Key Dates for 2015 High School Football Season

High School football practice officially begins in North Carolina on Saturday. Here are some key dates:

Aug. 1.: Start of N.C. high school football practice

Aug. 21: First games of the season

Nov. 6: First round NCISAA playoffs

Nov. 13: First round NCHSAA playoffs; NCISAA Division I state finals

Nov. 20: NCISAA Divsion II and III state finals

Dec. 11-12: NCHSAA state championships

Sweet 16

The Observer kicks off its Sweet 16 countdown Saturday with a preview of No. 16 East Lincoln. Look for daily features on ranked teams leading up to a special preview section Aug. 16.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Key Dates for 2015 High School Football Season."