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Just under seven weeks remain before high school football returns to Beaufort County.

All three public school programs had successful seasons last fall, as they combined for a 32-7 record with deep runs in the state playoffs.

Southside, coming off an 11-2 campaign with both losses to Northside, opens Aug. 19 at North Duplin, followed by non-conference home games with Washington County, South Creek and Riverside before an open date.

The Seahawks travel to Rosewood Sept. 23 before the conference season opens.

All schools are in the second year of a four-year realignment, so the Coastal Plains 1A/2A still consists of Southside, Northside, Pamlico County, Jones Senior and Lejeune from 1A and East Carteret from 2A.

“Us, Northside and Pamlico will be the teams to beat in our league,” Southside coach Jeff Carrow said. “Both will be challenges for us and our non-conference schedule should help us prepare. We didn’t play Rosewood last year because they had COVID issues, but they’ve been solid the last four years. It will be fun to get started.”

Southside defends the Fossil Bowl trophy Sept 30 at Pamlico County, then tries to win back the Anchor Bowl trophy at Northside the following week. Homecoming is Oct. 14 vs. Lejeune and Senior Night is Oct. 28 vs. Jones Senior.

Carrow said the Seahawks will have a junior varsity program for the first time since 2019 with a six game schedule.

He expects junior Tequon (Tater) Moore and senior Darren (DJ) Joyner to take over for Kenjray Coffield in the offensive backfield, while starting quarterback Walker Hill returns