The Kinston High School defense swarms a Farmville Central ball-carrier in last week’s 40-14 Vikings’ victory in Farmville. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Well, at least most of the local Week 1 games were under Friday Night Lights.

Ayden-Grifton’s game with Chocowinity Southside became the lone local contest to finish on another day. Despite lightning across the region, the other seven schools got their games in, and considering the issues from last year, it’s a win. Even if the trend doesn’t continue, for one week there was a bit of normalcy.

This week, there are a pair of Thursday games, but it’s understandable considering the Labor Day holiday. Week 2 even gives us our first two local teams squaring off against each other. Here’s the breakdown of the action throughout the area. Bethel Christian is the lone team with an off week.

THURSDAY'S GAMES

Jones Senior (0-1) at South Lenoir (0-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Blue Devils fell to North Duplin 22-0, Trojans fell to Lejeune 62-0

Last matchup: South Lenoir 20-12 on Aug. 24, 2018

Both teams struggled on offense in shutout losses in Week 1 and want to improve to .500 after tonight’s game. The Trojans want to end a 23-game skid, but it’ll be a tough task in Deep Run. The Blue Devils held the Rebels scoreless in the second half last week and have defeated Jones Senior in the last two home matchups, including a 49-6 decision in 2017. SL is 8-7 all-time vs. Jones Senior in a series that dates back to 1969.

C.B. Aycock (1-0) at Greene Central (0-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Rams fell to South Central 29-28, Golden Falcons defeated Goldsboro Rosewood 41-26

Last matchup: Greene Central won 38-35 on Aug. 24, 2018

An annual matchup with another set of Falcons could bode well for the Rams. After a tough loss to South Central in Week 1, Greene Central’s home opener is against a team the Rams haven’t lost to since 2013. The Rams have scored at least 27 points in each of the five matchups, including 57 in a shutout win back in 2015. This marks the 56th consecutive year the teams have met; GC leads the all-time series 39-15-1.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Arendell Parrott Academy (0-1) at Bear Grass Charter (0-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Patriots fell to Rocky Mount Prep 22-21, Bears fell to South Creek 38-14

Last matchup: APA won 25-8 on Aug. 31, 2018

The Patriots are playing their third 11-man game in the past two seasons after being a strictly 8-man team for 29 years. APA may not have the offensive firepower in years past, but held a fourth-quarter lead last week against Rocky Mount Prep and will have a strong opportunity in Williamston against Bear Grass Charter.

Ayden-Grifton (1-0) at Pamlico County (0-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Chargers defeated Chocowinity Southside 20-0, Hurricanes fell to Princeton 44-16

Last matchup: Pamlico County 38-28 on Aug. 24, 2018

Ayden-Grifton is hoping to have another successful trip to Bayboro and also get revenge for Pamlico County’s win last year. The Hurricanes advanced to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A playoffs in 2018 and snapped a three-game skid to the Chargers, Ayden-Grifton hasn’t lost a game on the road to Pamlico since 2011.

North Pitt (0-1) at Kinston (1-0), 7 p.m.

Last week: Vikings defeated Farmville Central 40-14, Panthers fell to Washington 31-0

Last matchup: Kinston 26-6 on Aug. 24, 2018

North Pitt hung with another Eastern Carolina 2A team last week for a half, trailing 8-0 before the Pam Pack got rolling. Now, Kinston takes its shot at the Panthers after beating them in four straight matchups. North Pitt was competitive in its last matchup in Kinston, falling 19-12 after holding a 6-0 lead at halftime. Kinston has never lost to North Pitt in a 10-game series that dates back to 2003.

North Lenoir (1-0) at Farmville Central (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Hawks defeated East Columbus 20-6, Jaguars fell to Kinston 40-14

Last matchup: Farmville Central won 21-14 on Aug. 24, 2018

This may be the year narratives die out in North Lenoir’s favor. The Hawks are 1-0 for the first time since 2008 and although they’ve lost to the Jaguars six straight years and nine times in a row, the matchups last year and in 2016 were decided by a touchdown. Farmville Central allowed just 2.9 yards per carry against the Vikings last week. North Lenoir is 1-19 all-time against the Jaguars; the lone victory came in 2005.

 Neuse News Editor Bryan Hanks contributed to this report.