At Eason’s Crossroads, Gates County bounced back after suffering their first loss of the year last week at Bertie by opening Albemarle Conference action with a 41-14 homecoming night win over visiting Manteo.

Quarterback Jawan Riddick led the Red Barons, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another as GCHS improved to 5-1 overall.

Ron Olsen, in his first game back after recovering from an earlier injury, caught two of Riddick’s TD passes while Ty’rell Holley grabbed the other score.

Gregory Crandol rushed for two TD’s for the Red Barons.

Manteo quarterback Bryson Sawyer threw for two TD’s to lead the Redskins, who fell to 3-4 overall.

Gates County will visit Perquimans High School next Friday.

In Ahoskie, perennial conference heavyweight Northeastern High School pinned a 53-13 loss on Hertford County in the conference opener for both teams.

The Bears were led by Qyshaun Chism who scored off a 70-yard kick-off return and Tye Saxby’s 13-yard TD pass to Anron Bond.

Northeastern quarterback Aaron Harris accounted for five touchdowns – three passing and two rushing.

HCHS, who fell to 1-4 overall, hosts First Flight next Friday in another conference test.

In Windsor, Bertie rallied from a 20-8 deficit by reeling off 16 unanswered points to post a thrilling 24-20 win over First Flight during the Falcons annual homecoming game.

Chris Cooper led Bertie by rushing for a pair of touchdowns.

Bertie, 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference, visits Pasquotank High School next Friday.

In Lasker, Northeast-Hobgood Academy had to hold on near the end of the game by defeating Bethel Christian, 54-40, in an NCISAA 8-man football contest.

The unbeaten Eagles (now 4-0) led 48-20 at halftime of their homecoming game, but Bethel got to within 48-40 in the fourth quarter. NEA-Hobgood scored with 4:09 left to give themselves a bit of breathing room.

In other scores from eastern North Carolina games on Friday night:

Ayden-Grifton – 24

Washington – 15

 

D.H. Conley – 41

C.B. Aycock – 18

 

Edenton Holmes – 70

Camden County – 3

 

Farmville Central – 40

Nash Central – 20

 

Greene Central – 42

North Lenoir – 26

 

Havelock – 63

West Carteret – 10

 

Jacksonville – 35

Northside-Jacksonville – 0

 

New Bern – 46

Southern Wayne – 0

 

Pungo Academy – 62

Lawrence Academy – 18

 

Riverside – 25

South Creek – 8

 

Roanoke Rapids – 42

Louisburg – 0

 

SW Edgecombe – 53

North Pitt – 20

 

West Craven – 34

South Lenoir – 0