NO. 7 SOUTHSIDE (5-7, 2-4 1A COASTAL PLAINS CONFERENCE) AT NO. 2 PAMLICO COUNTY (10-1, 5-1 1A CPC)

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

The Seahawks are coming off of their most complete game of the season, defeating cross-county rival Northside, 44-12, in the first round of the 1A state playoffs after having already defeated the Panthers in the Anchor Bowl earlier this season. Northside actually opened last Friday’s game with an onside kick, which it recovered, leading to a Panther TD on their opening drive. But that was the night’s high point for Northside, as Southside proceeded to take the game over on both sides of the ball. The Seahawk defense held the Panthers to 112 yards of offense and a paltry 2.2 yards-per-play average. Led by Jaheem Carter and his 182 rushing yards and two TDs, Southside put up 274 yards of offense, gaining an average of 7.4 yards per play.

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH PAMLICO COUNTY

The Seahawks and the Hurricanes met previously this season on Oct. 5, with Pamlico County emerging victorious, 45-14, in Chocowinity. As has been the case in several games this year, Southside got off to a slow start, as the Hurricanes scored three times in the game’s opening seven minutes and held a 26-0 lead with 9:39 left in the second quarter. But then Pamlico County’s star running back, Sayvone Tutt, was ejected from the game for striking Sion Kinlaw in the face after the two got into a scuffle after Tutt had already scored three times on the night. Tutt’s ejection energized the Seahawks, as they responded with their best drive the game, which culminated with a 12-yard TD catch by Aeron Wright. Whether it was due to Pamlico County missing Tutt or the Hurricanes taking their foot off the pedal, the Seahawks were much more competitive after Tutt’s dismissal, being outscored 19-14, compared to the 26-point differential through the game’s opening 14 minutes.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Does Southside have an answer for Sayvone Tutt? The Pamlico County sophomore who led the conference in rushing yards and TDs, with 1,560 and 20, respectively, was electric the last time these two teams faced off. Despite only playing for roughly 15 minutes of game time, Tutt managed to put up 127 rushing yards and two scores on nine carries, while also scoring on a 58-yard punt return. The downside of Tutt being ejected so early from the game last time these two teams played means Southside defensive coordinator Andrea Quinerly had less time to watch Tutt up close. While Tutt leaving the game made the final score line closer, Southside probably would have benefitted from him staying in the game longer, as the more exposure to Tutt could’ve have helped the Seahawks devise a way to try to slow him down.

 

2. Can Southside repeat last week’s performance and put together another complete game on both sides of the ball? For much of the year, even in their victories, the Seahawks have started slowly and/or struggled on one side of the ball. Last week’s win over Northside was an exception, as Southside scored early and often, while also shutting down the Panthers’ offense. Southside can’t afford to let Pamlico County build a big lead early in the game, like the Hurricanes did in the first matchup, and the Seahawks will need both their offense and defense to be playing at peak performance against a Pamlico County team that averages 44.8 points per game while giving up 18.7.

 

3. Who will help out Jaheem Carter in the running game? Carter, a sophomore, has been on fire of late and is coming off of a career game against Northside last week. That bodes well for Southside, as a productive running game that methodically drives down the field and eats up the clock can go a long way in keeping the Hurricane offense off the field and out of the end zone. But Carter will need help. The Seahawks have options in Hayden Mayo, Jonquil Haywood and Chris Brinkley, but the last time any of that trio recorded more than 43 yards was on Oct. 30, when Mayo had 82 yards in the Anchor Bowl. Southside will need most, if not all, of its backs to be running well to have a chance tonight.