Mother Nature certainly wreaked havoc on the first week of the area high school football season as inclement weather completely cancelled two games, moved one game up a day, push three to Saturday and two to Monday.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Friday’s local week two schedule won’t be affected by poor weather because we got quite an Onslow County clash between Northside and Jacksonville.

But while the meeting between the Monarchs and Cardinals highlight this week’s action, the area’s other nine teams also hit the field.

Here are my thoughts and predictions for Friday’s week 2 games: 

Northside (0-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)

Does Jacksonville have an edge after having played a game while Northside’s contest at White Oak was cancelled?

On paper, this is a toss-up game between city rivals as the Monarchs and Cardinals are the area’s two most athletic squads.

Jacksonville has won six consecutive games in this series, including 64-0 in 2024 and 48-27 last year. Northside’s last win over the Cardinals was a 40-14 triumph in 2019.

Jacksonville officially leads the series 13-11, including a forfeit win in 2015 in a game where the Monarchs won 21-7 on the field.

The emotions ran high in last year’s game, and expect even more this season as Northside looks to snap its skid against Jacksonville. Look for this to be a back-and-forth affair with plenty of big plays.

The game may come down to which team has the final possession.

Prediction: Northside 34, Jacksonville 28 

White Oak (0-0) at Richlands (1-0)

(Thursday)

White Oak has won the last three games with Richlands, including 34-21 last year. The Vikings lead the all-time series 18-6.

White Oak’s game with Northside was cancelled while Richlands rallied for a 15-14 win over Southwest on Monday. Normally a team having a game under its belt comes in handy, but it may not be an advantage for the Wildcats, given their game was Monday.

Still, look for Richlands to play inspired following another emotional win over Southwest.

The Richlands-White Oak games have typically been competitive, and look for the same in this one. Look for this to be close with perhaps an extra point being a difference.

Prediction: Richlands 21, White Oak 20

North Raleigh Christian (1-0) at Southwest (0-1)

Southwest managed to secure a full 10-game schedule by picking up North Raleigh Christian.

The NCISAA Knights have been at or near .500 the last three seasons, but are coming off a 33-13 win over Wake Prep. Eli Johnston completed eight of 12 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns in that game.

While we don’t know too much more about the Knights, expect the Stallions to come out want to put Monday’s defeat at Richlands quickly behind them.

Southwest has not won a home opener since a 48-26 victory over East Carteret in the 2021 spring season.

Prediction: Southwest 27, North Raleigh Christian 20

Beddingfield (0-1) at Dixon (0-1)

Dixon didn’t get the result it wanted last Thursday as the Bulldogs dropped their opener 20-8 at Topsail.

Look for the Bulldogs to take out their frustrations against Beddingfield, which lost 40-0 to North Johnston on Thursday. Dixon topped Beddingfield 57-6 last year.

While I don’t expect a 51-point game this time, I see the Bulldogs finding needed offensive success that should allow them to pull away by the third quarter.

Prediction: Dixon 30, Beddingfield 16 

East Duplin (1-0) at Princeton (1-0)

East Duplin didn’t have too much time to celebrate Saturday’s 16-14 win over Wallace-Rose Hill as the Panthers had to quickly turn their focus on competitive Princeton.

Teo McPhatter rushed for 298 yards and four touchdowns for Princeton in Thursday’s 34-9 victory over Ayden-Grifton. I expect another strong defensive showing this week for the Panthers after they held Wallace-Rose Hill to just 43 yards of total offense in the first half.

Look for East Duplin to sustain enough drives to emerge victorious.

Prediction: East Duplin 21, Princeton 13 

Swansboro (1-0) at Pamlico (1-0)

Swansboro plays its second game this week as the Pirates visit Pamlico. Swansboro is coming off a last-second 23-18 win at South Columbus on Monday.

The Hurricanes, who went 2-10 last year, perhaps enter with confidence following a 34-26 win at Kipp Pride, which beat Pamlico 72-7 last year.

This is the first Swansboro-Pamlico meeting since the Pirates downed the Hurricanes 47-0 in 2016. Pamlico’s last win was in 2015. The Hurricanes lead the series 21-10-1.

Prediction: Swansboro 38, Pamlico 16 

Croatan (1-0) at Topsail (1-0)

Croatan’s game at Topsail may be one of the most competitive games in the East as both the Cougars and Pirates are coming off wins.

Croatan expectedly took care of business in a 50-0 win over East Carteret on Saturday while Topsail snapped a 14-game skid with a 20-8 victory over Dixon on Thursday.

Special teams may decide this game.

The Cougars lead the series 10-9, including last year’s 49-7 victory.

Prediction: Croatan 27, Topsail 17 

Lejeune (0-0) at Lakewood (0-1)

Lejeune’s opener last week against American Leadership Academy was cancelled, meaning the Devilpups will play their first game Friday at Lakewood, which lost 35-19 to Clinton on Thursday.

Lejeune fell 40-0 to Lakewood last year.

Prediction: Lakewood 33, Lejeune 12 

Community Christian (0-0) at Liberty Christian (1-0)

Liberty Christian Academy plays its home opener against Community Christian, which hosts Wake Christian on Monday.

The Heat and Cyclones split their two games last year with Community winning 38-20 in the first game and Liberty winning 35-22 in the rematch. Liberty had an open date last week following a 26-14 win at Father Capodanno on Aug. 14.

Prediction: Liberty Christian 30, Community Christian 20