For a high school football player, there’s nothing better than stepping onto a collegiate field for the biggest game of your life. Tomorrow, the Pam Pack will become the first Washington team to do so since 1956.

In a small town, there’s no honor quite like it. Football enthusiasts, former players, fans, family, most local residents and the spirit of Choppy Wagner will all be looking on as Washington takes a shot at rewriting history.

With a roster and coaching staff full of experience, first-year offensive line coach Dewayne Kellum was the last to experience high school football’s biggest stage. In 2002 and 2004, Kellum navigated the Southside Seahawks to the state championship, but could never close. Despite a more ancillary coaching role with the Pam Pack, this game offers Kellum a shot at redemption. And while undersized, his offensive line has sparkled and has not only been key in running back Markel Spencer’s 2000-plus yard season, but also the team’s 14-1 record.

A high-powered passing offense versus a high-efficiency defense — the storyline for tomorrow’s game.

East Lincoln quarterback Chazz Surratt is a dual-threat and will certainly test the Washington secondary. But that being said, the Washington front seven will apply constant pressure. This game will be won in the trenches, where the Pam Pack seems to have a slight advantage.

Senior Jayshawn Rome, at 6-feet, 280-pounds, has been the most productive lineman for defensive coordinator Jon Blank and senior Kyle Krajewski has been nearly as impressive, posting 79 tackles and six sacks. East Lincoln’s defensive line, featuring two 300-pounders, is significantly larger, but hasn’t touched the production of Washington’s line, one that’s more nimble and explosive.

Another matchup to watch is East Lincoln’s Sage Surratt and Damarius Valentine versus the Washington secondary. Diavontrei Moore, Myron Brooks and Hassan Credle must be able to defend the short post routes, as well as the big plays downfield.

East Lincoln has yet to drop a game this season, a perfect 15-0, but even in the traditionally superior western side of the state, their schedule was ridden with mediocrity. Eight of the Mustangs 15 wins were against opponents who finished the season with sub-.500 records and just three were against teams with more than 10 wins (played Lincolnton twice). And against those teams with 10-plus wins, the East Lincoln defense allowed nearly 24 points per game.

Washington has faced nine teams (Kinston twice) who finished the season with records above the .500 mark. Six games were against opponents with 10-or-more wins. The Pam Pack is, undoubtedly, battle tested.

The metrics, matchups and magnetism favors Washington, but having never won a state championship, history does not.

Tomorrow, that all will change. Washington’s front seven will pressure Chazz Surratt, the secondary will guard against the big play, Spencer will rush for over 200 yards in his final game and the Pam Pack will bring the first championship to the banks of the Pamlico River — three days before Dominique Wilkins, a member of the 1979 Pam Pack basketball team, the last revenue sport to ever win a state championship, returns for the first time since he graduated.

PREDICTION: Washington 35, East Lincoln 24