The fourth round of the NCHSAA state playoffs is here and the cream is rising to the top. Of the 32 teams remaining, 24 are either undefeated or have one loss. That means plenty of marquee matchups. Here’s our take.

Now that the third round of the NCHSAA football playoffs is over, the field has been whittled to 32 teams. Some of the biggest upsets of the third round include No. 19 Kinston, which stunned No. 6 Ayden - Grifton in the 2A East,

In total, six rounds encompass the football postseason. The first five rounds are played at the higher seed, while state championship matchups will return to Kenan Memorial Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium Dec. 20-21.