Last Updated on October 31, 2026 4:01 pm
The Watauga Pioneers will open defense of their 6A state championship at home, hosting Olympic in the first round of the NCHSAA football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.
The NCHSAA released its 2026 brackets Saturday. Watauga is the No. 13 seed in the 6A West bracket and will host No. 20 Olympic at Watauga High School, 300 Go Pioneer Dr. in Boone.
The Pioneers (5-5) enter the postseason on a four-game winning streak after starting the season 1-5. Watauga closed the regular season with wins over South Caldwell, Alexander Central, McDowell and St. Stephens, the last a 35-22 victory on Senior Night, and finished in a three-way tie with Alexander Central and Freedom for the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference championship.
Watauga won last year’s 6A title with a 15-0 season, beating Middle Creek 47-25 in the championship game.
The winner of Friday’s game advances to the second round on Friday, Nov. 13, where the bracket has the winner facing No. 4 Kings Mountain.
Alexander Central, seeded No. 6, and Freedom, seeded No. 7, earned first-round byes. Two other Northwestern 6A/7A teams are in the West bracket and open on the road: No. 24 St. Stephens at No. 9 Sun Valley, and No. 22 South Caldwell at No. 11 Northern Guilford.
Round 2 is set for Nov. 13, Round 3 for Nov. 20 and Round 4 for Nov. 27. The 6A West regional final is Dec. 4, and the state championship games run Dec. 10-12.
2026 NCHSAA 6A football playoff bracket
