Friday high school sports

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on October 13, 2005 2:01 PM

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Greene Central (3-4, 1-0) at Goldsboro (2-5, 1-0)

Both teams came away with home wins in their Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference openers, but in drastically different fashions. Goldsboro played solid defense and special teams in a 13-6 victory over Tarboro, while the Rams posted their best offensive performance in beating North Pitt 45-0. The Cougar defense must look to contain Greene Central's evolving, balanced offense and quarterback Cameron Shelton.

North Johnston (7-0, 1-0) at Rosewood (1-5, 0-1)

The start to the Carolina 1-A Conference schedule couldn't be any tougher on Rosewood. Four days after falling at defending league champion and state-ranked Ayden-Grifton, the Eagles now take on a red-hot and unbeaten North Johnston squad. Rosewood stood tough against the Chargers and owned a slight 287-283 edge in total yards of offense. The Eagles won a thriller against the Panthers in Kenly last year.

Wilson Beddingfield (7-0, 1-0) at Southern Wayne (5-2, 1-0)

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne has played a tough schedule so far, but the Saints may be up against their toughest test yet against Wilson Beddingfield. The state-ranked Bruins come in unbeaten, while Southern Wayne is riding a streak of its own with four straight wins. The Saints are now 4-0 at home this season.

Ayden-Grifton (6-1, 1-0) at Spring Creek (4-3, 1-0)

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek is one of four teams in the News-Argus coverage area with an unblemished record at home in 2005. This week, the improving Gators look to contain one of the Carolina Conference's toughest teams -- state-ranked Ayden-Grifton -- at "The Swamp." The Chargers are yielding less than 12 points per game, so Spring Creek's offense will face a big challenge.

Wilson Hunt (6-1, 1-0) at Eastern Wayne (4-2-1, 0-1)

Two of the stingiest defenses in the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference are going head-to-head. Wilson Hunt is yielding just 10 points per game, while Eastern Wayne is giving up an average of 15. Hunt is one of the few teams in eastern North Carolina that didn't face a short week since it defeated Kinston 21-3 last Thursday. The home team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Southern Wayne where it was out-gained by over 150 yards.

Princeton (0-7, 0-1) at North Duplin (1-5, 0-1)

CALYPSO -- Both Princeton and North Duplin played solid first halves in their respective Carolina Conference openers on Monday, but eventually saw their opposition bounce back to pull away in the second half. The Bulldogs fell at home to Spring Creek, while the Rebels were defeated by North Johnston. Expect each team to battle until the final horn this week as the winner will even its league mark.

James Kenan (5-2, 1-0) at Midway (3-3, 0-1)

SPIVEY'S CORNER -- James Kenan has been nothing but impressive during its five-game winning streak. In Monday's victory at home over Lakewood, the Tigers out-gained the Leopards by nearly 300 yards in a 20-7 win. Kenan's balance was key on Monday as seven different rushers had at least 20 yards as the Tigers posted 328 yards rushing on 52 carries. The Raiders are coming off a 33-28 loss to Union.

North Lenoir (2-5, 1-0) at Tarboro (2-5, 0-1)

TARBORO -- The defending Eastern Plains 2-A Conference champ, Tarboro, looked extremely vulnerable in its 13-6 loss at Goldsboro on Monday. North Lenoir showed poise in defeating perennially tough Farmville Central at home. The Hawks will have to show more of the same passion on the road on Friday and will be looking to avenge a tough loss to the Vikings last season. Tarboro will again be without standout running back Shaun Draughn.