Week-7 of high school football action has just three games for Roanoke-Chowan area teams on the slate. Jacksonville will make its first-ever visit to Bear Stadium when the Cardinals travel up US-13 to face Hertford County, in the region’s only home game. Elsewhere, Northampton County seeks to extend its longest win streak in five years – its sixth win in a row since their season-opening loss to Roanoke Rapids – when the Jaguars head to Leggett to face North Edgecombe; and, following their third off-week of the season, Northeast-Hobgood plays their second game of the year at Halifax Academy. Bertie and Gates County are off.

JACKSONVILLE at HERTFORD COUNTY

Last Friday Hertford County shook off a two-game losing streak and pounded North Pitt, 48-6.

“It was a good win,” said Bears head coach Terrance Saxby, who welcomed a pair of his former players – Jaquari Roberson, now at Wake Forest University, and Alex Maxbauer of Greensboro College – to the sidelines for inspiration. “We played well, followed the game plan, and we got the win.”

This Friday, Hertford County (3-2) looks to climb two-games above the .500 mark when they host Jacksonville (4-1) in their final non-conference game before Northeastern Coastal Conference play begins in one week.

“Jacksonville is a very good team,” Saxby continued. “They’re one of the better teams we’ve played all year. They run the option offense and they have a good quarterback who reads the option very well.

Quarterback Lance Hunter continues to power the Bear offense. The senior has passed for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Kyeem Perry has rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns in just five games, while receiver Zion Riddick has 27 receptions for 586 yards and he has also put up eight touchdowns.

“For us to be successful Friday night we must play assignment football on defense and slow down their option attack,” concluded Saxby. “Offensively, we must execute our plays and take advantage of the big plays that are available for us.”

NORTHAMPTON at NORTH EDGECOMBE

Last Friday Northampton County rolled to their best offensive – and defensive – night of the season with a 50-0 shellacking of Rocky Mount Prep. The Jaguars’ opponent this Friday – North Edgecombe – beat KIPP Pride – so both teams are 1-0 in the Tar-Roanoke Conference.

“Our first team built up a big lead, and that allowed our second string guys to finish up,” said Jags coach George Privott.

This Friday, Northampton County (5-1, 1-0, TRC) will be at North Edgecombe (1-4, 1-0, TRC).

“North Edgecombe is a young team, but they have talent,” said Privott. “We will not overlook them because of their record. They have lost to some good teams.

“We have to play good on offense, eliminate turnovers, and the defense needs to continue to play well,” closed Privott.

The Jaguars will be going for their sixth straight win; their most in a row since they won seven straight back in 2012.

NORTHEAST-HOBGOOD at HALIFAX ACADEMY

Counting the first week of the season, last Friday marked three off-weeks for Northeast-Hobgood Academies, and sandwiched in between two of those off dates was a game against Halifax Academy. The Eagles could have claimed first-place in the Colonial Carolina Conference 1A Eight-man standings with a win in the first game. Now they get a chance at revenge.

“We had five turnovers in that game and that hurt us,” said Eagles head coach Brandon Lanier.

This Friday, the two combatants are back at it with NEA-Hobgood (1-3) once again visiting the Vikings (2-3).

“Halifax blocks real well and their defense is aggressive,” added Lanier.

“For us to be successful Friday night we have to limit turnovers which will be key for us,” the coach concluded. “We also need to play good offense and defense. Halifax is a good team and this is not just a big game, it’s also a rivalry game for us. We will be out to pull off the upset.”