Tarboro has the most consistent program across the classifications for the past couple of decades. They run a tried and true offense that rarely has any changes. You know what's coming when they take the field, but they are so fundamentally sound that, while you may stop them here and there, they will begin clicking and roll through the mistakes you make. A+ coaching staff. Student athletes who go out for the team know what will be expected and the tradition that they have to uphold. The only downside is that they lack competition. That's not a knock on Tarboro at all. It is what it is. The impressive part is that they take care of business every Friday, regardless of the level of competition (see VA/UNC game). Ever so often a Mt. Airy caliber team can outmatch a Tarboro tradition, and it's neat to see those games. But the next season comes, and Tarboro still pounds you with that same game plan. It's impressive, and in a day and age where coaches will change offenses or defenses year after year depending on the fad, I'm still in awe at the Tarboro T formation. So many things you can do with that setup, and they do them.....and have for so many, many years. I've spoken to many 1A coaches over the years who just wanted to play Tarboro in the playoffs. They've heard of them and know their history. It's not that they or their teams are bragging, they just want to play the school they always hear about--year after year after year. One thing left on my coaching conversation bucket list, for some reason I've never had a conversation with Coach Jeff Craddock.
And I've never seen a Tarboro game IN Tarboro. They've always been the visitors.