Week-10 in local high school football action finds Hertford County desperate to rebound from a history-making loss, while surprising Bertie finds itself in position to take sole possession of first place in the Northeastern Coastal Conference if the Falcons can get past undefeated and fifth-ranked Elizabeth City Northeastern. Another ranked team, Edenton Holmes, is at Gates County, and in other games Northeast-Hobgood seeks its third win in a row at Hobgood against Wayne Christian, and Northampton County is after their ninth straight victory since a season-opening loss when they face-off against KIPP Pride.

CURRITUCK at

HERTFORD COUNTY

Last Friday night in Kill Devil Hills, Hertford County lost to First Flight for the first time in school history.

“It was a frustrating game,” said HCHS coach Terrance Saxby. “We played hard but let it slip away.”

Friday night Hertford County (3-5, 0-2, NCC) will celebrate Homecoming when they welcome in the Knights of Currituck County (3-5, 1-1, NCC).

“Currituck is well-coached,” Saxby adds. “They run the spread offense and show multiple fronts on defense.

“For us to be successful Friday on defense we need to complete our assignments, and on offense we have to take advantage of our explosive plays,” the coach concluded.

The Bears will also be trying to end a three-game losing streak in addition to seeking their first conference win of the season.

EDENTON at

GATES COUNTY

Last Friday Gates County routed Perquimans 52-30 on the Red Barons’ home field.

“We came out and established our running game and got a good win,” said ‘Barons coach Matt Biggy.

This Friday, Edenton J.A. Holmes (7-1, 2-0, AAC) come to Gatesville for the Red Barons’ (5-3, 1-1, AAC) final home game of the regular season.

“Edenton is a very good team. They score a lot of points and have one of the best running backs in the state in Keimon Bailey,” said Biggy.

“We have to generate offense and play sound offense and defense,” closed Biggy.

BERTIE at

NORTHEASTERN

Last Friday Bertie downed Pasquotank, tying the Falcons for the top spot in the Northeastern Coastal Conference.

“We executed our game plan and the defense played great,” said Falcons coach Grantley Mizelle.

This Friday, Bertie (4-4, 2-0, NCC) is at Northeastern (8-0, 2-0, NCC) in a battle to decide the conference leader.

“Northeastern is a very good and talented team,” added Mizelle. “They have an explosive offense and a good defense.

“We have to take care of the ball on offense and tackle well on defense,” the coach concluded.

NORTHAMPTON

at KIPP PRIDE

Last Friday Northampton County routed Northwest Halifax 50-6 en route to setting a new school record for consecutive wins at eight.

“We came out and played well on offense and defense and went on for the big win,” said coach George Privott.

This Friday night Northampton (8-1, 4-0, TRC) is at KIPP Pride (1-7, 1-2, TRC), two schools that are only three miles apart.

“They have had some injuries to key players. They run the wishbone offense and they blitz on defense,” Privott continued.

“We have to eliminate turnovers, play good offense and continue to play good defense,” closed Privott.

In addition to going for their ninth win in a row, the Jaguars can tie a record for most consecutive conference wins with five, and remain unbeaten in league play, 5-0.

WAYNE CHRISTIAN at

NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD

Northeast-Hobgood beat Bethel Christian at Kinston last Friday night 70-64 in a Colonial Conference 8-Man Football high-scoring affair. It moved the Eagles to second place in the 1A standings as the only team in conference other than Halifax Academy with a non-losing record.

This Friday night the Eagles (3-4, 2-2, CC) will play a Homecoming game at Hobgood in their first visit there this season when they host Wayne Christian (0-8, 0-3, CC) in the first of a home-and-home series to end the regular season. They will also be going for their third win in a row, another first for the Eagles this year.