Gates County and Bertie High Schools with get in their weather-delayed game tonight (Thu.) that was postponed from the end of August due to lightning. And in a related note, with the NC High School Athletic Association adding an extra regular-season playing date (moving the final weekend from Nov. 2 to Nov. 9), several schools will try to reschedule the games lost on Sept. 14.

Meanwhile, this Friday’s games include Bethel Christian at Lawrence, North Edgecombe at Northampton County, Northeast-Hobgood at Community Christian, and Hertford County at Jacksonville.

GATES COUNTY at BERTIE

Last Friday Gates County beat 2A Pasquotank 49-22, while Bertie held off Manteo 32-22. Tonight Bertie (2-2) will host Gates County (4-0) in a make-up game from Aug. 31.

“Bertie is a very good team,” said Red Barons coach Matt Biggy. “They can run and pass offensively and their defense is very quick to the ball.”

Falcons coach Grantley Mizelle countered, “Gates County has a good running back and quarterback, and they also have a big offensive line.”

“We have to play our assignments defensively, and offensively (we have to) make plays,” concluded Biggy.

“We have to execute in all phases of the game, offensively, defensively, and on special teams,” closed Mizelle.

HERTFORD COUNTY at JACKSONVILLE

Hertford County beat North Pitt Friday night decisively, 45-0, for the Bears’ first win of the season.

“I was proud of our effort,” said HCHS head coach Terrance Saxby. “The offense sustained drives and scored points and the defense played great with the shutout.”

This Friday, Hertford County (1-3) is back on the road, this time in Hurricane-soaked Onslow County to face a Jacksonville (3-0) team that hasn’t played in two weeks.

“They have a very athletic quarterback and two good running backs,” added Saxby.

“Defensively, we must play assignment football and continue to play well,” the coach concluded. “Offensively, we need to have good execution.”

NORTH EDGECOMBE at NORTHAMPTON

Northampton County defeated surprising upstart Rocky Mount Prep handily, 58-0, last Friday to win their 1A Tar Roanoke Conference opener.

“We came out and executed on offense, defense, and special teams,” said Jaguars’ head coach George Privott.

This Friday it will be another league showdown when North Edgecombe (1=3, 1-0, TRC) comes to Gaston to meet Northampton (4-1, 1-0, TRC).

“North Edgecombe runs the wishbone offense. They also have a new coach and beat KIPP Pride (44-30) in their conference opener,” Privott added.

Both teams will be trying to remain unbeaten in conference play.

“(To get a win) we need to protect the ball, play well on defense, and execute on offense,” closed Privott.

NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD at COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN

Northeast-Hobgood beat rival Lawrence Academy 54-0 last Friday night in Lasker.

“Lawrence was a good game for us,” said NEA-Hobgood coach Brandon Lanier. “We ran different sets on offense and had a good night of passing from (quarterback) Ryan Rowe.”

This Friday night it will be Northeast-Hobgood (3-0) on the road in Wilson at Community Christian (1-3).

“Community has a young team and they have a good coach,” Lanier closed. “We need to tackle well on defense and block well on offense.”

BETHEL CHRISTIAN at  LAWRENCE ACADEMY

Last Friday Lawrence fell to Northeast-Hobgood. The game marked the second week in a row the Warriors had been shutout.

“We didn’t play well on offense; poor execution, and too many missed blocks,” said Warriors’ coach Lee Hoffman. “Defensively, we did a good job against the run but played poorly versus the pass.”

This Friday night Lawrence (0-3) is back in Merry Hill where they will play Bethel Christian (1-2).

“Bethel is fast and mainly a run team,” added Hoffman. “We have to stop the run and keep them from getting to the outside.”

Friday’s game is also Homecoming Night at Lawrence, and a good time for the Warriors to post their first win.

“Offensively, we’ve gone back to basics and we’ll try to improve on our offense being efficient and moving the ball consistently,” the coach concluded.