Three Columbus County Teams Advance to Round 3 of NCHSAA Football Playoffs

WHITEVILLE, N.C. — Three of Columbus County’s four varsity football programs punched their tickets to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state playoffs on Friday night, highlighted by an undefeated home victory from Whiteville and key road upsets by West Columbus and East Columbus.

Whiteville 42, Northwood 18 (Class 3A East)

Undefeated No. 2 seed Whiteville (10–0) remained unbeaten on the season, defeating No. 15 Northwood (6–6) 42–18 at Legion Stadium. Coming off a first-round bye, the Wolfpack jumped out to a 14–6 first-quarter lead and carried that advantage into halftime following a scoreless second period. Both offenses found rhythm in the third quarter with 14 points for Whiteville and 12 for Northwood, before the Wolfpack added two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

• Up Next: Whiteville hosts No. 7 Hertford County (7–4)—which outlasted No. 10 Farmville Central 56–48—in Round 3 on Friday, Nov. 20.

West Columbus 50, Southside 33 (Class 2A East)

In Chocowinity, No. 10 seed West Columbus (6–5) delivered an offensive explosion on the road, knocking off No. 7 Southside (7–4) by a score of 50–33. The Vikings controlled the pace against the Seahawks to secure a 17-point postseason victory.

• Up Next: West Columbus travels to Edenton on Friday, Nov. 20, to face No. 2 John A. Holmes (9–1), which defeated No. 15 Hobbton 42–6.

East Columbus 20, Winston-Salem Prep 14 (Class 1A West)

Traveling to Winston-Salem, No. 5 seed East Columbus (5–6) pulled off a hard-fought 20–14 road upset over No. 4 Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy (6–5). The Gators held off the Phoenix down the stretch to claim a six-point victory and advance in the Class 1A West bracket.

• Up Next: East Columbus remains on the road for Round 3 on Friday, Nov. 20, traveling to face No. 1 Chatham Central (11–0).

Martin County 61, South Columbus 26 (Class 3A East)

In Williamston, No. 12 seed South Columbus saw its 2026 campaign come to an end with a 61–26 road loss to No. 5 Martin County (8–3). The Stallions—who opened the postseason last week with a dominant 58–6 win over McMichael—fell behind 21–12 after the first quarter and trailed 41–12 at halftime before Martin County pulled away in the second half. South Columbus finishes its season with a 7–5 overall record.

Columbus County Round 2 Scoreboard & Round 3 Matchups