SOUTHSIDE (3-5, 1-3 1A COASTAL PLAINS CONFERENCE) VS. NORTHSIDE (3-6, 0-4 1A CPC)

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

Southside picked up its first conference win of the season on Senior Night last Tuesday with a 45-18 victory over winless Jones Senior. Senior Chris Brinkley led the way for the Seahawks, as he shredded the Trojan defense all night, finishing with 252 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 15 carries. The game looked set to be a shootout, as Jones Senior moved the ball well on its first couple of possessions, but the Southside defense eventually clamped down, allowing only one score through the game’s final 2 ½ quarters of play.

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

Northside is coming of off 60-0 loss at the hands of Tarboro on Oct. 19. Just like the defending 1AA state champions have done to all their opponents this year, the Vikings thoroughly dominated the Panthers, with the game going to a running clock in the second quarter. Tarboro ran for 248 yards and five scores, as 10 different Vikings had at least one carry, averaging 15.5 yards per carry as a team. Tarboro also did something they normally don’t do that much, which was throw the ball. The Vikings completed all three of its passes for 111 yards and two scores.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. How much time will Southside sophomore quarterback Hundley Stallings spend behind center? Southside head coach Jeff Carrow said before the season began that Stallings will see playing time this year and Stallings has received more and more playing time these last couple of weeks, with starter Will Warren moving out to wide receiver to better utilize his height and athleticism. The duo already connected for a touchdown catch against Riverside, and a big rivalry game seems like the perfect opportunity to bust out a trick play involving both of the Seahawks’ quarterbacks.

 

2. How will the Northside defense hold up against the Seahawks’ rushing attack? The Panthers’ defensive unit began the season as a strength for Northside, shutting out the first two opponents of the year. But things have changed as the season has carried on, with the Panthers allowing at least 41 points in five of their last six games. Southside, on the other hand, is highly reliant on running the ball, averaging 184.4 rush yards per game and is coming off of its best rushing performance of the year, putting up 412 yards against Jones Senior. If Northside wants to knock off its rival and pick up its first conference win of the year, it will need to neutralize the Seahawks on the ground.

 

3. What effect will playing in the Anchor Bowl have on the two teams? 2018 has been a disappointing year for both Northside and Southside, as the two squads have combined for six wins so far this season. Winning the Anchor Bowl and defeating a rival can go a long way in putting a happy ending on the season and both coaching staffs will most likely rely on that to motivate their players. When it comes to rivalry games like this, you can throw records out the window. Expect a physical battle between two teams desperate to have something to celebrate about during an otherwise down season.