By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
A pair of intriguing games matching teams tied for second place in the Four Rivers Conference highlight the high school football area docket tonight.
Southside, Perquimans, Williamston and Plymouth all sit at 2-1 in the conference, tied for second behind unbeaten Manteo. Nobody can afford a slip-up with just four games to play if those teams want a shot at a conference championship.
SOUTHSIDE AT PERQUIMANS
The Southside Seahawks pulled off a stunner last week, storming back from a 30-8 halftime deficit to knock off Plymouth, 44-42. It was Southside’s first win over the Vikings since a 36-0 nod in 2005.
The Seahawks (4-3, 2-1) will look for another road win tonight as they visit the Perquimans Pirates (2-5, 2-1). Perquimans easily won the last two meetings, 39-0 last year and 45-6 in 2007. Southside’s last win over the Pirates was a 41-6 victory in 2006.
Southside, winners in four of its last five games, has been led by quarterback Terrill Moore. The sophomore has completed 41 of 117 passes (35 percent), throwing for 729 yards to go with seven touchdown passes (including three last week at Plymouth) and three interceptions. Moore has also rushed for 452 yards and eight touchdowns.
Lonnie Williams has rushed for 341 yards and five scores, Marcus Oneal has added 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Derick Cannon has picked up 167 yards and a score.
Willie Ruffin has been the Seahawks leading receiver, snagging 19 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns. Five of those receptions, including two for scores, came against the Vikings.
Freshman linebacker Johnnie Pender leads the team with 69 tackles. Greg Crisp (four sacks) has 52 and James Jones 43.
Southside plays host to Roanoke next Friday night.
WILLIAMSTON AT PLYMOUTH
Plymouth has had Williamston’s number in recent years. The Tigers will look to change their fortune around tonight.
Both teams enter the game with identical 5-2 overall, 2-1 conference marks.
The Vikings have won the last six meetings, most in blowout fashion. That includes wins of 40-0 last year, 52-13 in 2007 and 58-20 in 2006.
Williamston’s last win over Plymouth came with a 36-7 nod in 2002.
The Tigers are looking for their third straight win. Senior running back Cedric Moody has been the catalyst. He leads the team with 769 yards rushing and six scores on 86 carries. Moody ran for a ridiculous 293 yards and two scores on 29 totes in last week’s 26-20 win over Perquimans.
Jermaine McGhee has added 276 rushing yards and a score.
Quarterback Luke Matthews has hit on 66 of 121 passes (54.5 percent) for 780 yards to go with five touchdowns and seven picks.
K.J. Brown has hauled in 34 passes for 580 yards and two scores, while Kenny Brown has 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown.
Plymouth, led by the rushing of Ronnel Blount and Dylan Watts, the passing of Kevin Purkett and the receiving of Azaam Gross, had won its previous five before falling to Southside a week ago.
Williamston plays host to Northside next week, while Plymouth pays a visit to Camden.
MANTEO AT NORTHSIDE
The Northside Panthers face a tall task in their homecoming contest tonight.
The Panthers (2-5, 0-3), who have dropped three straight, take on the unbeaten Manteo Redskins (7-0, 3-0).
While the offense has been able to generate some points, the Northside defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone. That doesn’t bode well as the Redskins have scored 189 points (47.25) over their last four games.
The Panthers travel to Williamston next Friday night.
CAMDEN AT ROANOKE
The winless Roanoke Redskins are looking to get off the snide tonight.
Roanoke (0-7, 0-3) plays host to the Camden Bruins (1-6, 1-2), who notched their first win of the season with a 47-28 nod over Northside last week.
Roanoke plays at Southside next Friday night.
JAMESVILLE AT COLUMBIA
The Jamesville Bullets look to maintain second place in the Tideland Conference when they pay a visit to Columbia tonight.
Jamesville (3-2, 3-1) was off last week.
The Wildcats (3-3, 3-2) are coming off a 22-6 win over Cape Hatteras. It’s been a nice turnaround for Columbia, which went 0-10 in both 2008 and 2007.
The Bullets knocked off the Wildcats, 28-6, in the first meeting on Sept. 11.
Jamesville plays host to Mattamuskeet next Friday night. Columbia returns to action Oct. 30 at Mattamuskeet.
CAPE HATTERAS AT MATTAMUSKEET
Mattamuskeet and Cape Hatteras are meeting for the second time this season. The Lakers picked up a 14-0 win over the Hurricanes on Sept. 11.
Mattamuskeet (1-3, 1-3) is coming off a 52-0 loss to Creswell (6-0, 4-0; idle tonight).
The Hurricanes (0-6, 0-5) lost 22-6 to Columbia.
The Lakers visit Jamesville next Friday night.