With cooler temperatures and a clear sky expected for tomorrow, football weather is finally here, as a pair of county teams look to preserve winning streaks and power their way through conference play.

With a 4-3 record, Washington’s defense has been firing on all cylinders of late, holding a strong offensive Plymouth team to 17 points and containing Farmville’s dynamic running back, Kashon Baker, for four quarters. The personnel adjustments in the front seven seem to have paid of, as Lexroy Brown, Brandon Jackson and Austin O’Neal continue to have productive seasons.

On offense, the Pam Pack’s running game came alive last week for 323 yards on the ground. Senior Clinton Pope finished with 128 yards on 12 carries, while junior Suae Poe’s 132 rushing yards marked his best game in blue and white. Head coach Sport Sawyer also worked some passing into his offense, as quarterback Tripp Barfield recorded 50 yards through the air, his highest single-game total of the season.

A 44-8 victory over Northside last Friday gave the Seahawks their fifth Anchor Bowl win in six years, the second under head coach Jeff Carrow. The victory also marked the third-consecutive game where the team has recorded 400-plus yards of total offense, a testament to the success of the wing-T offense.

With a 212-yard-rushing performance, running back Lawrence Brown crested 900 yards for the season, while quarterback Johnny Sullivan also had a productive afternoon, passing for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

As for Northside, their losing streak moves to five-straight with the loss heading into a tough matchup with Pamlico County tomorrow.

 

WASHINGTON (4-3, 1-0 Eastern Plains) AT SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE (7-0, 1-0 Eastern Plains)

Location: Pinetops

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Returning nearly every offensive playmaker from last season, undefeated Southwest Edgecombe finds itself in the midst of its best season in school history, a run-heavy offense barreling over every front seven that stands in its way. With 1189 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns through just seven games, senior Marcus Williams Jr. is undoubtedly the top talent in the Eastern Plains Conference this season, while battery mates Keanan Williams and Trevon Pittman have also contributed to the Cougars’ ground game.

But it’s been the Southwest Edgecombe defense that has truly exceeded most preseason expectations. The Cougars are limiting opponents to 11 points per game and have showcased an ability to pressure the quarterback, recording five sacks (three from senior linebacker Elijah Andrews) and 262 tackles. Against passing teams, safety Josh Davis has been the team’s top option in the secondary, reeling in four picks, returning one 50 yards for a score.

The most dangerous weapon in the Cougars arsenal may be buried in the special teams. Senior kicker Jarratt Mobley is 24-for-28 this season with a 37-yard field goal on his resume.

With a perfect 11-0 Eastern Plains Conference record, Washington will look to maintain its conference supremacy tomorrow on the road, but it won’t be easy. From top to bottom, this is the best in-conference foe the team has faced since joining the 2-A classification in 2013.

PREDICTION: SOUTHWEST EDGECOMBE 27, WASHINGTON 21

 

NORTHSIDE (2-5, 0-1 Coastal Plains) VS. PAMLICO COUNTY (2-4, 0-1 Coastal Plains)

Location: Bing Mitchell Stadium

Time: 7 p.m.

PINETOWN — The only game in Beaufort County scheduled for tomorrow features two teams with struggling defenses. Pamlico County’s front seven has been, in a word, ineffective, giving up just under 36 points per game. Northside’s defense has looked promising at times, including a strong showing on the road at North Pitt two weeks ago, but is still giving up 28 points per game.

For the Panthers, the problem has been the secondary. An undersized defensive line has held its own so far, but Southside completed all three of its deep heaves last week in a 36-point shellacking. Against the Hurricanes, a team that leans heavily on its passing game, a lackluster secondary could be crippling. Quarterback Josiah Simmons has thrown for over 700 yards with eight touchdowns and is also a threat on the ground.

Despite Northside’s recent history against Pamlico County (two-straight victories), the Panthers have a solid shot at picking up their first conference win of the season at home.

PREDICTION: PAMLICO COUNTY 35, NORTHSIDE 29

 

SOUTHSIDE (6-0, 1-0 Coastal Plains) AT JONES SENIOR (4-3, 1-0 Coastal Plains)

Location: Trenton

Time: 7 p.m.

There may be no more intriguing team in eastern North Carolina. With the smallest roster in the conference, coming off an embarrassing one-win season, Jones Senior has overcome a tough start with two-consecutive victories heading into tomorrow’s matchup.

The Trojans have showcased a balanced offensive approach throughout the season, as sophomore quarterback Anthony Taylor is completing around 50 percent of his passes. He also is the team’s leading rusher, though Jones Senior has other ground threats as well, including senior scat back Jaiquan Jones.

Southside’s defense, however, has been flawless of late, especially in defending against the run. Hunter Sparks and Nigel Peele have been among the county and conference’s top linebackers, while the defensive line has the size and athleticism to keep pace with the Trojans.

Southside continues to be the favorite to take the conference title, but underestimating a scrappy Jones Senior could prove fatal tomorrow.

PREDICTION: SOUTHSIDE 37, JONES SENIOR 21