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This time next week, there will be an extra buzz when it comes to football on the high school level in Beaufort County.

Not only will the guys be preparing for the start of the NC High School Athletic Association state football playoffs, the ladies will be making final preparations for a new venture into flag football.

On Nov. 15, schools from all over the state will be playing the first set of games to crown state champions. That includes Northside, Washington and Southside. One day later, 7-on-7 flag football teams from those same schools will begin play at Washington High School. It’s part of a new program Beaufort County Schools will be trying out along with schools from Craven and Pitt counties.

“So it’s been a big, big deal in the sense of just anticipation,” BCS Athletic Director Keith Mitchell said. “I’m excited for the girls because it’s something they’ve never been able to do. Just speaking to different female athletes at the different high schools, they’re excited, they seem to be interested in what it’s all about and how it’ll run, and so I’m just It’s good for Beaufort County.”

Here’s some of the things you’ll need to know from the information Mitchell and others have put together to get the season started.

Tryouts and practice: Teams opened up on Monday. Washington, Northside and Southside can field up to 18 teen girls on a team. Teams began practices Wednesday (Nov. 6) after a team was selected.

Who else is involved: Havelock, New Bern and West Craven schools will also be in an Eastern Division with the Beaufort County schools. Those schools will play 10 games during three weeks (3 games first and second week, 4 games third week). There is also a Western Division comprised of mostly Pitt County Schools.

Games: They will be played in a jamboree-style format with two teams on one 50-yard field section and two on the other. Games usually take less than an hour to play. The first two weekends will be at Washington High School with the third week at West Craven High School. A single-elimination tournament championship will be played on Dec. 14 at ECU North Campus, just off Hwy. 264 in Greenville.

Cost: $10. Tickets can be purchased through the GoFan website, which has been used by high schools this season. A card reader will be available to purchase tickets at games at Washington High School.

Coaches: Washington – Brad Horton and Dallis Tucker; Northside – Michelle Leathers and Jared Adams; Southside – Kam Rouse 

Schedule: Week 1, Nov. 16 (at Washington High School)

9 a.m.: West Craven vs. New Bern; Northside vs. Washington

10 a.m.: Southside vs. Havelock

11 a.m.: Washington vs. West Craven; New Bern vs. Southside

Noon: Havelock vs. Northside

1 p.m.: Havelock vs. West Craven; Washington vs. New Bern

2 p.m.: Northside vs. Southside

 

Week 2, Nov. 23 (at Washington High School)

9 a.m.: Washington vs. Southside; Northside vs. West Craven

10 a.m.: New Bern vs. Havelock

11 a.m.: New Bern vs. Northside; Southside vs. West Craven

Noon: Havelock vs. Washington

1 p.m.: West Craven vs. New Bern; Havelock vs. Southside

2 p.m.: Washington vs. Northside