By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Ten area football teams will begin their quest for a state championship as the N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs kickoff tonight.
The No. 10 seed Washington Pam Pack (6-5) plays at perennial power Western Alamance (8-3), the No. 7 seed, in a Class 3-A battle.
Nine area teams will be competing in the 1-A playoffs.
NORTHSIDE AT CRESWELL
The No. 15 seed Northside Panthers (3-8) will face the No. 2 Creswell Tigers (10-0). It’s the second meeting between the two schools this season. The Tigers posted a 48-12 win in the first game of the season.
“They’re going to throw it a little bit,” Northside coach Keith Boyd said of the Tigers. “Our defense is going to have to step it up. If our defense steps up and we play like we did in the second half against Southside (a 29-28 win in the regular-season finale), I think we can be in it.
“Everybody is 0-0 right now; 10-0 and 3-8 don’t mean a thing. We’ll go there, play hard and do the best we can.”
The win over Southside snapped a six-game losing streak for the Panthers, who have been finding the end zone numerous times of late. Northside scored 80 points in its last three games.
“We run a variety of formations and it looks fairly complicated, but really we just run a lot of the same plays out of different formations,” Boyd said. “We’ve been trying to find some weaknesses that way.”
Quarterback Isaiah McCullor has been steady for the Panthers all year, while Demarques Martin has rumbled for over 1,300 yards rushing.
The Tigers have been cruising all season. Coach Wayne Rodgers guided Creswell to its second straight Tideland Conference championship with another perfect run through conference play.
“It’s just great to go 10-0 with this group of guys,” Rodgers said. “It was truly amazing. They put in a great effort this year. We had a lot of young guys step up.”
Rodgers is expecting his team will face a challenge from the Panthers on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a lot different (than the first meeting),” Rodgers said. “I know they are not the same team. They have improved a lot.”
Creswell’s offense has been racking up points, averaging 42.5 points per game. The defense has been just as impressive, giving up just 6.2 points a game. In the last seven games, the Tigers have surrendered just 22 points (3.14 points per game).
Jaquan Bryant (827 yards rushing, 11 TDs) and Timell Sawyer (823 yards rushing, 9 TDs) have led the Creswell ground attack. Gary Blount has been effective running (421 yards, 7 TDs) and catching (19 for 424 yards, 8 TDs) for the Tigers.
Quarterback Danvonta Phelps has completed 29 of 52 (55.8 percent) passes for 527 yards, throwing three touchdown passes and four picks. He’s added 173 yards rushing and three scores.
The defense is led by Shaton Basnight (96 tackles), Timothy Roughton (95 tackles), Xavier Owens (15 sacks) and Justin Phelps (four interceptions).
The winner faces either the No. 10 seed Columbia Wildcats (5-4), who won three of their last four in Tideland Conference play, or the No. 7 seed North Edgecombe Warriors (6-4) in the second round.
Northside is making its 18th playoff appearance since 1972, going 13-17 in that time. Creswell is making its 13th appearance, going 7-12.
SOUTHSIDE AT WILLIAMSTON
The No. 12 seed Southside Seahawks (4-7) will face the No. 5 seed Williamston Tigers (9-2) in a battle of Four Rivers Conference teams.
The Tigers, last year’s 1-A state runners-up, took a 47-27 win over the Seahawks two weeks ago.
Cedric Moody has been running wild for the Tigers, including a 345-yard, six touchdown effort last week against Roanoke. Moody has galloped for 1,625 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, while adding 267 yards and three scores through the air.
Tiger quarterback Luke Matthews has connected on 96 of 176 (54.5 percent) passes for 1,259 yards, throwing 10 TD passes and 11 interceptions.
K.J. Brown (47 catches, 803 yards, seven TDs), Kenny Brown (24 catches, 279 yards, two scores) and Jermaine McGhee (20 catches, 323 yards, four TDs) are Williamston’s top receivers.
Quinton Lawrence and Trevon Rodgers each have six pickoffs to lead the Tiger defense, while Laquan Speller has snagged five. Walt Ange has three fumble recoveries.
“We are excited about getting a second chance to play Williamston,” Southside coach David Hines said. “The coaches and the players have put a lot of time and effort this week into getting better at what we do. We felt good about our game plan last time and without the turnovers it could have been a different game. Turnovers will be a major key in who wins this game."
Terrill Moore has been a key to Southside’s success this season. The sophomore quarterback has completed 61 of 172 (35.5 percent) passes for 993 yards, tossing nine TD passes and eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 662 yards and 13 more touchdowns.
Lonnie Williams has rushed for 637 yards and eight scores, while Marcus Oneal has added 499 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Willie Rufin (27 catches, 432 yards, four TDs) and Curtis Myers (14 catches, 249 yards, two scores) are Southside’s top receivers.
Johnnie Pender, Greg Crisp, Teon Aaron, James Jones, Humberto Husband and Sam Jarman spearhead the Southside defense.
The winner will face either the No. 4 seed Wallace-Rose Hill Bulldogs (9-2) or the No. 13 seed Northampton-East Rams (3-8) in the second round.
Williamston is making its 22nd playoff appearance since 1972, going 34-19 in that time. Southside is making its six appearance, going 14-5.
PLYMOUTH AT JAMESVILLE
The No. 8 seed Jamesville Bullets (5-4) will play host to the No. 9 seed Plymouth Vikings (7-4) on Friday night. Plymouth took a 50-0 win over Jamesville on Aug. 28.
“They are going to have athletes on both sides of the ball,” Jamesville coach Richie Ange said about the Vikings. “We expect them to be even better than the first time we played them. They have speed to burn on offense and defense.”
Plymouth coach Robert Cody is more concerned with is team than the opposition.
“We’re just trying to get better as a team,” Cody said. “I feel better about the team I had now than what I had then. We beat Perquimans on Friday night and I think we’ve gotten better. We got some new linemen in there, and we had some backs stepped up.”
The Vikings lost Dylan Watts (car accident) and Ronnell Blount (injury) earlier in the year. Cody said freshman Carl McCray, Elmer Cooper and Calvin Norman have filled in admirably.
Though the Vikings beat Jamesville earlier, Cody isn’t taking the Bullets lightly.
“Coach Ange coaches really well over there,” Cody said. “We’ll have to be ready.”
The winner will face either the No. 1 seed Manteo Redskins (11-0), the Four Rivers Conference champions, or the No. 16 seed Mattamuskeet Lakers (1-7), a Tideland Conference member, in the second round.
Plymouth is making its 18th playoff appearance since 1972, going 13-16-1 in that time. Jamesville is making its 16th appearance, going 4-14.
ROANOKE AT WELDON
The No. 14 seed Roanoke Redskins (3-8) will face the No. 3 seed Weldon Chargers (9-1).
The winner will face either the No. 6 seed Jones Senior Trojans (7-4) or the No. 11 seed Northampton-West Hurricanes (4-6) in the second round.
Roanoke is making its 18th playoff appearance since 1972, going 29-16 in that time.
COLUMBIA AT NORTH EDGECOMBE
The No. 10 seed Columbia Wildcats (5-4), who won three of their last four in Tideland Conference play will face the No. 7 seed North Edgecombe Warriors (6-4).
The winner faces either No. 2 Creswell or No. 15 Northside in the second round.
Columbia is making its 13th playoff appearance since 1972, going 9-12 in that time.
MATTAMUSKEET AT MANTEO
The No. 1 seed Manteo Redskins (11-0), the Four Rivers Conference champions, will take on the No. 16 seed Mattamuskeet Lakers (1-7), a Tideland Conference member.
Matt Macon spearheads the Laker defense, racking up triple-digit tackles and double-digit sacks this year.
David Grays and Devonte Green lead the Mattamuskeet offense.
The winner faces either No. 8 Jamesville or No. 9 Plymouth in the second round.
Mattamuskeet is making its 11th playoff appearance since 1972, going 0-10 in that time.
NCHSAA State Playoffs
Class 3-A
First Round
No. 10 Washington at No. 7 Western Alamance
Class 1-A
No. 12 Southside at No. 5 Williamston
No. 15 Northside at No. 2 Creswell
No. 16 Mattamuskeet at No. 1 Manteo
No. 9 Plymouth at No. 8 Jamesville
No. 14 Roanoke at No. 3 Weldon
No. 10 Columbia at No. 7 North Edgecombe
NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2009 STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS
First Round at higher seed: Friday, November 13
(seed in bracket and 11-game record listed for each qualifier)
1-A
East
(16) Mattamuskeet (1-8) at (1) Manteo (11-0)
(9) Plymouth (7-4) at (8) Jamesville (5-4)
(12) Chocowinity Southside (4-7) at (5) Williamston (9-2)
(13) Northampton-East (4-7) at (4) Wallace-Rose Hill (9-2)
(14) Robersonville Roanoke (3-8) at (3) Weldon (9-1)
(11) Northampton-West (3-7) at (6) Jones (7-4)
(10) Columbia (5-4) at (7) North Edgecombe (6-4)
(15) Pinetown Northside (3-8) at (2) Creswell (10-0)
West
(16) Rosewood (2-8) at (1) Mount Airy (11-0)
(9) West Columbus (5-6) at (8) North Stokes (6-5)
(12) Alleghany (4-7) at (5) Hobbton (8-3)
(13) Hayesville (3-7) at (4) Princeton (8-3)
(14) South Davidson (3-8) at (3) Robbinsville (8-2)
(11) Lakewood (5-6) at (6) South Stanly (7-4)
(10) North Duplin (4-7) at (7) Cherokee (6-5)
(15) Monroe Union Academy (2-7-1) at (2) Elkin (9-2)
1-AA
East
(16) Rose Hill Union (2-9) at (1) Southwest Onslow (11-0)
(9) East Montgomery (5-5-1) at (8) Warsaw James Kenan (6-5)
(12) Dixon (4-7) at (5) Ayden-Grifton (6-5)
(13) Perquimans (4-7) at (4) Pender (9-1)
(14) Rocky Point Heide Trask (4-7) at East Columbus (5-5)
(11) Gates (5-6) at (6) East Carteret (4-7)
(10) Newton Grove Midway (5-6) at (7) Southeast Halifax (3-8)
(15) South Robeson (4-7) at (2) Goldsboro (9-2)
West
(16) North Wilkes (1-10) at (1) Albemarle (11-0)
(9) North Rowan (5-6) at (8) Murphy (7-4)
(12) Avery (5-6) at (5) Bessemer City (7-4)
(13) West Wilkes (4-7) at (4) Swain (7-3)
(14) Mitchell (4-7) at (3) Hendersonville (9-2)
(11) East Wilkes (6-5) at (6) East Surry (10-1)
(10) Kernersville Bishop McGuinness (9-2) at (7) West Montgomery (8-3)
(15 Cherryville (4-7) at (2) Monroe (11-0)
2-A
East
(16) Carrboro (4-7) at (1) East Bladen (11-0)
(9) Pasquotank (7-4) at (8) Louisburg (8-3)
(12) Northwest Halifax (5-6) at (5) Siler City Jordan-Matthews (9-2)
(13) Franklinton (5-6) at (4) Fairmont (4-6)
(14) North Brunswick (5-6) at (3) Roanoke Rapids (8-3)
(11) Newport Croatan (6-5) at (6) Tarboro (10-1)
(10) Farmville Central (6-5) at (7) Whiteville (7-3)
(15 Burlington Cummings (4-6) at Kill Devil Hills First Flight (9-2)
West
(16) Surry Central (2-9) at (1) Boonville Starmount (9-2)
(9) Lexington (5-6) at (8) Trinity (6-5)
(12) Brevard (6-5) at (5) Polk County (9-2)
(13) East Rutherford (4-7) at (4) Thomasville (7-4)
(14) West Davidson (4-7) at (3) Winston-Salem Carver (7-4)
(11) Maiden (6-5) at (6) Lincolnton (8-3)
(10) Eastern Randolph (7-4) at (7) Climax Providence Grove (8-3)
(15) Madison (4-7) at (2) Burnsville Mountain Heritage (9-2)
2-AA
East
(16) St. Paul's (2-9) at (1) East Duplin (11-0)
(9) Kinston (9-2) at (8) High Point T.W. Andrews (7-4)
(12) Elizabeth City Northeastern (7-3) at (5) Pittsboro Northwood (10-1)
(13) South Lenoir (7-4) at (4) South Granville (8-3)
(14) Wilson Beddingfield (6-5) at (3) Reidsville (11-0)
(11) Richlands (5-6) at (6) Bunn (8-3)
(10) Hillsborough Cedar Ridge (7-4) at (7) Jacksonville Northside (8-3)
(15) West Stanly (5-6) at (2) SouthWest Edgecombe (11-0)
West
(16) Claremont Bunker Hill (4-7) at (1) Shelby (10-1)
(9) East Burke (8-3) at (8) Salisbury (7-4)
(12) Black Mountain C.D. Owen (6-5) at (5) Canton Pisgah (7-4)
(13) Wilkes Central (6-5) at (4) Marshville Forest Hills (8-3)
(14) Ashe County (6-5) at (3) East Lincoln (9-2)
(11 Charlotte Berry Academy (7-4) at (6) West Stokes (7-4)
(10) Monroe Piedmont (7-4) at (7) Newton-Conover (10-1)
(15) South Iredell (4-7) at (2) Catawba Bandys (10-1)
3-A
East
(16) Currituck (1-10) at (1) Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons (10-1)
(9) China Grove Jesse Carson (6-5) at (8) Ledford (6-5)
(12) Mayodan Dalton McMichael (5-6) at (5) Eastern Alamance (10-1)
(13) Southern Vance (5-6) at (4) West Craven (9-2)
(14) Southern Guilford (5-6) at (3) Havelock (11-0)
(11) South Brunswick (5-5) at (6) East Rowan (8-3)
(10) Washington (6-5) at (7) Western Alamance (8-3)
(15) Jacksonville White Oak (6-5) at (2) Hertford (11-0)
West
(16) Charlotte Harding (4-7) at (1) Lenoir Hibriten (11-0)
(9) Northwest Cabarrus (8-3) at (8) Concord (5-6)
(12) West Henderson (6-5) at (5) Lawndale Burns (5-6)
(13) Hickory (6-5) at (4) Waynesville Tuscola (9-1-1)
(14) West Iredell (5-6) at (3) Asheville (9-0-1)
(11) Gastonia Hunter Huss (6-5) at (6) Franklin (9-2)
(10) R-S Central (8-3) at (7) South Rowan (9-2)
(15) Morganton Freedom (5-6) at (2) West Rowan (11-0)
3-AA
East
(16) Eastern Guilford (4-7) at (1) South Johnston (10-1)
(9) Winterville South Central (8-3) at (8) Rocky Mount (6-4)
(12) Fayetteville Douglas Byrd (7-4) at (5) Fayetteville Westover (9-2)
(13) Chapel Hill (5-6) at (4) West Brunswick (7-3)
(14) Burlington Williams (5-5-1) at Wilson Hunt (8-3)
(11) Southern Nash (8-3) at (6) Erwin Triton (8-3)
(10) Pikeville Charles B. Aycock (9-2) at (7) Orange (6-5)
(15) Western Harnett (4-7) at (2) Hope Mills Gray's Creek (9-2)
West
(16) Asheboro (4-7) at (1) Northern Guilford (10-1)
(9) Harrisburg Hickory Ridge (6-5) at (8) North Forsyth (5-6)
(12) Anson (7-4) at (5) Waxhaw Marvin Ridge (9-2)
(13) Boiling Springs Crest (6-4) at (4) Northeast Guilford (8-3)
(14) Concord Jay Robinson (5-6) at (3) Kannapolis A.L. Brown (10-1)
(11) Asheville Clyde Erwin (7-4) at (6) Charlotte Catholic (7-4)
(10) Gastonia Ashbrook (4-7) at (7) Belmont South Point (9-2)
(15) Weddington (5-6) at (2) Gastonia Forestview (9-2)
4-A
East
(16) East Wake (4-7) at (1) Southern Durham (10-1)
(9) Person (6-5) at (8) Raleigh Athens Drive (8-3)
(12) Holly Springs (7-4) at Wilmington New Hanover (8-3)
(13) Fayetteville Pine Forest (6-5) at (4) Fayetteville Terry Sanford (9-2)
(14) New Bern (5-5) at (3) Apex Middle Creek (10-1)
(11) Pembroke Purnell Swett (9-2) at (6) Durham Hillside (8-3)
(10) Greenville Rose (5-5) at (7) Southeast Raleigh (9-2)
(15) Fayetteville Seventy-First (5-6) at (2) Harnett Central (11-0)
West
(16) Asheville T.C. Roberson (4-7) at (1) Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds (11-0)
(9) Western Guilford (5-6) at (8) Winston-Salem Mount Tabor (8-3)
(12) Indian Trail Porter Ridge (7-4) at (5) Alexander Central (10-1)
(13) East Gaston (6-5) at (4) Asheville A.C. Reynolds (9-2)
(14) Watauga (6-5) at (3) Jamestown Ragsdale (11-0)
(11) North Davidson (7-4) at (6) Monroe Sun Valley (8-3)
(10) High Point Central (8-3) at (7) Kernersville Glenn (8-3)
(15) Greensboro Ben Smith (5-6) at (2) Greensboro Dudley (10-1)
4-AA
East
(16) Clayton (4-7) at (1) Wake Forest-Rolesville (11-0)
(9) Raleigh Wakefield (6-5) at (8) Garner (6-5)
(12) Raleigh Millbrook (6-5) at (5) Fuquay-Varina (9-2)
(13) Durham Jordan (6-5) at (4) Southern Pines Pinecrest (9-2)
(14) Cary Panther Creek (5-6) at Fayetteville Jack Britt (10-1)
(11) Raleigh Leesville Road (8-3) at Raleigh Broughton (5-6)
(10) Hope Mills South View (6-5) at (7) Lumberton (7-4)
(15) Cary (5-6) at (2) Wilmington Hoggard (7-4)
West
(16) West Charlotte (5-6) at (1) Matthews David Butler (10-0)
(9) Lake Norman (8-3) at (8) West Forsyth (9-2)
(12) East Mecklenburg (6-5) at (5) Greensboro Page (9-2)
(13) North Mecklenburg (6-5) at (4) Charlotte Olympic (9-2)
(14) Huntersville Hopewell (65-) at (3) Charlotte Mallard Creek (9-1)
(11) East Forsyth (6-5) at (6) Charlotte Independence (10-1)
(10) Charlotte Providence (7-4) at (7) Charlotte Vance (5-6)
(15) Northwest Guilford (5-6) at (2) Richmond Senior (10-1)