Roanoke Chowan area high school football teams are back in action this Friday night with just two or three games remaining in the regular season.  Five teams have home games and a couple of teams have Homecoming games with every team except Gates County playing at home.

NORTHEASTERN at HERTFORD COUNTY

The Bears enter this Northeastern Coastal Conference game coming off a bye week.

“The bye came at a good time,” said rookie Bears coach Terrance Saxby. “We used it to stay in condition and focus on fundamentals, and hopefully we got some kids healthy.”

This Friday night Hertford County (2-6, 1-2,NCC) will host Northeastern (8-0, 3-0, NCC) – ranked second in the state this week among 2A schools. This is also the Bears’ Homecoming.

According to radio announcer 99.3 WDLZ’s Gattis Hodges, “the voice of the Bears”, the Eagles have owned this series.

“Northeastern has won four consecutive years and they’ve done in convincing fashion,” said Hodges. “They’ve averaged 44.2 points-per-game, including 55 points last year while holding the Bears to only 14. Hertford County’s last win came here in Ahoskie in 2009; that was also the last time that Hertford County won the NCC crown.”

“Northeastern is one of the best teams in the state,” said Saxby. “Offensively the Eagles are very fast and explosive.  Defensively they like to attack and play pressure defense. They also have a very good quarterback.”

Hodges adds that Northeastern head coach Antonio Moore has been very consistent in the decade he has piloted the team.

“During that time (Moore’s) teams are a combined 97-31 (the league’s other six coaches are a combined 103-122).  Six of his 10 years at the helm they’ve had double digit wins. Moore currently ranks 65^th among active coaches in the state in wins.  His teams are also 6-3 versus Hertford County.”

The Bears are led by junior quarterback Christian Folston who has passed for 822 yards and eight touchdowns.

“For us to be successful on Friday we have to tackle well and play sound defense.  It’s our Homecoming game and we are excited about that,” Saxby concluded.

PASQUOTANK COUNTY at BERTIE

After four straight losses, Bertie beat First Flight for their first conference win and then took care of Currituck last Friday night at Roy Bond, Sr. Stadium.

“We are playing better and getting better every week,” said Falcon first-year coach Tyris Hill.

This Friday Bertie (4-4, 2-1, NCC) is back at the Bond hosting Pasquotank  (4-4, 3-1, NCC) in a key conference game that’s also the Falcons’ Homecoming game. The Panthers lost their first NCC game last week to Northeastern, 42-14.

“Pasquotank is very athletic,” said Hill. “Both teams are much improved.  They have a goof quarterback and play sound defense.  It will be a very competitive game.”

The Falcons did not have a turnover in last week’s win over the Knights.

“For us to be successful Friday night we need to have no turnovers and to be able to run the ball and the defense needs to continue to play well after their shutout of Currituck,” closed Hill. “It’s a big game for both teams as both teams have just one conference loss.  We are looking forward to Homecoming.”

NORTH EDGECOMBE at NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Last Friday Northampton saw their Homecoming spoiled by South Creek, 38-14, while North Edgecombe downed Riverside, 24-14.

“We fell behind in the first half,” said Jaguars head coach George Privott. “In the second half we played better but South Creek went on for the win.”

This Friday Northampton (2-6, 0-2, 2Rvs) will host North Edgecombe (6-2, 2-0, 2Rvs).

“North Edgecombe runs the wishbone and they have a very good running back that is their main weapon,” added Privott.  They also have a very solid defense.”

The Warriors are also undefeated in the Two-Rivers Conference, tied at the top with Tarboro.

“For us to be successful Friday night we need to eliminate penalties and turnovers,” concluded Privott as his team seeks its first conference win. “We also have to stop their running game and limit their big plays.”

GATES COUNTY at COLUMBIA

Last Friday night, even without star running back Mark Ricks, Gates County returned to conference play and returned to winning in defeating Manteo.

“Manteo is a good team,” said Red Barons coach Matt Biggy. “Both teams played hard and we threw the ball well and got a good conference win.

This Friday, Gates County (6-2, 4-0, C10) will travel to Columbia (3-4, 3-3, C10).

“Columbia runs different stuff on offense,” Biggy added. “They have a lot of kids back from last year. It’s always a good game when you play Columbia.

“For us to be successful on Friday we need to establish our running game and defensively we need to play sound defense,” closed Biggy. “We will try to stay undefeated in the conference.”

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN at LAWRENCE

Last Friday night Lawrence Academy was shutout by St. David’s School on the road in Colonial Conference 8-Man football action.

This Friday Lawrence will host Community Christian (0-8) and a chance to get their second win this season.  The Warriors (1-7) will also be playing their regular-season finale and with a win will make the NC Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs.

“I just hope we can go out and compete,” said Warriors coach Robert Kravitz.  The game will be played in Merry Hill

ST. DAVID’S SCHOOL at NORTHEAST

The Eagles (1-7) will also be playing their final game at home in Lasker. Northeast will host St. David’s School (5-3) from Raleigh.