In Week-9 high school football action Hertford County is back on the road after licking their wounds from their 48-6 loss at the hands of Northeastern last weekend; this time the Bears are on the coast at Kill Devil Hills facing First Flight. Speaking of the Nighthawks, Bertie pulled off an overtime stunner at the beach last Friday with a 38-36 overtime win over First Flight. Northeast-Hobgood Academy, or NHA as they prefer, finally broke their losing skid with their fourth quarter 40-36 win over Community Christian School in the team’s final “home” game in Lasker. Now, the Eagles are back on the road again in Kinston to face Bethel Christian. Meanwhile, Northampton County will go for the most consecutive wins (eight) in school history when the Jaguars travel to Northwest Halifax.

HERTFORD COUNTY at FIRST FLIGHT

Last Friday night a late touchdown before time expired kept Hertford County from being shutout in their Northeastern Coastal Conference opener at the hands of Northeastern in Elizabeth City.

“Northeastern is a very good team,” said Bears coach Terrance Saxby. “It was a tough loss.”

First Flight – whom the Bears play this weekend – also came up short in an overtime loss to Bertie.

This Friday, Hertford County (3-4, 0-1, NCC) remains on the road at Warren Judge Field in Kill Devil Hills facing First Flight (5-2, 0-1, NCC). One of these teams will pick up their first win in league play.

“First Flight is a well-coached team (with veteran coach Jim Prince),” said Saxby. “They don’t beat themselves and they play a sound game offensively and defensively.

“For us to win, we have to tackle well and know our defensive assignments,” he concluded. “Our offense also needs to be more consistent.”

NORTHAMPTON at NORTHWEST HALIFAX

Last Friday Northampton County beat Southeast Halifax 22-6 for their seventh straight win since a season-opening loss to once-beaten Roanoke Rapids. It’s the Jaguars’ most wins since a similar streak in 2012. It was also their third win in Tar-Roanoke Conference play.

“We were actually behind at halftime,” said Northampton coach George Privott. “We made some adjustments (at halftime) and went on to win the game.”

This Friday the Jags (7-1, 3-0, TRC) are at Northwest Halifax (1-5, 0-2, TRC) looking to make school history with eight wins in a row.

“Northwest Halifax got their first win of the year last Friday night. They run a good mix of the run and the pass on offense. We have to be prepared for both,” the coach said.

“We need to keep playing well on defense and offensively we need to execute and take care of the ball,” closed Privott.

PASQUOTANK at BERTIE

Last Friday Bertie survived in an overtime thriller against First Flight on the Nighthawks’ home field. Meanwhile, Pasquotank fell to Currituck County creating a three-way tie for the top spot in the Northeastern Coastal Conference.

“We played hard,” said Falcons coach Grantley Mizelle. “It was a good win to start in the conference.”

This Friday Pasquotank (3-4, 0-1, NCC) visits Roy Bond Jr Stadium to face Bertie (3-4, 1-0, NCC) on Homecoming Night.

“Pasquotank is well coached,” noted Mizelle. “They have a good running back and they will come in here hungry after dropping their conference opener (21-14 to the Knights).”

The Falcons will be trying to start 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2008.

“We need to stick to our game-plan, tackle well, and be physical,” concluded the coach. “We need to keep playing Bertie football.”

PERQUIMANS at GATES COUNTY

Last Friday Gates County lost to Manteo 34-7 to open Albemarle Athletic Conference play.

“We didn’t play well,” said Red Barons coach Matt Biggy. “Manteo executed and came away with the win.”

This Friday, Perquimans (1-6, 0-1, AAC) is at Gates County (4-3, 0-1, AAC).

Perquimans has a good quarterback and receivers,” said Biggy. “They have good size on defense. They’ve lost some close games, but they are improving.

“We just need to play better and work to improve each week,” Biggy closed.

NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD at BETHEL CHRISTIAN

After five straight weeks of playing away games and six weeks since their last win, Northeast-Hobgood Academy beat Community Christian in Colonial Carolina Conference 8-Man football action on a late touchdown with 17 seconds left, 40-36. This was a game that went back and forth and finally down to the wire for the Eagles’ victory.

This Friday, Northeast-Hobgood (2-4, 1-2, CCC) – or, NHA, as they prefer – are back on the road, this time in Kinston, to face Bethel Christian (1-5, 1-1, CCC) in a conference battle where one team will get their second win, and could challenge Halifax Academy for the top spot in the conference.