In Week-8 high school football action, it will be the 2A Northeastern Coastal Conference opening play with Hertford County at Northeastern and Bertie at First Flight. Elsewhere, Gates County begins play in the re-vamped 1A Albemarle Conference against Manteo while Northampton already has two wins under their belts in the 1A Tar-Roanoke, but looks to post another when they host Southeast Halifax. Also, NEA-Hobgood returns to Lasker for a home date in 1A Colonial Carolina 8-Man play, the co-op Eagles will face Community Christian.

HERTFORD COUNTY

at NORTHEASTERN

Last Friday Hertford County ended non-conference play taking it on the chin from 3A Jacksonville, 72-30.

“Now a new season starts,” said Bears head coach Terrance Saxby. “Our non-conference games prepared us for the conference season.”

This Friday, Hertford County (3-3) is on the road at unbeaten Northeastern (6-0) in their Northeastern Coastal Conference opener.

“Northeastern is well coached and they are athletic,” said Saxby. “They have a good quarterback and are balanced in the run and the pass. This is a big game.”

The Bears are led by senior quarterback Lance Hunter who has passed for 1,221 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior running back Kyeem Perry has rushed for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior receiver Zion Riddick has 36 catches for 680 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Defensively, we have to tackle and know our assignments,” concluded Saxby. “Offensively we need to sustain drives and make plays.”

BERTIE at

FIRST FLIGHT

The Falcons are coming off a bye week after a heartbreaking late-game loss to Manteo at home.

“The bye week allowed us to work on some things and to get healthy,” said Bertie head coach Grantley Mizelle.

This Friday the Falcons (2-4) open league play at surprising First Flight (5-1) in the conference opener. The Nighthawks are coming off a 48-19 non-conference win over Isle of Wight Academy in Virginia.

“First Flight is a very good team,” said Mizelle. “They have a good quarterback and good receivers, and they’re very sound on defense.

“We have to get back to what we do, which is to run the ball and control the clock,” he closed. “We also must eliminate turnovers.”

GATES COUNTY

at MANTEO

Gates County is also coming off a bye week after beating 2A Pasquotank two weeks ago.

“We’re trying to get healthy, and to continue our play improvement,” said Red Barons head coach Matt Biggy.

This Friday, Gates County (4-2) is at Manteo (5-1) in their 1A Albemarle Conference opener.

“Manteo is a very good football team,” continued Biggy. “They are physical and they are athletic, and they are sound fundamentally.

“Defensively, we must continue to get better and offensively, we have to establish the line of scrimmage and execute,” the coach concluded.

SOUTHEAST HALIFAX

at NORTHAMPTON

Last Friday Northampton County beat North Edgecombe 32-24 for the Jaguars’ sixth straight win, and second in 1A Tar-Roanoke Conference play.

“We had a 32-0 lead and ended up holding on for the win,” said Jaguars head coach George Privott.

This Friday, Southeast Halifax (3-3, 1-0, TRC) is at Northampton (6-1, 2-0, TRC).

“Southeast Halifax is a dangerous team. We’re familiar with them as we both run the option offense. They are disciplined and we must be ready for them,” said Privott.

“We have to block well and eliminate turnovers on offense. Defensively, we must tackle well and continue to play well,” closed Privott.

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN

at NEA-HOBGOOD

Last Friday NEA-Hobgood suffered their second loss to Halifax Academy in three weeks.

This Friday, Community Christian (2-3, 1-0, CCC) from Wilson will make the trip to Lasker to face Northeast-Hobgood (1-4, 0-2, CCC). This will be homecoming for the Eagles.

They will also be out to end a four-game losing streak.