08/26/2026
The Game of The Week:
Northside-Jacksonville @ Jacksonville
"THE COMMONS VS THE PARK 2.0"
Analytics
If the weather holds; this Week 2 contest between Northside-Jacksonville and Jacksonville will surely be explosive on the offensive side; but it will be defense that determines the winner.
The last Northside win over Jacksonville was in 2019; where the Cardinals finished the season 7-4. Since then Jacksonville has largely scored over 40+ points in each contest against Northside-Jacksonville up to now.
We give the edge to the Cardinals; but a solid showing by Northside-Jacksonville will forecast 5A State titles hopes; while a loss by Jacksonville to Northside-Jacksonville would eliminate any 6A state championship hopes.
The Cardinal offense has amassed 350+ rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs in Week 1, while Northside's Week 1 opener versus White Oak was not played. The Cardinals are averaging 16 yards per carry, almost double the national average for Week 1. Their defense has 21 tackles for loss and 8 sacks.
But beyond Northside-Jacksonville, the Cardinals have to stay focused for an explosive Greenville Rose, as well as another solid New Bern squad, as these foes will be formidable in the regular season.
The Cardinals will need to improve and execute defensively to move forward in the postseason.
Northside, looking past Jacksonville, has to prepare for an improved Swansboro team, a talented Croatan squad, and conference favorite Havelock. The Monarchs will be eager to play this week after last week’s contest vs White Oak was canceled.
Last season, in the playoffs Northside played solid with impressive wins over Rocky Mount, Person, and St. Paul. St.Paul will be much improved this season, and Rocky Mount is reloading. Northside will have to improve on defense in order to get to the title game this season.
Vulnerable last season, the Monarchs gave up 39 points to Dixon, 28 points to West Carteret, 28 points to Croatan, and 48 points to Jacksonville. The Cards also stalled in the postseason last year against solid, defensive squads like Middle Creek and Union Pines.
The Monarchs offense will surely test the Cardinal defense; but it will be a tough challenge for Week 2 at Jacksonville. The Cardinals are too dimensional to contain offensively, but Northside is experienced and rested; making this an intriguing matchup. Jacksonville's defense if left on the field all night could be vulnerable.
Can Northside-Jacksonville keep up 4 quarters with the Cardinals? Will the Cardinal defense give up too many big plays? A healthy mix of run and pass will be key for Northside, and a few early 3 and outs by the Jacksonville defense is critical.
Coach Kendrick Po***ck of Northside has this year’s unit capable of an upset win and title aspirations, and Coach Beau Williams of Jacksonville has another studded roster that can win in the East finals this season.
Expect both programs to make serious noise in postseason. A great matchup, and some great football from two solid Onslow County programs.
Darius Mitchell, Statewide Lead Analyst
Coastal Plains Sports & Rankings ™️
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Top Tape🎞📽🎬
🏈Amari Pearson, (RB)
(2 TDs @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Dominic "DJ" Williams, ATH/CB 6'0, 182lbs. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jax
🏈Reginald "RG3" Gray (QB/ATH)
6'3, 193lbs.
North
🏈Saronn "Juice" Thompson (WR/ATH) 6'3, 185lbs.
Jax
🏈Gavyn Davis (WR) 5'7, 170lbs
North
🏈Sammie "Squirl Rogers, ATH
(6'2, 200lbs, 7 tackles at West Carteret )
Jax
🏈Jamian "Smokey" Johnson, ATH/WR
5'10, 185lbs
North
🏈Josiah Benton, ATH 6'2, 185lbs. (2 TDs @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Matthew Smoot (ATH), 6'1, 180lbs
North
🏈Josiah Jordan (RB) (100 yards rushing @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Evan Wanga, ATH 5'11, 180lbs.
North
🏈Montez Jimenez (RB) (13 yards per carry)
Jax
🏈Rahlai Anderson (RB) 6'0, 205lbs
North
🏈Judah Bloomfield, 6'5, 235lbs
Jax
🏈Jamir Mitchell, ATH 6'4, 190lbs
North
🏈Isiah Hilary, (QB) 6'2, 175lbs (1 passing TD @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Daniel Wisnewski, (ATH) 6'1, 210lbs.
North
🏈Demari June, 6'0, 300lbs.
Jacksonville
🏈Anoop Monroe, ATH, 5'9, 182lbs.
North
🏈Matt Lobo (6 tackles at West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Zion Jones (RB), 5'9, 188lbs.
North
🏈Kenneth Jones, 6'5, 240lbs,
Jax
🏈Justin Hardison, 6'6, 287lbs.
🏈Trey Booher, 6'2, 285lbs
Jax
🏈Mikhail White,
(1 rec. TD @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Kaleb Robinson, ATH, 5'10, 189lbs.
North
🏈Tanner Jones, 6'3, 280lbs.
Jax
🏈Keoni Terukina
(5 tackles @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Gabe Platek (1 INT @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Zack Patterson, LB
(2 tackles for loss @ West Carteret
Jax
🏈Kainoa Clement (Freshman), 6'1, 264lbs
North
🏈Micah Miller, (2 sacks @ West Carteret)
Jax
🏈Jackson Duke, ATH 5'10, 160lbs
North
🏈JuJu Hayes, 6'0, 168lbs
Jax
🏈Kaiden Bell, ATH 6'0, 160lbs
North
🏈Arlens Surin, (RB) 5'7, 150lbs
Jax
🏈Giovanni Luciano, 6'1, 227lbs
North
🏈Tae Burney, 6'7, 180lbs
Jax
⭐️(by national media sources)
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