CREEKSVILLE – There’s nothing like beating your number one rival.

Unless it’s getting your first win of the season by keeping your nemesis winless.

Friday night Northampton County High School – East will have a chance to do just that when they welcome the Hurricanes of Northampton County High School – West.

“It’s a big rivalry,” rookie Northampton-East skipper George Privott said. “Everyone is talking about the possible consolidation of the schools so we want to make sure we’re on top of this rivalry when and if that happens.”

Privott’s first two contests at the helm of the Rams have been heart-breakers – losing in week one to Edenton on a missed extra point and falling in overtime to Perquimans last week.

“Against Edenton, I felt like we made mistakes that cost us the game,” Privott said. “It came down to the end and we didn’t tackle well enough on defense or block well enough on offense.”

Privott said last Friday’s loss to Perquimans was a different story.

“We made some adjustments at half time, but just ran out of gas,” he said. “We had some mistakes, particularly a penalty on a punt that was returned for a touchdown that killed us.”

The coach said his team is ready this week, however.

“Practice has gone really well,” he said. “We have a couple of guys who now have their days in to play and they’ll be a big addition to our team.”

Privott said one of the players is a running back and the other an offensive lineman.

In both previous contests, the Rams have gotten off to a slow start and that is something that needs to change Friday.

“Basically, we need to get out of the block well,” he said. “We started slowly last week, but when Ju’Wuan Boone got going, he had a great game.

“Defensively, we need a couple of early three-and-outs to give us a cushion and I think that will help us play better,” Privott added.

Friday’s contest is a non-conference affair and the first of two meetings between the two teams. Privott said it was important for his team to be at home for the first outing.

“I think it’s best to play at home and set the tone for this season’s two games,” he said.

Both teams are hungry for a win as Northampton-West has dropped contests against Roanoke Rapids and Northwest Halifax.

“I think it’s an important game for both of us,” Privott said. “We are both winless and looking for the first one of the season. It would only be fitting for one us to get that win against the other.”

Both teams will be looking for that elusive first win when the Hurricanes visit the Rams at 7:30 p.m. Friday.