Area teams clash in regular-season finales; Parrott Academy plays host to state final
Kinston head coach Ryan Gieselman (green top) listens to an assistant coach on his headset while talking with his team during a timeout earlier this season. NeuseNews/Rudy Coggins
Fall colors have arrived.
A light chill has filled the air.
It can only mean one thing - November is here and the local high school football teams are winding up regular-season play. Meanwhile, Parrott Academy is squaring off against Grace Christian-Raleigh for an independent schools 8-man state crown.
Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference rivals North Lenoir, Kinston and Ayden-Grifton are headed to the postseason. Bragging rights and playoff seeds are on the line for all three teams. Two could end up tied for third place once the clock hits zero.
The N.C. High School Athletic Association will release first-round pairings for the AA (large-school) and A (small school) playoffs on Saturday.
All kickoffs are 7 p.m.
Kinston (6-4 overall, 3-2 Eastern Carolina 2-A) at Ayden-Grifton (7-2, 3-2) - The Vikings and Chargers are 4-4 against each other since 2013. Kinston has won two straight in the series, including a 13-7 thriller at Viking Stadium a year ago. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less. It’s senior night in Ayden and the Chargers will attempt to avenge a pair of losses to the Vikings last season.
South Lenoir (2-7, 0-5 EC 2-A) at North Lenoir (7-3, 2-3) - The Hawks, who are unbeaten in four home outings this season, look to build some momentum on senior night at Wooten Field in the 37th edition of the Braggin Bowl. The Blue Devils won last year's meeting by 34 points and snapped an eight-game skid in the series. North Lenoir owns an 11-4 edge since 2004.
Greene Central (4-6, 2-4 EC 2A) at Washington (7-3, 4-1) - The Rams have won the last two meetings since the Pam Pack joined the league in 2017. A victory would undoubtedly bolster Greene Central's hopes of making the postseason. A Washington win assures it of a share of the regular-season title with West Craven.
Grace Christian (7-3) at Parrott Academy (8-3) - The Big 8 Conference rivals clash for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I 8-man state championship Saturday evening at Hodges Field. This game is our Neuse News Game of the Week, presented by Nathan Perry Realty and will be aired on our Facebook Page. Top-seeded Parrott has won all five meetings against the Eagles, including a 54-36 victory on Oct. 4. The Patriots seek their fourth state title in program history without heralded running back Trey McLawhorn, who is out with a season-ending knee injury.
