The non-conference tune-ups are over….now is the time to buckle the chin straps a bit tighter as conference bragging rights begin for the area’s two largest high schools this week.

Both Hertford County and Bertie face stern tests on Friday as they both open the Northeastern Coastal Conference portion of their respective schedules at home.

Meanwhile, Gates County, Northampton County, Lawrence Academy and Northeast Academy hit the road on Friday.
Currituck at Hertford County

Last Friday night in Ahoskie, Hertford County remained winless on their home field as they dropped a tough 40-32 loss in overtime vs. 4-A South Central.

“We had our opportunities to win this game, but we didn’t take advantage of those chances,” said HCHS head coach Terrance Saxby after watching his Bears fall to 2-3 overall. “South Central simply made more plays than we did, and they executed when it counted the most.”

This Friday, Saxby and the Bears will look to bounce back and open the league portion of the schedule in a positive way when HCHS hosts Currituck in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

Currituck also stands at 2-3 overall and are coming off a loss last week vs. Wilson Hunt.

“Currituck is well coached,” noted Saxby. “They are well disciplined and execute well on both sides of the football.”

The Bears will be led by junior quarterback Lance Hunter who in five games has already passed for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns.

However, one distraction for the Bears this Friday is it’s Homecoming Week at HCHS.

“We have to stay focused because this is a big game being our conference opener,” Saxby said. “We want to get off to a good start in the league. We also need to work on our discipline and cut down on the number of penalties.”
Northeastern at Bertie

Coming off their third straight loss following last Friday’s narrow 27-20 setback vs. SouthWest Edgecombe, Bertie’s “reward” is hosting defending conference champion Northeastern High School in this Friday’s league opener.

“We have to put together two halves of good football, which we haven’t been doing as of late,” said Bertie head coach Grantley Mizelle. “We fought hard last week, but wound up losing a tough game.”

When the Falcons (1-3 overall) line-up against the 3-1 Eagles on Sept. 23, they know it will take a near-perfect performance to beat the reigning league champs.

“They have a good quarterback and good athletes. We’ll have to play our best game of the season to get a win,” Mizelle said. “We have to win the time of possession on offense, and on defense we need to tackle well and try to contain their speed,” Mizelle concluded.
Gates County at Creswell

This week, Gates County will look to build on the momentum established with last week’s 43-2 rout of Mattamuskeet in the conference opener for the Red Barons.

“We came out and did some good things offensively and defensively in that game,” said GCHS head coach Matt Biggy who watched his team not only win its conference opener, but even their overall record as well at 2-2.

“We were ahead 43-0 at halftime. It was a great way and a great win to open conference play.”

This Friday, the Red Barons hit the road again, traveling to league foe Creswell (1-3 overall; 1-0 in conference action).

“Creswell is a team we don’t know a lot about,” Biggy stressed. “It will be in our best interest to prepare for different things.

“What I want to see the most from my team is continued improvement,” he continued. “That’s what it’s been for us since week number one….the defense is getting better and so is the offense, minus a few dropped passes that we need to correct.”
Northampton at NW Halifax

The Jaguars of Northampton High School continue their Halifax County “road trip” this week.

Last Friday, the Jags defeated Southeast Halifax, 26-7, on the road. This week they’ll head in the opposite direction and pay a conference visit to Northwest Halifax.

“We started off slow at Southeast last week and fell behind 7-0,” said NCHS head coach George Privott. “But once we began to click on both sides of the ball we were able to do some good things and got out of there with an important win.”

On paper, it appears that the Jaguars (2-3 overall) will have little trouble vs. NW Halifax, who stands at 0-5 overall. However, Privott knows that games are not won on paper.

“A winless team is a dangerous team,” said Privott. “Northwest is hungry for a win. They have some skilled players on offense that can get the job done. We have to be prepared defensively, eliminate penalties and turnovers and we should be fine.”
Lawrence at Bethel Christian

Two teams heading in the opposite direction will clash in this 7 p.m. battle on Friday.

Lawrence (0-4) is coming off a huge loss vs. Hobgood Academy. Bethel Christian (2-3) won their second straight game of the season last Friday by blanking Northeast Academy.
Northeast at Halifax Acad.

Throw the records out the window in this one.

The two long-time rivals will meet this Friday when Northeast Academy pays a visit to Halifax Academy.

The Eagles (0-4) have gotten off to a rough start. However, a win against their arch enemy could spark Northeast to make a run down the stretch.

Halifax Academy enters the game at 3-2 overall.