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The Southside Seahawks were supposed to open the 1A football playoffs at home Friday night against Rocky Mount Prep. Instead, they’ll have the night off.

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. They told me when I called them looking for game film. 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