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Northside and Southside will continue their season in the 1A football state playoffs while Washington High School’s season is over.

However, because of a Halloween trick or treat, depending on your perspective, the Panthers will be the only team playing Friday.

Southside (7-3) is the sixth seed while Rocky Mount Prep (1-8) is 27^th. The Jaguars only victory came by forfeit against Northampton County after it was determined they used an ineligible player in a game Northampton actually won by a huge margin.

Rocky Mount Prep managed to score only one touchdown all season and team officials didn’t think they would qualify for post-season action.

However, all 1A East teams qualify for the 32-team post-season unless they file paperwork with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association before the brackets are finalized saying they don’t want to participate.

“Apparently they didn’t file the paperwork with the state because they didn’t think they would make the playoffs based on their record,” Southside coach Jeff Carrow said. “They had no intention of playing, but didn’t realize they had to notify the state. It’s unfortunate because we lose a home game and the expected revenue generated and our guys have to wait a week to start the playoffs. I’m not sure if it’s a forfeit or a bye, but we are disappointed that we aren’t playing.”

Southside will host the #11 Hobbton-#22 Northwest Halifax winner a week from Friday.

Meanwhile, Northside (6-4) is the 13^th seed and will host #19 Weldon (3-5) Friday night at Bing Mitchell Field.

“We are excited to start the playoffs and very excited to have some of our injured guys back,” Panthers coach Keith Boyd said. “At various points during the season, we were missing eight or nine guys for a game. We are much healthier now and played our best game Friday night (a 54-8 win over Pamlico County).”

Weldon (3-5), in Halifax County north of Roanoke Rapids, is coming off a 26-14 loss to fourth-seeded Northampton and has victories over Rocky Mount Prep, Northwest Halifax and KIPP Pride.

“I expect them to be big, but I’m more concerned about how we play,” Boyd said. “We’ve been working toward this since May or June and the playoffs are when you find out who you are. Our depth is better than it’s been all season and we’re glad to be playing at home.”

The Northside-Weldon winner plays the (4) Northampton-(29) Jones Sr. winner in the second round.

Tarboro is the top seed in 1A with North Moore second. The Viking have won four of the last five 1A state titles.

Washington’s season is over after a 12-6 victory over Ayden-Grifton to cap a 3-7 campaign.

“It wasn’t the season we wanted, but at least our seniors won their last game,” coach Perry Owens said. “I’m happy for them and appreciate what they’ve done for our program.”