By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Tonight’s area football games will have tremendous implications on the conference standings. With a win tonight over Northside, Williamston (3-5, 2-2) can clinch a share of the Atlantic Conference title.
In the Albemarle Conference, the two top teams will square off as Plymouth (7-1, 4-0) will battle Camden (6-2, 4-0) for the division lead.
The action is heating up in the Tideland Conference as well, as Jamesville is in pursuit (3-3, 3-2) of Creswell (5-1, 5-0), and desperately needs a win tonight before the two teams meet next week.
Williamston (3-5, 2-2) at Northside (2-6, 0-4)
After struggling against Plymouth last Friday, Williamston will try to bounce back on the road against Northside. Tonight’s game is a big one for the Tigers, as a win over their Atlantic Conference rivals would put them in excellent position to win the conference crown.
With a conference record of 2-2, Williamston holds a two-game lead over everybody else with just three games left in the regular season (including tonight’s game).
The Panthers are also looking to rebound from a tough loss, as they fell 43-12 to Manteo last Friday. Northside will need a solid team effort if it wants to pick up a win, as Panthers’ quarterback Isaiah McCullor may not play due to a foot injury.
Camden (6-2, 4-0) at Plymouth (7-1, 4-0)
Plymouth seems to be getting better each week, which is scary news for 1-A teams. Last week the Vikings’ pitched their second straight shutout in their 40-0 win over Williamston.
This week, Plymouth faces another big challenge and will put its perfect 4-0 Albemarle Conference record on the line against Camden and its perfect 4-0 conference record.
Which ever team wins tonight will be in the drivers’ seat in the race for the conference crown.
Southside (0-8, 0-4) at Roanoke (2-6, 0-4)
Both Southside and Roanoke are still searching for their first Atlantic Conference win, and by the end of the night one of these teams will have one.
Last week Roanoke stumbled against a quality Camden team, falling 48-12, which extended its losing streak to four.
The Redskins won’t be getting any pity from Southside, who is dangerously close to going winless for two straight seasons.
Jamesville (3-3, 3-2) at Mattamuskeet (1-7, 1-5)
The Bullets’ offense got into gear last week as they shot past Columbia 46-0. With a 3-2 Tideland Conference record of 3-2, Jamesville must win tonight’s game if it wants to keep up with Creswell (5-0), who it will play next week, in the hunt for the conference title.
Mattamuskeet is in the midst of a three game losing streak, its second of the season, as it fell 34-6 to Cape Hatteras last Friday. The Lakers will need a solid team effort if they won’t to snap the skid.
Cape Hatteras (2-4, 2-3) at Creswell (5-1, 5-0)
Fresh off of a bye week, Creswell should be well rested and prepared for tonight’s match up with Cape Hatteras. Tonight’s game is huge for the Tigers, as a win over the Hurricanes would put them in excellent position to win the Tideland Conference.
Cape Hatteras comes into Creswell riding the confidence of a 34-6 win over Mattamuskeet its last time out.