SOUTHSIDE (7-5, 2-4 1-A COASTAL PLAINS) AT NORTH DUPLIN (11-0, 5-0 1-A CAROLINA)

Location: North Duplin

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Southside’s return trip to Calypso comes a bit earlier than expected. The non-conference series between the Seahawks and North Duplin will see them visit the Rebels next season.

But the Seahawks get an earlier chance at redeeming themselves. North Duplin rolled into Chocowinity and ended Southside’s 4-0 start with a 35-6 win. Now, after earning a first-round bye, the Seahawks will head to the top-seeded Rebels for the second round of the 1-A N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

The Rebels are going to be a challenge. Southside knows this. The two teams have become familiar with one another through their annual non-conference meetings.

READ MORE: Undefeated North Duplin deals Seahawks first loss

North Duplin has thrived on experience on both sides of the ball. Offensively, quarterback William Archer has mastered the option-based attack the Rebels employ. The 6-foot, 181-pound signal caller has been effective running the ball and proved hard to take down.

Beside him in the backfield is another senior in running back Kenny Sheppard. The tandem has combined for over 2,400 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns this season. Colby Bass has added a second option for running the ball. He has 751 yards and nine touchdowns.

Those three account for the lion’s share of the Rebels’ offense. Southside knows this, but that doesn’t mean it can stop it. Archer and Sheppard have been key to North Duplin’s offense for years now. The Seahawks knew what to expect back on Sept. 15, but the two still managed to shred Southside’s defense to the tune of 336 yards. Archer scored three times and Bass found the end zone once, too.

North Duplin has been running, more or less, the same offense since these seniors joined the program. There’s not much reason to believe a lot will change from that September meeting to now.

Southside, on the other hand, will employ new strategies. Demetrius Ebron thrived as a wildcat quarterback for the Seahawks in their 20-0 win over Northside in the first round. He ran for 114 yards and facilitated the offense well when it wasn’t junior Will Warren taking the snaps.

Southside could perhaps introduce another wrinkle by adding a more aerial element on top of that. Warren has moved the ball well through the air, but only attempted one pass against the Panthers.

Moving the ball against the Rebels will be a tall order. Their defense boasts the same experience as their offense. Seniors Dylan Jones, J.J. Hidalgo, Arthur Pigford, Justin Swinson and Sheppard are the team’s top-five tacklers this year. Sheppard leads North Duplin with three sacks.

Ball security will be necessary for Southside to keep the game close. Three Rebels — Gage Smith, Kijah Blow and Luke Britt — have multiple interceptions on the season. As a team, they’ve also recovered 17 fumbles. Jones has five to his name.

The same goes for special teams. Southside got desperate and had an unsuccessful onside kick attempt last time. North Duplin, on the other hand, was able to recover its try at an onside kick.

Moreover, North Duplin has had time to rest and recover with its first-round bye. Southside should also be relatively healthy, though, after having its bye week to end the season.

PREDICTION: NORTH DUPLIN 35, SOUTHSIDE 22