As area teams strategize for their season openers tonight, the focus has shifted from preseason practice to the games at hand. With Washington preparing for its second campaign in the Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference, it’s time for the second of three conference predictions.

Head coach Sport Sawyer has built the playbook around his current set of playmakers, but even with the loss of Stevie Green, Karim Topping and Baylone Guilford, the Pam Pack should have little trouble repeating as conference champions.

Washington outscored conference opponents 142-41 last year. However, second-place Beddingfield and third-place Farmville Central return multiple starters on both sides of the ball, so the point differential likely won’t be as high in 2014.

Washington opens its season on the road at Havelock tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

 

EASTERN PLAINS CONFERENCE

1) Washington Pam Pack 8-3 (5-0)

After being relegated to Class 2-A, the Pam Pack breezed through it’s inaugural  season in the Eastern Plains Conference using personnel familiar to the 3-A style of football. This year, the team returns a medley of playmakers on both sides of the ball, including running back Markel Spencer and linebackers Jamond Ebron and Brandon Jackson. For the Pack to repeat as conference champions in 2014, the team needs to find its identity on the defensive line, while compensating for the loss of Stevie Green with a deep and experienced collection of running backs. Despite a general increase in talent across the conference, Washington should have little trouble locking up its second-straight conference title.

2) Beddingfield Bruins 7-4 (4-1)

Even with one of the youngest teams in the conference, head coach Tyrone Johnson established a tradition of winning football last season. It’s a mentality that should pay dividends moving into this season, as a slew of experienced offensive standouts return. Quarterback Kavajae Ellis returns for his senior season, while junior Keshai Lindsey should get the majority of the carries at running back. Washington separated itself from the rest of the conference last season, but Beddingfield should be in the mix for a conference title this season.

3) Farmville Central Jaguars 8-3 (3-2)

A team that went a perfect 5-0 in preconference play last season will be unable to accomplish that same feat in 2014, as the Jaguars host Plymouth to open the season. However, in conference play, it should come down to the matchup with Beddingfield to determine the second-place team, as the Jaguars return nine starters on the offense, including quarterback Shaft Parker, receiver Malik Smith and running back Kashon Baker. On defense, the Jags should be much improved from last season, returning 10 starters.

4) North Pitt Panthers 7-4 (2-3)

A couple of single-score losses derailed the Panthers last season and led to only one conference win. This year, the team should look a little more complete and compete for a middle-of-the-table finish in a competitive conference. North Pitt will operate with a collection of senior leaders, some capable of break out seasons. Seniors Anthony Harris (RB), Monte Forman (WR) and Marquan Foreman (RB) should give head coach David Boal enough production on offense to keep the team competitive. However, defensively, this team still has a few question marks, as new playmakers will need to step up.

5) Southwest Edgecombe Cougars 3-8 (1-4)

In his second season at the helm, head coach Jonathan Cobb has his three leading rushers returning this season. Junior Marcus Williams and seniors Barry Smith and Devontrell Hyman combined for over 2,000 yards on the ground last year, while also contributing defensively. Outside of those three athletes, the Cougars will need other underclassmen to emerge in order for the team to have a shot at moving up in the standings.

6) North Johnston Panthers 1-10 (0-5)

In the midst of a rebuilding era, the Panthers have a schedule full of teams that finished above the .500 mark last season. Typical, that alone is a recipe for losing football, but the team has some skill in the right places and is destined to pick up at least a one out-of-conference win this season. Senior Jayvon Booker returns at receiver and the offensive and defensive lines are all but intact. North Johnston has a long way to go before it returns to its 2011 success, but this season should begin the uphill climb.