Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Week-12 marks the final weekend of high school football with most games highlighting backyard brawls. Some teams will be moving on to the post-season, while others are hoping to close the season on a winning note. The Hertford County-Bertie rivalry game is just one feature along with Weldon at Northampton County and Gates County at Camden County.

HERTFORD CO. at BERTIE

Last Friday Hertford County shook off the effects of its first Northeastern Coastal Conference loss and bounced back in a big way with a crushing shutout of Pasquotank County, 56-0. Meanwhile, Bertie lost on the road at Currituck County 42-6, their ninth setback of the year.

“Overall it was a good team win,” said Bears coach Terrance Saxby, “We played well offensively and defensively and it was good to get back on track.”

“We were just physically outmatched,” said Falcons coach Grantley Mizelle. “We have to execute better in all phases of the game.”

This Friday it will be Hertford County (8-2, 3-1, NCC) at Bertie (1-9, 1-3, NCC). The Bears hope to maintain first place, while the Falcons want to close their season with a win.

“This is a rivalry game; you can throw the records out the window. I expect us to get their best shot,” noted Saxby.

“They’re a good football team,” countered Mizelle. “A big week with Senior Night gets bigger because this is a rivalry game.”

Hertford County is led by junior quarterback Tye Saxby who has passed for 2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the conference. Bertie is led by senior quarterback Isaiah Williams – playing his last game in Roy Bond, Jr. Stadium – and who trails Saxby in the stats with 1,400 passing yards with 10 touchdowns while rushing for nine touchdowns and 439 yards on the ground.

“We have to not get too excited and execute offensively and tackle defensively,” concluded Saxby.

“We have to execute better in all phases,” closed Mizelle. “I hope we can execute our game plan and give ourselves a chance to win in the end.”

WELDON at NORTHAMPTON

After winning three Tar-Roanoke Conference games in a row, Northampton County is coming off a bye week.

“We needed the rest and to get players healthy,” said Jaguars coach George Privott.

This Friday night it will be Weldon (4-5, 3-2, TRC) at Northampton County (7-3, 4-1, TRC).

“Weldon runs the wishbone offense, and we have to be prepared for it,” concluded Privott. “We have to eliminate turnovers and tackle well.”

GATES COUNTY at CAMDEN COUNTY

Last Friday night Gates County beat Washington County in Plymouth, breaking a four game losing slide, including three games in the Albemarle Atlantic Conference.

“It was a good win for us,” said Red Barons coach Matt Biggy.

This Friday night it will be Gates County (6-4, 1-3, AAC) at Camden County (2-8, 0-4, AAC).

“Camden County has struggled this year, but they have a couple of good players in skill positions,” closed Biggy. “Offensively we need to establish the line of scrimmage and play good defense.”