East Duplin, Jacksonville and Northside are in the driver’s seat to win conference titles entering Friday’s week nine of area high school football action.

That said, the Panthers, Cardinals and Monarchs need to be careful not to overlook their opponents Friday as they present challenges to their conference title aspirations.

The game of the week is the Dixon at Northside clash, while Jacksonville visits South Central and East Duplin travels to Clinton.

Overall, Friday’s local schedule features eight games involving nine teams as Croatan and Liberty Christian have open dates.

Who wins Friday’s week nine games? Here are my thoughts and predictions: 

Dixon (5-2, 1-2) at Northside (6-1, 3-0)

Northside got a scare last week, falling behind 14-0 to West Carteret and finding itself in a 28-28 game before pulling away for a 42-28 victory.

Look for the Monarchs to be wary of Coastal 5-A/6-A Conference foe Dixon, which hopes to rebound from last week’s 29-28 loss to Havelock.

Believe it or not, but the Bulldogs’ 28 points last week was the fewest Dixon scored this season as an interception and a lost fumble came back to bite the team.

The Monarchs have allowed 28 points in their last two outings, which means this has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.

Northside has thrown the ball well this season, but continues to also flex its muscles with a solid running game.

I look for the Monarchs to once again be well-balanced offensively and make several big plays, although I see the Bulldogs moving the ball at times. Dixon can make things interesting by taking an early lead, which is possible if the Bulldogs get the ball first.

Prediction: Northside 42, Dixon 21 

Jacksonville (6-0, 2-0) at South Central (3-4, 0-2)

Jacksonville coach Beau Williams and several players stressed following last week’s 35-21 win over J.H. Rose that they would not look past South Central, which has lost four straight.

In fact, running back Amari Pearson anticipated this week’s practice being more difficult, given the Cardinals will be heavy favorites against the Falcons.

On paper, Jacksonville should take early control and win this Big Carolina 6-A/7-A Conference game comfortably. The Cardinals have lately established early leads and then extended them by forcing turnovers, and I would not be surprised if Jacksonville followed that same recipe.

However, it will be interesting to see how inspired the Cardinals play against an inferior foe, especially with a home game with D.H. Conley (5-2, 2-0) waiting next week.

I look for a workmanlike effort from Jacksonville, although I can see the Falcons putting up resistance early before the Cardinals start to control things in the second quarter.

Prediction: Jacksonville 34, South Central 14 

East Duplin (5-2, 2-0) at Clinton (3-4, 1-1)

I give East Duplin the edge in this East Central 3-A/4-A Conference clash, although it won’t be a cake walk as Clinton has three defeats by six points or less, including a 50-45 loss to undefeated Pender.

The Panthers visit Pender (7-0, 2-0) next week, although I do not see East Duplin looking past Clinton, given the history between the two teams.

The Panthers will be too strong for the Dark Horses as East Duplin moves the ball via the run with success and slows down Clinton’s passing game.

Prediction: East Duplin 31, Clinton 14 

White Oak (4-3, 0-2) at J.H. Rose (3-4, 1-1)

White Oak never quits, despite falling behind in the first half, as the Vikings have valiantly worked to get back in games, including in last week’s 46-20 loss to New Bern.

Big Carolina Conference foe J.H. Rose now awaits White Oak, which looks to end a two-game skid. I see this game being similar to other games this season for the Vikings.

I expect J.H. Rose to establish a multiple-score lead in the second quarter and White Oak to show resolve in trying to make a comeback.

In the end, the Rampants will be too strong in this one, but the Vikings will fight until the end.

Prediction: J.H. Rose 35, White Oak 14 

Richlands (1-6, 0-3) at West Carteret (4-3, 2-2)

Richlands enters its Coastal Conference game at West Carteret having scored single digits in four of its last five games.

The Wildcats, however, have a chance to end that streak against the Patriots, who have allowed 35, 51, 25, 51 and 42 in their last five outings.

West Carteret is still favored as the Patriots showed just how dangerous they are by holding their own against Northside last week.

If the Wildcats can generate an early score, they can make things interesting, but the Patriots’ passing game may be too strong.

Prediction: West Carteret 34, Richlands 17 

Havelock (3-5, 3-1) at Swansboro (2-5, 0-3)

Swansboro is catching Coastal Conference foe Havelock at a bad time as the young Rams have won two straight games following a tough start.

The Pirates were open last week following a 46-30 defeat to Dixon. I see Swansboro holding its own early, but I expect Havelock to garner momentum by the second half and start to pull away.

Prediction: Havelock 42, Swansboro 21 

Southwest (0-6, 0-2) at Trask (3-4, 1-1)

Southwest visits East Central Conference foe Trask, which has thrown just 14 passes, meaning this could be a quick game.

The Stallions allowed 53 and 50 points in their last two games against the ECC’s top two teams. But because Southwest has already seen the league’s best, I am going on a whim and picking the Stallions to get their first win.

Prediction: Southwest 20, Trask 14 

Jones Senior (0-7, 0-2) at Lejeune (0-7, 0-2)

Fittingly, Lejeune and Jones Senior enter their Coastal Plains 1-A/2-A Conference game both having scored 26 points, although the Devilpups have allowed 286 to the Trojans’ 322.

The two winless squads share one common opponent in South Lenoir, which topped Lejeune 28-14 and defeated Jones Senior 46-6.

Neither team has found much offensive success, but I give Lejeune the slight edge as I think sophomore Grady Mahaffey will be a difference at quarterback and on defense.

Prediction: Lejeune 22, Jones Senior 14