By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Northside and Plymouth star in the marquee matchup in Week 6 as the 2-2 Panthers look to topple the reigning state champs. Holding a 3-1 record, the Vikings have gotten off to a strong start this season, and will put up a tough fight on their home turf.
Also looking to put on a good show in front of their home fans will be the Southside Seahawks, who are still searching for their first win. Southside (0-4) will take on Camden.
Northside (2-2) at Plymouth (3-1)
Fresh off their 28-25 win over North Edgecombe, the 2-2 Panthers are off to their best start in a long time. Sophomore quarterback Darius Murray has progressed nicely this season in coach Keith Boyd’s spread-option offense, as he led his team with three touchdowns last Friday.
Murray and his crew are in for a tough battle tonight as they face the defending 1-A champion Plymouth Vikings. Though the Vikings have replaced a lot of their stars from last season, they have continued to play well and are off to a 3-1 start.
The last time Plymouth was out it notched a 34-12 victory over Northampton-West on the road. Last Friday the Vikings had a bye, and should be well rested and prepared for tonight’s game.
Perquimans (2-2) at Roanoke (2-2)
Roanoke held on to take a 30-25 win over Northampton-East last Friday and will look to string two victories together for the first time this season when it hosts Perquimans tonight. The key for the Redskins so far this season is to get over the 20-point mark, as they are 2-0 when doing so.
Perquimans’ season has mirrored the Redskins as it has alternated wins and losses since Week 1. Both teams won last Friday, so the trend has to change for one of them.
Manteo (1-3) at
Williamston (1-3)
Williamston quarterback Cedric Moody put forth a valiant effort in the Tigers’ 28-15 loss to North Pitt, as he battled a knee injury and tried to lead his team to a fourth-quarter comeback. Without him, the Williamston offense struggled with emergency quarterback Emery Griggs taking turns behind center with sophomore Luke Mathews.
It appears that Griggs, a senior, will get the call at QB for the foreseeable future until Moody is able to go again. Griggs is sliding over from the running back position, and is a smart player who can run the ball. The Tigers’ success will hinge on how fast he can learn to be a quarterback.
On the other side of the ball, Williamston’s defense has continued to impress. The Tigers’ defense has the ability to create turnovers and score themselves, and right now Williamston will take points anyway it can get them.
Camden (2-2) at
Southside (0-4)
Tonight’s matchup with Camden is a critical one for Southside, as it enters the battle having been shutout in its last two games. The Seahawks knew this year would be a challenge, but nobody could have forecasted only 20 points in four games.
Tonight’s game will be a gut check for coach David Hines’ crew. Hopefully, the Seahawks will show up and put up a good fight; if not it could be a really long season.
Camden heads into Chocowinity with a 2-2 record, having lost its last time out 35-21 to Northeastern
Columbia (1-2) at
Mattamuskeet (0-4)
Columbia’s season got off to a good start as it beat Cape Hatteras 20-12. However, the Wildcats have struggled over its next two games as they fell to Jamesville and Pasquotank, managing only six points in each of their losses.
Mattamuskeet can sympathize, as the Lakers have been shutout twice this season and are still searching for their first win.
Playing in front of its home crowd, Mattamuskeet will look to put up a good fight against their Tideland Conference foes.
Jamesville (2-1) at
Creswell (2-1)
After losing its first game of the season 30-20 to Harrells Academy, Creswell has rebounded nicely, winning its next two games over Mattamuskeet and Cape Hatteras. Wayne Rodgers’ Tigers have been superb on defense, as the 20 points they let up to Harrells Academy is the only points they allowed all season.
The Bullets head into this Tideland Conference battle their only loss of the season coming at the hands of Harrells Academy (49-6) in their season opener. Since then, Jamesville has won its next two games as well, as it topped Columbia and Mattamuskeet.
These teams are very familiar with each other, and tonight’s matchup should be a close one.