These 16 teams are the most likely candidates to play in the 2AA East:

Randleman
Oak Grove
South Granville
Hertford County
Washington
Salisbury
Croatan
East Duplin
St. Pauls
Currituck County
North Lenoir
Ledford
North Davidson
Nash Central
Carrboro
Morehead

I believe that the 2AA East is wide open.  The four teams that impress me the most are Washington, Hertford County, Oak Grove, and Randleman.  There are other teams, such as East Duplin, South Granville, and Currituck that should not be ignored.  

These 16 teams are the most likely candidates to play in the 2AA West:

Shelby
North Lincoln
Hibriten
Ashe County
Burns
Maiden
Smoky Mountain
North Surry
Bunker Hill
Pisgah
East Lincoln
West Lincoln
South Point
Wilkes Central
R-S Central
Bandys

I consider Shelby to be the favorite out of the 2AA West.  However, I can see North Lincoln, Burns, and Hibriten challenging Shelby for the right to play in the 2AA state championship.  

These are the 16 most likely candidates to play in the 2A East:

Clinton
Northeastern
Southwest Edgecombe
Red Springs
West Craven
Southwest Onslow
Whiteville
Beddingfield
Bartlett Yancey
Wallace-Rose Hill
Midway
Ayden-Grfton
Goldsboro
Kinston
Fairmont
East Bladen

There are several teams that will vie for the 2A East crown, but right now, I think Clinton has the best chance of emerging among the rest.  Whiteville, Northeastern, Red Springs, Wallace-Rose Hill, Southwest Edgecombe, and West Craven are really not that far behind Clinton.  The 2A East will be quite fun to watch!

Here are the 16 most viable candidates for the 2A West:

Mountain Heritage
Brevard
Reidsville
West Stokes
West Stanly
Eastern Randolph
Thomasville
Chase
Newton-Conover
Owen
Walkertown
Providence Grove
Draughn
North Wilkes
Forbush
Hendersonville

I believe Reidsville will be the team to beat.  Several other teams, such as Mountain Heritage and Brevard, should not be dismissed.  I could also see West Stanly, Eastern Randolph, and Thomasville surprising us during the playoff hunt.