Gastonia, Shelby high school football toughest remaining schedules

With three weeks remaining in the NCHSAA high school football season , teams throughout the state — particularly those in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties — are doing whatever possible to boost their respective playoff resumes.

What area teams have the best shot at doing so in the final stretch? Which teams have the most daunting path ahead in their pursuit of high seeds, first-round byes and playoff berths, in general? Here, we rank the area’s eight toughest remaining schedules, along with a perceived smoother path.