The N.C. High School Athletic Association released the brackets Saturday for the football playoffs.

Mount Airy, East Surry and North Surry made the field, while Surry Central did not get a wild card.

The Bears will be at home in the 1AA Midwest bracket, while the Cardinals (1AA) and Greyhounds (2AA) must go on the road.

For the third year in a row, the Bears (10-1) will host Central Academy (2-8).

Two years ago, the Cougars were just 1-10 and were blown out by the Bears 41-6.

Last year, the Cougars were much improved and pulled off an upset 27-23. The Bears held the Cougars scoreless for nearly three quarters before giving up four TDs in the last 13 minutes. Central Academy racked up 515 yards of offense.

This year, the Bears’ defense has been consistently good in a 10-game win streak.

After giving up 30 points in a season-opening loss to Starmount, Mount Airy gave up just 77 points in the past 10 games (7.7 per game). The Bears shut out Central Davidson and held the high-scoring Greyhounds to their lowest total of the season (three points).

North Surry finished with a stellar 8-2 record this season and was tied for second in the Northwest Conference.

However, the Hounds lost to West Stokes 21-12 Friday, giving the Wildcats the top seeding for the Northwest in the 2AA brackets.

Unfortunately for North, this means a second straight trip to King as West Stokes (6-4) is the fourth seed hosting North as the fifth seed.

The Greyhounds have the best record of any team playing on the road in any of the small-school brackets: 1A, 1AA, 2A and 2AA.

The Hounds/Wildcats winner will face the winner of Andrews (9-1) and Piedmont (5-5). Andrews is the top seed in the Midwest.

At 5-5, East Surry is a sixth seed in the 1AA Midwest and will play at South Stokes (8-2), the third seed.

The winner of the Cards/Sauras will face the winner of Monroe (8-2) and Bishop McGuinness (4-6).

If Mount Airy wins, the Bears will face the winner of North Rowan (8-2) and West Montgomery (6-4).

Three Wilkes County teams are in action in the 1AA West playoffs.

West Wilkes (4-6) is the fourth seed and hosts Cherryville (4-6). North Wilkes (3-7) is a seventh seed and plays at Hendersonville (10-0). East Wilkes (2-8) plays at top-seeded Swain County (10-0).

In the 1A playoffs, North Stokes (3-7) goes to East Columbus (7-3). Elkin (6-4) hosts Alleghany (3-7).

In the 2A playoffs, Starmount (9-1) hosts Carver (5-5). Wilkes Central (9-1) hosts Lincolnton (6-4).