Friday prep football

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 20, 2010 1:47 PM

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Are you ready for some football? Opening day is finally here.

All 11 teams in the News-Argus readership area kick off their respective 2010 campaigns this evening. Six teams are at home, while five will travel in various directions.

* Carolina 1-A Conference champion Goldsboro begins the year with a date at Wilmington New Hanover. Each team reached the N.C. High School Athletic Association regional championship in their respective classification a year ago.

* Charles B. Aycock, picked third in the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference poll, visits Northern Carolina 2-A member Bunn. The Golden Falcons forced five turnovers and claimed a come-from-behind, 39-38 victory during last year's three-hour affair in Pikeville.

* Eastern Wayne starts the season with a contest at Big East 3-A heavyweight Wilson Hunt. The visiting Warriors gained some confidence in a multiple-team scrimmage last week at Wilmington Ashley.

* Southern Wayne treks to Vanceboro for a meeting against Coastal 3-A powerhouse West Craven. The Saints are 2-3 in season-opening games against the Eagles.

* Rosewood entertains Wake Christian in a rematch of last year's season opener, while Spring Creek hopes to knock off South Lenoir in "The Swamp" at Seven Springs. The Eagles blocked a fourth-quarter PAT and escaped with a 13-12 victory last season. The Gators hope to present third-year head coach Aaron Sanders with his first-ever, season-opening win.

* North Duplin enters its home battle against Southside minus two returning starters, who are attending a family funeral. The Rebels are one of six teams who qualified for the postseason in 2009.

* Princeton welcomes perennial power Hobbton. The Dawgs won both meetings last season, including a second-round playoff game at home.

* Border rivals Greene Central and North Lenoir face good, opening-game tests. The Rams venture to Winterville for a contest against Coastal 3-A member South Central. The Hawks welcome perennial 2-A power East Duplin.

* Clinton invades Bill Taylor Field for a non-conference affair against Tri-County 1-A member James Kenan. The Tigers return seven starters off last year's team that finished 7-6 overall and got bumped in the second round of the NCHSAA 1-AA playoffs.

All games commence at 7:30 p.m.