GASTON – Last year Northampton County finished 7-6 overall in the 1A Two-Rivers Conference with a 2-3 mark in league play behind Tarboro, Williamston Riverside, and Robersonville South Creek. Still, the Jaguars made the playoffs, defeating KIPP Pride in the first round before they succumbed to Chocowinity Southside in the second round.

This year the Jags will be led by sophomore quarterback Tevon Shoulders, who will also have a running back Jevonte Hicks in the backfield, and on the outside, Denzel Ashe at wide receiver. Senior Karon king will anchor the offensive line.

“We will be young on offense,” said head coach George Privott. “We’ll just gain experience as the season goes on.”

Leading the defense will be a pair of junior linebackers in Angelo Rooks and Keith Person. James Gray, a sophomore, will be at nose tackle, and Stepheon Ashe will be a junior safety.

“We’ll have experience on defense,” Privott continued. “Gray returns as our leading tackler and all our front-six on defense return from last year. We’re expecting good things from those guys.”

Even though the school site has moved to Gaston, the football team will still play their home games at Creeksville.

Northampton County will open the season Aug. 19 at Roanoke Rapids then have their home opener on Aug. 26 against Bertie. Another home game follows on Sept. 2 when they host Warren County, followed by a third straight home date on Sept. 9 with Weldon.

Sept. 16, the Jags are back on the road, traveling to Southeast Halifax, and then they cross the county a week later for a road date at Northwest Halifax on Sept. 23. For Sept. 30 the team will have an open date.

Conference play begins on Oct. 7 with Northampton at Riverside in Williamston before returning home on Oct. 14 to host South Creek, followed by another home date on Oct. 21 against North Edgecombe. Then their second straight ‘three-home-games’ concludes with defending champ, Tarboro, visiting their home field on Oct. 28. The season finale Nov. 4 is on the road at Rocky Mount Prep before the state playoffs begin on Nov. 11.

“Our non-conference schedule is tough as we open with three 2A schools in Roanoke Rapids, Bertie, and Warren County,” said Privott. “This should prepare us for the conference slate.”

“Of course Tarboro is the favorite in our conference, but Riverside, South Creek, and North Edgecombe will also be tough. We’ll have to battle all of them for a state playoff berth high seed.”

Privott says with the home schedule allowing the fans to see the team on three consecutive Fridays, they can build continuity with the community as well as a team.

“We’re looking to improve every week of the season,” the coach concluded. “We will be gaining experience and depth. If we stay healthy and injury-free we can have a successful season.”