New Bern (4-1) at Jacksonville (3-1)

Since rushing for 948 yards as a freshman, New Bern’s Karvin “Duke” Magwood faced plenty of expectations. The senior is living up to those expectations this football season. 

Last Friday, Magwood rushed for school-record eight touchdowns and 329 yards against Hertford County.

Magwood has a total of 1,053 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, which leads the Big Carolina 6A/7A Conference.

Through five games, Magwood is halfway to his preseason goal of 2,000 yards. Several scoffed, doubting such a big number was possible.

“Coach (Terrance) Saxby told me to be delusional, to have delusional confidence, to truly believe I can reach my goals and be the best player on the field,” Magwood said.

Magwood knows there will be a target on his back Friday in Jacksonville when the teams open conference season.

“I enjoy knowing team’s game plan for me,” he said. “Even if they put 11 in the box, I feel I can get through. The five men up front are the heart of this team, Jonathan Sreng, Ethan Smith, Kamarion Cox, Ben Sean and Marquan Blount. They are why I set the school record last week. It’s not my record, it’s our record. I can’t do it by myself.”

Missing from Magwood’s resume is a win over Jacksonville.

“I’m 0-3 against the Cardinals,” he said. “I will put all my blood, sweat and tears this week into getting a win.”

Magwood sees a difference in the Bears this year from last year at this time.

“This team is mentally strong, hyper focused,” he said. “We celebrate one another and we believe.”

Despite a loss to city rival Northside-Jacksonville, the Cardinals are solid with a run game that can break the big play when least expected.

“We need to play assignment football and be disciplined on defense or they will make you pay,” Saxby said. “We are looking to this as a conference championship game against a team we haven’t beaten lately. Plus, it’s our next game and that’s always the biggest game.”

Prediction: New Bern 28, Jacksonville 21

Havelock (2-4, 1-1) at West Carteret (2-3, 1-1)

Havelock visits West Carteret with both teams 1-1 in Coastal Conference play.

The Rams are coming off a home loss to Croatan while the Patriots are on the rebound following a 55-0 loss to Swansboro.

West Carteret’s offense has been blanked twice this year, opening the season losing 49-0 to Jacksonville.

Havelock features the run game of Michael Gatling with 105 rush yards per game and 13 touchdowns. Gatling had four touchdowns against Croatan, including an 81-yard kickoff return.

Sophomore quarterback Kaleb Montanye continues to improve. He throws for 116 yards per game while his completion rate is 53% with nine touchdown passes.

On defense, linebacker Andrew Williams continues to dominate with 16.3 tackles per game.

Havelock coach Brent Wooten has several keys to a Ram win.

“We need to start fast and build off that momentum,” he said. “We need to focus on getting off the field on third down and we need to limit turnovers. We had four against Croatan.”

Prediction: Havelock 35, West Carteret 14

Pamlico (1-4, 0-0) at Jones Senior (0-5, 0-0)

Pamlico visits Jones Senior in a Coastal Plains Conference opener.

The Hurricanes have struggled since a season-opening win at KIPP Pride. Junior running back Jacob Bennett continues to be Pamlico’s top weapon with 133.7 rush yards per game with four touchdowns.

The Trojans made changes last week and were able to stay with Triangle Math & Science Academy before losing 22-8.

“Nice to be playing our conference opener at home, but we really need to focus and be ready to give it our all,” Jones coach coach Stephen Perry said.

Prediction: Pamlico 21, Jones Senior 6