By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Last week Tropical Storm Hannah threw a monkey wrench into the prep football season, forcing several teams to play on Monday night, so keep an eye out for how those teams bounce back after a short week.
The shortened schedule could have a positive effect on this Friday for teams that were victorious on Monday, as they have a chance to keep their momentum going. For those that weren’t as fortunate, it doesn’t give them that long to dwell on the loss.
Southside and Pamlico had their battle washed out last Friday; however, because both teams had scheduled byes for Week 4, the two will make up their game tonight.
Northside will be taking Week 4 off, and could use the rest after a tough loss to Washington on Monday, and Creswell, who looked sharp in its 28-0 win over Mattamuskeet on Monday.
Plymouth (2-1) at Northampton-West (1-1)
The Vikings faced off against a tough 2-A Edenton-Holmes team and came away with a 14-7 victory their last time out. This week doesn’t get any easier for Plymouth as it battles the Northampton-West Hurricanes on the road.
The Hurricanes were able to edge out Roanoke 24-23 in Week 1, then fell to Northwest Halifax 26-14. Northampton-West (Tar Roanoke Conference) went 5-7 (3-3) last season.
Williamston (1-1) at
First Flight (3-0)
Williamston won its first game of the season with a 24-22 win over Edenton-Holmes in Week 2, and after having a bye last Friday, should be ready to face off against the 2-A First Flight Nighthawks.
Emery Griggs paved the way for the Tigers as he rushed for over 100-yards, and scored twice in the win. Griggs will have to be on top of his game once again if Williamston wants to topple a tough Nighthawks’ team.
First Flight has won each of its first three contests, and is led by returning starting quarterback J.J. Allen.
The Nighthawks (Northeastern Coastal Conference) like to use various formations on offense, and are not afraid to the throw the ball. Allen has a great target in standout wide receiver Andres Jacobson, who will present a tough challenge for the Tigers’ secondary.
Mattamuskeet (0-2) at Cape Hatteras
The Lakers took a tough loss to Tideland Conference rivals Creswell Monday night as they fell 28-0 to the Tigers.
The good news is they won’t have to long to dwell on it as Mattamuskeet will travel to Cape Hatteras tonight.
Quarterback Laquan Collins led the Lakers with 108 rushing yards on Monday, and he will need to step up again for coach Richard Perry’s Lakers.
The Hurricanes struggled last season in the Tideland Conference as they finished 2-9 (1-3).
Roanoke (1-1) at Gates County (0-3)
After losing a tough home opener to Southeast Halifax 28-6, the Redskins bounced back to beat North Edgecomebe 26-14 on the road.
After having off last Friday, Roanoke will once again be on the road as it takes on a struggling Gates County team.
The Red Barons are still searching for their first win of the season. Gates County’s biggest problem appears to be on the defensive side of the ball, where it has surrendered 13, 54 and 39 points in its first three games respectively.
The Red Barons (Tar Roanoke Conference) finished 1-10 (1-5) last season and returns four starters on offense and six on defense.
Gates County likes to run its offense out of the I-formation, while on the other side of the ball it uses a five-man front.
Look for Brian Paschal’s offense, led by QB Amos Perkins and RB Tyreek Cooper to put up a lot of points on the board.
Jamesville (0-1) at Columbia (1-0)
The Bullets’ season didn’t exactly begin with a bang, as Jamesville was clobbered by Harrells Academy 49-6 on Monday night.
Jamesville coach Richie Ange will need a big boost from his running backs this week, as they try to fill the shoes of the graduated Regis Bell, who was last season’s Tideland Player of the Year.
Last season the Bullets finished a perfect 4-0 in the conference, and will look to keep their conference record perfect through Friday when they face the rival Wildcats.