SOUTHSIDE (4-6, 2-4 1A COASTAL PLAINS CONFERENCE) VS. NORTH DUPLIN (4-5, 1-4 1A CAROLINA CONFERENCE)

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

The Seahawks are coming off of their closest loss of the season, a 7-0 defeat on Homecoming Night at the hands of South Creek. It was a defensive battle between teams that had similar records and the difference of the game was a pinpoint 41-yard touchdown pass. The Southside defense gave its team a chance by keeping the Cougars out of the end zone for the rest of the game and creating some turnovers. But the Seahawk offense couldn’t reach pay dirt, dropping some key passes and committing costly penalties. A victory would’ve gone a long way in helping Southside reach the playoffs, but a win tomorrow could still earn the Seahawks a postseason berth.

 

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will Southside be ready to go from the opening whistle? In several of the Seahawks’ losses this year they’ve come out of the gates slowly, allowing their opponent to build a considerable lead, before Southside locks in and plays the opposing team evenly in the second half. North Duplin appears to be an evenly matched team with the Seahawks, but Southside doesn’t have the explosive, quick-strike offense required to rally from a big deficit. A win is very possible for the Seahawks, but they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders from the very start.

 

2. Can Seahawk running back Jaheem Carter continue his late-season surge? The sophomore went through the season’s first seven games getting limited touches and finishing with more than 18 yards once (39 yards against Dixon in week two). But Carter has found a groove these past several weeks, running for 90 yards and a score against Jones Senior, 83 yards and three touchdowns in the Anchor Bowl and 74 yards against South Creek, with the latter two performances leading his team in rush yards. Carter provides a blend of the skills Southside’s other backs bring to the table, powerful running, similar to Hayden Mayo, while also having speed, like the elusive Chris Brinkley.

 

3. Can Jamari Nelson’s late-season return help spark the Southside defense? The Seahawk coaching staff tabbed Nelson to be a defensive cornerstone this season after impressive performances last year as a sophomore. But an injury over the summer kept that from becoming a reality, forcing freshmen and sophomores to be heavily relied upon. The linebacker suited up for the South Creek game, and if he plays against North Duplin and performs at the level he’s shown in the past, it can go a long way in helping Southside pick up a win and possibly sneak into the playoffs.