North Lenoir’s Filipo Sualevai prepares to hand the ball off during the Hawks’ 14-13 win over Southern Wayne last week. Photo by T.J. Edwards / Mount Olive Tribune

By Junious Smith III

It’s almost time for EC2A football.

This is the last week of nonconference play for the teams, and many of the teams will be foaming at the mouth for opportunities to finish the slate strong. Here are the Week 5 matchups slated for Friday.

Kinston (2-2) at Southern Wayne (1-3), 7 p.m.

Last week: Vikings fell to Jacksonville 14-7 Sept. 13, Saints fell to North Lenoir 14-13 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Kinston won 36-0 Sept. 15, 2017

The Vikings are looking to rebound after their first two-game losing streak since 2017. The biggest question for Kinston is how effective quarterback Demetri Holmes will be due to injury, but the Vikings have had plenty of success over the Saints throughout the years. Southern Wayne is looking to rebound after falling in a heartbreaker to North Lenoir.

North Lenoir (4-0) at Eastern Wayne (0-4), 7 p.m.

Last week: Hawks defeated Southern Wayne 14-13 Sept. 13, Warriors fell to Greene Central 8-6 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Eastern Wayne won 14-6 Aug. 19, 2016

The Hawks defeated East Carteret 47-0 Tuesday to improve to 4-0 for the third time in school history and first since 1980. North Lenoir has never started a season 5-0, and the senior class were freshmen the last time these teams played, so payback could come to fruition. The Warriors have lost two games by three points or fewer.

Spring Creek (1-3) at South Lenoir (1-2), 7 p.m.

Last week: Blue Devils fell to Princeton 48-15 Sept. 13, Gators fell to Hobbton 56-27 Sept. 13

Last matchup: South Lenoir won 52-0 Nov. 1, 2018

The Blue Devils will have a prime opportunity to go .500 after four games for the first time since 2016 against the Gators. South Lenoir handled Spring Creek without issue last year and started to figure out a couple things against Princeton last week. The Gators did score 27 last week, their highest total since posting 45 against Lejeune last year.

Arendell Parrott (2-2) at John Paul II (1-2), 7 p.m.

Last week: Patriots defeated Cary Christian 14-13 Sept. 9 and St. David’s 54-40 Sept. 13, Saints fell to Cary Christian 28-22 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Never

APA is riding high after a great week and is facing a team in its first year of varsity football. The Patriots are the state’s top 8-man team according to Maxpreps, but John Paul II can’t be counted out. The Saints lost a close one to Cary Christian and did blow out Wilson Community Christian 68-8 Aug. 29.

Bethel Christian (3-0) at Wayne Christian-Goldsboro HomeSchool (2-1-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Trojans defeated Northeast-Hobgood Academy 60-22 Sept. 13, Eagles defeated Wilson Community Christian 66-8 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Bethel Christian won 36-6 Sept. 29, 2017

The No. 2 team in 8-man football according to Maxpreps has started the season on fire, outscoring opponents 196-22. The Trojans will go on the road for the first time in 2019 to face a Wayne Christian-Goldsboro HomeSchool team averaging 57.3 points in its last three games after netting six in the season opener.

Farmville Central (0-4) at Greene Central (1-2), 7 p.m.

Last week: Rams defeated Eastern Wayne 8-6 Sept. 13, Jaguars fell to Ayden-Grifton 40-12 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Greene Central won 20-16 Oct. 2, 2018

If current history continues, expect this game to be close. The past three matches have been decided by seven points or fewer with the Rams winning the last game. As Greene Central hopes to continue its tenacious defensive effort from last year, Farmville Central hopes to get a win after falling to three other EC2A teams in Kinston, North Lenoir and Ayden-Grifton.

North Pitt (0-3) at Ayden-Grifton (3-0), 7 p.m.

Last week: Chargers defeated Farmville Central 40-12 Sept. 13, Panthers fell to South Central 44-30 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Ayden-Grifton won 35-7 Sept. 28, 2018

The Chargers are one of two unbeaten teams in the Eastern Carolina Conference and their defense has allowed just 20 points in its three wins. The Panthers are now facing their third EC2A opponent, having already lost to Washington and Kinston.

Jones Senior (0-3) at Rosewood (3-1), 7 p.m.

Last week: Trojans fell to Union 58-6 Sept. 13, Eagles defeated Pender 53-0 Sept. 13

Last matchup: Rosewood won 48-17 Nov. 9, 2012

The Trojans are taking slow strides to progression, picking up their first points of the season last week. Meanwhile, Jones Senior is running into a buzzsaw as Rosewood has outscored its previous two opponents 115-6.