The third and fourth rounds of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) dual team wrestling playoffs are Thursday with two Catawba County teams in action.
Newton-Conover (40-5) is the only county team home tonight, hosting a trio of teams, including Thomasville (36-3), Owen (16-14) and Piedmont (31-5).
The Red Devils have been eliminated in each of the past three seasons by Piedmont, including a gut-wrenching 35-31 defeat last February that went down to the seventh criteria tiebreaker.
Fred T. Foard (36-2) is the other county team in action tonight, traveling to Southwest Randolph High School. The Tigers compete against Ashbrook (23-6) with the winner facing either Robinson (27-6) or Southwest Randolph (42-2).
The Tigers were knocked out of last year's 3A duals by Southwest Randolph, 33-32, after the Cougars earned a late pin and Foard had a point deducted for misconduct.
NCHSAA dual team playoff schedule
2A dual team playoffs (at Newton-Conover H.S.)
Newton-Conover (40-5) vs. Thomasville (36-3)
Piedmont (31-5) vs. Owen (16-14)
3A dual team playoffs (at SW Randolph H.S.)
Fred T. Foard (36-2) vs. Ashbrook (23-6)
Robinson (27-6) vs. SW Randolph (42-2)