Now that non-conference play has ended the Northeastern Coastal Conference begins league play with three contests this Friday including Hertford County at Edenton JA Holmes while Bertie has a bye.  Meanwhile, Northeast Academy is the only area team at home this week facing one of the number-one teams in their conference.

HERTFORD CO. at EDENTON

Last Friday night Hertford County lost to South Central after leading by seven at halftime, 27-20.

“The second half their defense played better,” said Bears head coach Terrance Saxby. “We fought hard, but we came up short.”

This Friday, Hertford County (1-4) will travel across the Chowan River to face Edenton Holmes (4-1) in the Northeastern Coastal Conference opener for both teams.

“Edenton has a lot of athletes and they are very fast; plus, they have a new coach,” said Saxby. “Edenton has played tough competition and has done well, with their only loss coming to Plymouth.”

The Bears have to have a better second half effort Friday night in order to have any chance of trumping the Aces.

“For us to be successful Friday we have to tackle better on defense,” concluded Saxby.  “We also have to do a better job of stopping the run.  Our offense is making strides, and hopefully we will keep improving.  It’s the conference opener so we are excited.”

PARROTT at NORTHEAST

Last Friday, Northeast Academy fell to Lawrence Academy on the road in Merry Hill while Parrott Academy knocked off Southampton Academy in Kinston.

This Friday night in Lasker, Northeast (1-3) will host an undefeated Parrott (4-0) team deadlocked in a first-place tie with Rocky Mount Academy.

The Eagles will be led by quarterback Brandon Edwards and running back Trey Futrell.  Northeast will be trying to shake off the Lawrence loss and break a three-game losing slide.

NORTHAMPTON CO. at BUNN

Last Friday, Northampton County lost to Southeast Halifax, humbled 50-6; meanwhile, Bunn was beating Louisburg.

“Southeast Halifax outplayed us,” sighed Northampton coach George Privott. “They were up for the game and we just couldn’t seem to get anything going.”

This Friday the Jaguars (2-3) will travel to Bunn (4-1).

“On offense they run the Wing-T,” said Privott. “Bunn is a good team; they have good running backs and a good defense.  We played them close last year but they ran away in the second half and beat us.

“For us to be successful Friday we need to not turn the ball over on offense and just play better defense,” Privott closed.

This is Northampton’s final non-conference game.  After an off-week they begin league play at Riverside Oct. 10.

GATES CO. at CRESWELL

Last Friday, Gates County beat Mattamuskeet in their conference opener after making the long bus trip to Swan Quarter in Hyde County.

“We came out and started strong,” said Red Barons head coach Matt Biggy. “We scored 44 points in the first quarter and just cruised to the 50-6 win.  We played sound defense and we ran the ball well.”

This Friday, Gates County (3-1, 1-0) will be back on the road, travelling to Washington County to face Creswell (2-3, 1-1) in the ‘Barons second conference game.

“Creswell has good size and a good running back,” concluded Biggy.  “For us to be successful Friday night we have to pick up where we left off last Friday.  We need to play sound defense and on offense we have to run the football, be physical, and establish the line of scrimmage.”

LAWRENCE at ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY

Last Friday, Lawrence Academy beat Northeast Academy for their first win of the season. In fact, in was the Warriors first win since October of 2012, snapping a 15-game losing streak.

This Friday Lawrence (1-3) travels to Rocky Mount Academy (4-0) to battle the Eagles.  Rocky Mount Academy won the NCISAA Colonial Carolina Conference state championship last season and is undefeated this year.

“We have a tough one ahead of us,” said Warriors coach Robert Kravitz. “They’re the defending state champions and they continue to look impressive on film.  We’re just hoping to go there and compete.”

After ending that losing streak, Lawrence is hoping now to make it two wins in a row.