Week-12 marks the final night of the high school football regular season and it features Hertford County at Bertie in a Northeastern Coastal Conference 2A battle, Gates County closes out at Camden County in 1A action while Northampton can continue their historic run hosting Weldon.  Meanwhile, the independent schools playoffs have begun with Northeast-Hobgood hosting Community Christian in the first round.

HERTFORD CO.

at BERTIE

Hertford County made it two conference wins in a row last Friday, dispatching Pasquotank 65-33.

“It was a good win,” said Bears coach Terrance Saxby. “We had good execution offensively and the defense is starting to understand what we want them to do.”

While the Bears were winning, Bertie was falling on the road at Currituck, 20-14, forcing a four-way tie for second place in the conference.

“We didn’t play well,” said Falcons coach Grantley Mizelle. “We didn’t execute on offense or defense and it turned into a tough loss.”

This Friday Bertie (4-6, 2-2, NCC) hosts Hertford County (5-5, 2-2, NCC) in the regular season finale for both squads.

“Bertie is well-coached,” said Saxby. “They have a strong running game and an athletic quarterback.”

Lance Hunter leads the Bears with 1,826 passing yards and 19 touchdowns while running back Kyeem Perry has rushed for 1,562 yards and 19 touchdowns, with receiver Zion Riddick adding 55 receptions for 1, 110 yards and 14 touchdowns.

On the other side of the coin, Bertie quarterback Isaiah Williams has accounted for 965 yards rushing and passing and 11 touchdowns, while running back LaCurtis Askew has amassed 1,198 yards on the ground to go with 12 touchdowns.

“Hertford County has an explosive offense,” closed Mizelle. “In addition to a veteran quarterback and running back, they have a good receiver.  For us to be successful on Friday we have to execute and take care of the ball offensively and tackle on defense.”

“We must have a good week of practice,” concluded Saxby. “It’s a rivalry game so it’s important for us to have offensive balance with the run and the pass, and defensively we have to know our assignments.”

WELDON at

NORTHAMPTON

Northampton had last Friday off for their bye week after amassing nine straight wins since their opening night loss to Roanoke Rapids.

“We used the week to get healthy and to work on plays,” said Jaguars’ coach George Privott.

This Friday Weldon (2-6, 2-3, TRC) finishes the season at Northampton (9-1, 5-0, TRC) as the Jaguars go for the Tar-Roanoke Conference championship and their 10th straight win.  They are led by junior quarterback Tevon Shoulders, who has 866 total yards and 14 touchdowns.  Angelo Rooks is the Jags’ leading rusher with 1,633 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

“Weldon is young, but we expect a tough game, we definitely won’t overlook them,” added Privott.

“We have to block well, take care of the ball, and play good defense in order to win,” he concluded.

GATES CO. at

CAMDEN CO.

Last Friday Gates had its best chance to beat Plymouth, but the Vikings prevailed 30-24.

“We led at halftime, but Plymouth came back and got the win,” said Red Barons coach Matt Biggy.

This Friday night Gates County (5-5, 1-3, AAC) is at Camden County (1-9, 0-4, AAC).

“Camden does not have a good record,” closed Biggy. “They have a young quarterback and apply defensive pressure. For us to win we have to move the ball on offense and defensively we’ve got to make plays.”

COMMUNITY

CHRISTIAN at NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD

Last Friday night Northeast-Hobgood beat Wayne Christian for their fourth straight win and sewed up second place in the 1A Colonial Carolina 8-Man football conference.

This Friday night three-seed Community Christian (3-5) will play second-seed Northeast-Hobgood (5-4) in the first round of the NC Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A state playoffs.  Again, the game will be in Lasker at Northeast, where the Eagles won 40-36 on Oct. 6 on a last second touchdown.  Tay Mosley leads the offense, and is the conference’s leading rusher with 2,126 yards and 34 touchdowns – 32 on the ground.  Ryan Rowe has passed for five touchdowns and run for two more.