NCS football playoffs 2024: Matchups are set. What are the top storylines?

NEW ERA: NCS GOES ALL IN WITH COMPETITIVE EQUITY

For years, the North Coast Section had first-round games that were epic mismatches. In 2022, North Bay powerhouse Marin Catholic beat Newark Memorial 69-0 on its way to winning the section’s Division IV championship. Such lopsided matchups led to an overhaul of the previous playoff format and brought about what happened when this season’s playoff brackets were unveiled Sunday. The top eight teams in the section, per MaxPreps’ computer rankings, were placed into the strongest bracket.