The playoff pairings and start times have been finalized for nine area schools competing in postseason football games this week.
In Maryland’s Class 1A West Region playoffs, No. 1 Fort Hill (6-3) will host No. 4 Northern (5-5) on Friday at 7 p.m., and No. 2 Allegany (5-5) welcomes No. 3 Mountain Ridge (5-5) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The winners of those region co-finals will advance to the state quarterfinal round, where they will be reseeded along with the other six regional championships in Class 1A.
Fort Hill is aiming for a record fifth consecutive state title.
Across the Potomac River, Frankfort (10-0) has earned the No. 1 seed in Class AA in defense of its title. The Falcons, riding a 24-game winning streak, host No. 16 Williamstown (5-5) on Friday at 7 p.m.
Elsewhere in Class AA, Petersburg (7-3) has claimed the No. 10 seed and heads to No. 7 Midland Trail (9-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.
The postseason appearance is Petersburg’s fifth overall and first in back-to-back campaigns.
Keyser (7-3) has ended a four-year playoff drought. The 11th-seeded team in Class AAA visits No. 6 North Marion (9-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.
Hampshire (6-4) is back in the Class AAA playoffs for a second straight year. The only other time the Trojans achieved the feat was in consecutive appearances in 2000-01.
No. 15 seed Hampshire heads to No. 2 Princeton (10-0) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
East Hardy (5-5) clinched its 15th playoff berth in 16 seasons, claiming the No. 12 seed in Class A. The Cougars will play No. 5 Sherman (8-2) at Riverside High School on Friday at 7 p.m.
The West Virginia state tournament begins with 16 teams. Both Maryland and West Virginia will be down to the final eight after this week.