PAMLICO COUNTY (5-0, 1-0 1A COASTAL PLAINS CONFERENCE) VS SOUTHSIDE (2-3, 0-1 1A CPC)

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

The Seahawks finally returned to action after Hurricane Florence with an away game at Tarboro. As the defending 1AA state champions do to virtually every team they face, the Vikings ran roughshod over Southside, winning 55-0. Southside had no answer for the Tarboro ground game, allowing 349 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 23 carries. Making matters worse for the Seahawks, they couldn’t move the ball on offense or get any drives going, putting up just 36 yards of offense against a defense that has only given up one touchdown all season.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Southside get its rushing attack back up to speed? A large part of the Seahawks’ recipe for success in their two wins was establishing a strong ground game, racking up 196 rushing yards in the week-two win over Dixon and putting up 357 the next game in a victory over Perquimans. Pamlico County has been firing on all cylinders so far this season, averaging 56.8 points per game. Southside’s best chance of victory requires the Seahawks keeping the Hurricanes’ explosive attack off the field by controlling the ball and clock through a methodical approach by running the ball.

 

2. Can the Seahawks take care of the ball? Ball security has been an issue for Southside this season, especially in its losses. The Seahawks have turned the ball over 11 times in their three defeats, eight of which were fumbles. The turnovers obviously keep Southside from putting points on the board, but they also put the defense in unfavorable field position and give the Seahawk defenders less time to rest since the offense’s drives are cut short.

 

3. How will the Southside defense fare against the Hurricane run game? The Seahawks have had a tough time trying to stop the run this season, especially in their losses, as they give up an average of 259.2 rushing yards per game. Pamlico County’s strength is in running the ball, as the Hurricanes have amassed 2,031 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground so far this year and average a whopping 10.1 yards per carry. Sophomore Sayvone Tutt, with 900 yards, 11 touchdowns and a 12.7 yards-per-carry average, leads the way for Pamlico County. Southside will have to find a way to slow down Tutt and company in order to have any hope of winning and picking up its first conference win of the year.