The five-game non-conference stretch is in the rear-view mirror. Washington knows well what can be accomplished during the conference stretch of the season. It went winless through its first five games, but began making waves as soon as 2-A Eastern Plains Conference play came around.

The Pam Pack began league play with a 21-10 win at Farmville Central. It followed its first win with another on the road — this one a one-score victory at Beddingfield. Nazzir Hardy caught a 49-yard bomb from Frederick Holscher in a 21-19 homecoming win against North Pitt.

Despite starting 0-5, a conference championship would have sealed a playoff spot for the Pam Pack. The season again came unraveled, though, as North Johnston and Southwest Edgecombe blew out Washington down the stretch. It lacked a competitive fire in the way many players seemed to get knocked down and stay there.

Washington’s coaching staff, now under the direction of Jon Blank, have been coaching the players to rise to the occasion in those very scenarios. There have been setbacks over the first five weeks. These next half dozen games will show exactly what kind of mental fortitude the Pam Pack has. It opens play in the new-look 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference at Greene Central on Friday.

Southside and Northside open their respective 1-A Coastal Plains Conference schedules with lofty challenges. The Seahawks are tasked with league newcomer Tarboro. The undefeated Vikings are a favorite to win a state championship this season.

Southside may very well be facing its second-straight loss, but a decent showing against a team like Tarboro could go a long way to build confidence. The Vikings are the undisputed front-runner for the league crown, leaving the Seahawks to compete for second place. It will be a lot like past meetings with former conference foe East Carteret.

Northside has to travel to Riverside for the second year in a row. The Panthers and Knights were both 4-0 heading into their non-conference final in 2016. Riverside lit them up for 61 points in a win.

The Panthers have an extra game under their belt. Riverside being another new addition to the 1-A Coastal Plains Conference adds an extra wrinkle. Both the Knights and Northside hope that they can compete for a top-three spot with Southside.

This week is where the real season begins. Conference standings play a major role in playoff seeding, so all work done from here on out will have a direct bearing on each team’s goals for the remainder of the season.