Hertford Bears on a 6-game tear in 2nd round of playoffs

By Jeff Zeigler

Five local football teams survived the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association playoffs last week, including Hertford County, a team that has recovered from consecutive losses in September.

The Bears have rallied to win six straight, including last week's 57-13 scorching of Eastern Wayne in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

Today, Hertford County will face a tougher opponent - Eastern Alamance at home at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles (11-1) beat Gray's Creek 26-7 in the first round. The team has been ranked as high as third in The Associated Press' 3A poll.

In September, Hertford County (10-2) lost two straight games - 42-14 to Rocky Mount and 39-33 to Northeastern - after having won four straight to open the season.

Hertford County head coach Diego Hasty, in his second year in Ahoskie after coaching 30 years at Weldon, Northampton East and Northampton West, said the loss of Michael Stephenson in a win over Northern Nash hurt the Bears in the two losses. Stephenson hurt his knee and is out for the season.

"He did everything for us. He played both ways as a punt returner, kick returner, slot man, running back and safety. He was a threat," Hasty said. "He returned six kickoffs for touchdowns last year. We had to go back and rearrange."

The Bears finished off the regular season with five wins in a row but had to beat Bertie County the last week of the season to get the No. 4 seed in the east.

Hasty said Eastern Alamance will be a tough opponent.

"We've got to play well up front on the offensive and defensive line and can't let them strike and get quick, easy scores. Of course the big thing everybody worries about are turnovers," Hasty said.

If Hertford County wins, it likely will get another shot at Rocky Mount in the next round.

According to the NCHSAA, in other second-round action, Camden County will host a 1AA game against Ayden-Grifton. The Bruins beat Dixon 28-19 to reach the second round.

Manteo will host a 1A second-round game against Jones County. The Redskins romped over Jamesville 48-0 in the first round.

Perquimans County will play at Creswell in a 1A second round game. The Pirates knocked off higher-seeded Roanoke 51-0 in round one.

Northeastern will host Clinton in a second round 2A game. The Eagles knocked off Greene Central 42-26 in the first round.