The intriguing preseason storylines are beginning to take shape halfway through the 2015 high school season, despite what was a surprising and rather unexpected start to the season for Northside and Washington.

Sporting a 4-3 record, the Pam Pack is in the early stages of finally finding an identity, coming off strong performances against Plymouth (5-2) and Farmville Central (3-4), a team that has perennially given Washington trouble. The most notable preseason storyline was how the Pack would respond after losing 26 seniors to graduation following the state championship run, a loss that would adversely affect just about any high school team in the state.

So far, Washington has had its fair share of inconsistency, but the defense has grown mightily over the last two weeks. Seniors Lexroy Brown and Brandon Jackson, two vital pieces to the front seven, have combined for 64 total tackles. Given their role in Washington’s historically dominant defense last season, the seniors’ production was expected. The real X-factors in the Pam Pack’s recent success have junior defensive end Austin O’Neal and linebacker Jarquez Keyes, who has also produced on offense for head coach Sport Sawyer. O’Neal has come up with key defensive plays down the stretch and is currently second on the team with 38 total tackles and two sacks. And if there is a defensive MVP through the first half, an argument could be made for Keyes, who has notched 29 tackles and a team-high three sacks.

On offense, both Sharwan Staton and Tripp Barfield have seen time at quarterback, while Sawyer hasn’t been afraid to showcase his full stable of running backs. Last Friday, Barfield had his best outing of the season, completing 3-of-6 passes for 50 yards, and Staton was used mostly to keep the Jaguars’ defense honest. So far, the dual-quarterback system has worked for the Pam Pack heading into this week’s showdown against Southwest Edgecombe.

Northside’s strong 2-0 start to the season energized players and rallied fans to the cause. But since the 20-12 win over North Duplin on Aug. 28, the Panthers have been ineffective, both offensively and defensively, dropping five-straight games.

Averaging just nine points during the losing streak, the running game has lacked a dynamic playmaker comparable to Rockne Butler, who rushed for 1,778 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior last season, though Shaheim Brewington has made the most of his increased playing time. Quarterback Jackson Midgette, a junior who began the season resilient, has been forced to improvise with little time to operate in the pocket, resulting in a regressing completion percentage.

But it’s important to remember that Washington isn’t the only team that lost seniors to graduation. The Panthers field just six upperclassmen, only one who got significant playing time last season. With tough matchups against Pamlico County and a resurgent Jones Senior ahead, the road only gets tougher for Northside.

As for the Panthers’ cross-county rival, nothing, not even rain, a lack of practice time or a dual-threat quarterback (Riverside’s Jeremiah Wilson), seems to be getting in the way of the Seahawks’ quest for a perfect season. Southside, simply put, has been impressive, carried by a deep, athletic stable of running backs and a defense that has far exceeded preseason expectations.

Senior Lawrence Brown has certainly lived up to the hype, rushing for 710 yards on 86 carries, averaging about nine yards a per rush. In a system with a host of complementary backs, including wingback Matt Baxter and speedster Amari Peele, the Seahawks have been a matchup nightmare for every front seven so far.

But while Southside’s offense has produced, the defense has been equally as daunting. Senior Nigel Peele has been the X-factor in the front seven, leading the team in tackles and tackles for a loss. Guys like captain Hunter Sparks, Joe Myers and Rae’kwon Morning have also contributed to a defense allowing 14 points per game.

With games against Jones Senior and East Carteret remaining, it’s too early to talk about what kind of damage the Seahawks can do in the playoffs, but they should be considered among a handful of teams capable of making a serious postseason statement.