By DAN BISER

Still looking for its first-ever state playoff win, the Whiteville High School soccer team will travel to Jacksonville Wednesday to play Southwest Onslow in the opening round of the state 2A playoffs.

Whiteville with a 12-7-1 record has received a “wild-card” berth in the playoffs after finishing second among 2A teams in the Waccamaw/Southeastern 1A-2A Conference this fall.

South Brunswick claimed the Waccamaw/Southeastern Conference title and has claimed an opening-round bye in the state 2A playoffs.

Southwest Onslow finished third in the traditionally strong East Central 2A Conference and has a 9-5 record.

The Wolfpack of second-year head coach Mike Buckpitt is in the state playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Southwest Onslow is a familiar playoff opponent for Whiteville. In 2002, the Stallions defeated Whiteville 4-2 in the first round and in 2000, Southwest Onslow claimed a 3-0 first-round victory over the Wolfpack. Whiteville’s other state playoff appearance was a 1-0 first-round loss to Croatan.

In all three previous first-round games, Whiteville was home team, so Wednesday’s match will mark the Wolfpack’s first-ever road playoff match.

Wednesday’s winner will travel to meet Eastern Plains Conference champion Tarboro in Saturday’s second-round action.

Wilkes Central is the defending state 2A soccer champion.