids (6-4)

Class 2A: #29 Camden County at #4 Whiteville

Class 3A: #22 Terry Sanford (6-3) at #11 Currituck County