The local high schools have been putting in quite a bit of work on the practice field. There is talent oozing out of every team in the area, and it might be beneficial to go out and take a look at the product that these teams have worked hard to put on the field in 2019.

This season, there are quality teams trotting on the field and each have the potential to make some noise down the stretch. After going out and seeing what these teams have in some modified scrimmages, I get the feel that teams from outside of Beaufort County may dread having to play one of these three teams.

Southside has a quality group of skill position players that are capable of doing a lot of different things, a good quarterback and a solid defense. Many of their athletes on the offensive side of the ball will play defense as well. Jamari Nelson, Jaquan Cobb, Aeron Wright, Kenjray Coffield, Kaleb Jones Taylor, Davion Carter and Keywon Campbell will all likely see touches coming out of the backfield and likely on defense. A big offensive line has the capability of being great, but depth at the position will be tough with many of them playing on both sides of the ball.

Quinte Peele will be coming off the edge for Southside on defense and will play offensive tackle as well. Daveion McCraw will help lead a younger linebacker group that includes Shantez Clark, James Main and Campbell.

Northside has some speed coming out of the backfield and at the wide out position this season. Samuel Holland, Omari Crandell and James Gorham have all made their presence felt in scrimmages thus far and may be an issue for opposing defenses. The Panthers have a tall quarterback in Carter Boyd who can make the right reads and make throws down field. Wide receivers Tyler Turner, Tyler Modlin and Payton Woolard have all found the end zone in their first two scrimmages. Head coach Keith Boyd said he was going to open up the playbook a little bit, and it has shown so far in the scrimmages they’ve participated in, keeping defenses relatively off-balance.

Defensively, Zakkai Wilson will be edge rushing and play a little bit of linebacker. A young linebacker corps will need to be led by a veteran defensive line and secondary this season.

Washington has also looked relatively impressive so far. Starting quarterback Antwone Godley has proven to be a threat through the air and on the ground. Teams will have trouble defending the option with Godley, Jaden Hambric, Mykell Warren, Terry Moore, Shavar Clark and Walt Gerard. With capable wide receivers in Isaac Cooper, Juan Rosario, Tripp Pippin and Hayden Anderson, the offense has plenty of speed. The offensive line is likely to be the biggest and one of the most experienced in the Eastern Carolina 2-A conference this season.

Defensively, a lot of experience is returning and the speed that the Pam Pack entails will be difficult to maneuver through. With head coach Jon Blank and company heading into their third season together, this could potentially be the season they put it all together.

This group of teams should be very competitive this fall. So, take an opportunity to get the family out the house on a Friday night for any given home game throughout the season. These teams have worked hard in the offseason, and they deserve some support.

Washington will travel to North Pitt next Friday, Southside takes a visit to Ayden-Grifton and Northside will host Perquimans. Football season is here, don’t miss out on all the fun.