FINAL STANDINGS
JAMES KENAN 12-2
WALLACE ROSE HILL 9-4
KINSTON 9-5
EAST DUPLIN 6-6
NORTH LENOIR 4-7
SOUTHWEST ONSLOW 2-8
SOUTH LENOIR 0-10
LAST WEEK RESULTS
(1)Northeastern 46
(12)James Kenan 28
(2)Whiteville 48
(19)Kinston 21
MY PICKS
(Last Week 0-2) 48-15 Season
The 2024 East Central 2A CONFERENCE season has come to an end, as both James Kenan and Kinston was knocked out in the 4th round of the 2A playoffs. (1)Northeastern(14-0) jumped out on my Tigers early 13-0 but my Tigers fought back and took the lead 28-25 in the 3rd quarter before the Eagles took control, and scored the final 21 points of the game. The Tigers made too many mistakes to overcome, and their defense never found their footing. Great job by the Eagles taking advantage of every JK mistake. Good luck to the Eagles next week as they host the Eastern Championship game against (2)Whiteville, a team the Tigers beat 21-20 in overtime the 3rd week of the season.
Kinston, like JK, fell behind early in their match up against the Wolfpack(13-1), but never got back into the game, falling 48-21. The Vikings has nothing to hang their heads about, as they surpassed everyone's expectations this season. The Vikings finished 3rd in the ECC, something they hadn't done since the last realignment. And going on the road in upsetting three teams is something that the Vikings can build on moving forward. Good luck to (2)Whiteville next week in the Eastern Championship game.
This season in the ECC was by far the best season for the conference as a whole, every team lost a conference game, and we had five teams finish with a .500 record or better in conference play. With James Kenan and Wallace sharing the conference crown. Those five teams made the playoffs, with 4 of them advancing to the 2nd round. Wallace hosted a 3rd round playoff game against James Kenan, and lost in an epic battle in overtime by 1 point. Great showing by arguably the toughest 2A conference in the state. Great job to all of the ECC teams this season, y'all kept us fans on the edge of our seats all the way to the last whistle. Thank you!!!
THE FUTURE OF THE ECC
Where do we go from here, with the state moving from four classifications to eight. East Duplin, North Lenoir, and Southwest Onslow will be in the 4A classification, while James Kenan, Wallace Rose Hill, South Lenoir, and Kinston will be in 3A. Personally I would love for them to keep the ECC together, and add Clinton(4A) to the midst, and make it a split 3a/4a conference. And with the Dark Horses 🐎 only having a few seniors, it would be very interesting to say the least.
SOUTH LENOIR BLUE DEVILS 0-10 0-6
The Blue Devils failed to win a game this season, but their new coach will have an off season with his team, something that he didn't have this season. He'll be able to put together a staff, and I think the Blue Devils will find some success in 2025.
SOUTHWEST ONSLOW STALLIONS 2-8 1-5
I think for the Stallions, it's finding your identity on who you are, and go from there. The Stallions played competive in almost all their games, but couldn't finish. Look for the Stallions to get back to what made them the beast of the east for many years.
NORTH LENOIR HAWKS 4-7 3-3
The Hawks saw success in 24, making the playoffs and pulling off the upset of the season with their win over Wallace Rose Hill 18-15. That's something that the Hawks can build on moving forward in 2025.
EAST DUPLIN PANTHERS 6-6 3-3
It seems as if the Panthers couldn't shake off the injury bug all season. They were still competive, but not the powerhouse that we are used to. Their jv went undefeated, and won the conference title, so look for East Duplin to be back to the norm in 25. Hopefully they'll be in the ECC.
WALLACE ROSE HILL BULLDOGS 9-4 5-1
The Bulldogs just did Bulldogs things this season. Taking their bumps against bigger classification schools, and rising from the dead like the Undertaker after they were counted out after their slip up against North Lenoir. I look for the Bulldogs to reload and be ready for any and everyone not wearing black and orange. They only have a handful of seniors, so they will definitely contend for a championship in 25.
KINSTON VIKINGS 9-5 4-2
The Vikings had a very good season this year, defeating East Duplin, and playing James Kenan and Wallace to the wire. Then they won three road playoff games. Their jv was very competitive, and i think they will return some star power from their varsity. I think the Kinston community enjoyed this run by their football program, and will want to do it again. I believe they'll be a sleeper team in the 3a east to look out for in 25.
JAMES KENAN TIGERS 12-2 5-1
The Tigers 🐅 had a great season, picked to finish 5th in the ECC, my Tigers 🐅 proved everyone wrong. Like Wallace, the Tigers only had a handful of seniors, and will return their starting back field on offense. Will lose some amazing star power on defense, including two of the state leaders in tackles. Their jv was one score from having an undefeated season, only losing to East Duplin. They'll be looking to rebuild a offensive line that did a great job this season. Shout out to coach Grady on an amazing job that he did with that offensive line. Great job to all of JK coaching staff this season, they made it fun to be a Tiger 🐅 again. Thank you. I look for JK to be back in the hunt again next season.
I want to say thank you to all of you posters up here, I pray that you all have a great off season. And to the ones that's still playing, good luck. This has been a great season going back and forth with all of you. Hopefully we'll get to do this again. LET'S GOOOO TIGERS 🐅 😎
JAMES KENAN 12-2
WALLACE ROSE HILL 9-4
KINSTON 9-5
EAST DUPLIN 6-6
NORTH LENOIR 4-7
SOUTHWEST ONSLOW 2-8
SOUTH LENOIR 0-10
LAST WEEK RESULTS
(1)Northeastern 46
(12)James Kenan 28
(2)Whiteville 48
(19)Kinston 21
MY PICKS
(Last Week 0-2) 48-15 Season
The 2024 East Central 2A CONFERENCE season has come to an end, as both James Kenan and Kinston was knocked out in the 4th round of the 2A playoffs. (1)Northeastern(14-0) jumped out on my Tigers early 13-0 but my Tigers fought back and took the lead 28-25 in the 3rd quarter before the Eagles took control, and scored the final 21 points of the game. The Tigers made too many mistakes to overcome, and their defense never found their footing. Great job by the Eagles taking advantage of every JK mistake. Good luck to the Eagles next week as they host the Eastern Championship game against (2)Whiteville, a team the Tigers beat 21-20 in overtime the 3rd week of the season.
Kinston, like JK, fell behind early in their match up against the Wolfpack(13-1), but never got back into the game, falling 48-21. The Vikings has nothing to hang their heads about, as they surpassed everyone's expectations this season. The Vikings finished 3rd in the ECC, something they hadn't done since the last realignment. And going on the road in upsetting three teams is something that the Vikings can build on moving forward. Good luck to (2)Whiteville next week in the Eastern Championship game.
This season in the ECC was by far the best season for the conference as a whole, every team lost a conference game, and we had five teams finish with a .500 record or better in conference play. With James Kenan and Wallace sharing the conference crown. Those five teams made the playoffs, with 4 of them advancing to the 2nd round. Wallace hosted a 3rd round playoff game against James Kenan, and lost in an epic battle in overtime by 1 point. Great showing by arguably the toughest 2A conference in the state. Great job to all of the ECC teams this season, y'all kept us fans on the edge of our seats all the way to the last whistle. Thank you!!!
THE FUTURE OF THE ECC
Where do we go from here, with the state moving from four classifications to eight. East Duplin, North Lenoir, and Southwest Onslow will be in the 4A classification, while James Kenan, Wallace Rose Hill, South Lenoir, and Kinston will be in 3A. Personally I would love for them to keep the ECC together, and add Clinton(4A) to the midst, and make it a split 3a/4a conference. And with the Dark Horses 🐎 only having a few seniors, it would be very interesting to say the least.
SOUTH LENOIR BLUE DEVILS 0-10 0-6
The Blue Devils failed to win a game this season, but their new coach will have an off season with his team, something that he didn't have this season. He'll be able to put together a staff, and I think the Blue Devils will find some success in 2025.
SOUTHWEST ONSLOW STALLIONS 2-8 1-5
I think for the Stallions, it's finding your identity on who you are, and go from there. The Stallions played competive in almost all their games, but couldn't finish. Look for the Stallions to get back to what made them the beast of the east for many years.
NORTH LENOIR HAWKS 4-7 3-3
The Hawks saw success in 24, making the playoffs and pulling off the upset of the season with their win over Wallace Rose Hill 18-15. That's something that the Hawks can build on moving forward in 2025.
EAST DUPLIN PANTHERS 6-6 3-3
It seems as if the Panthers couldn't shake off the injury bug all season. They were still competive, but not the powerhouse that we are used to. Their jv went undefeated, and won the conference title, so look for East Duplin to be back to the norm in 25. Hopefully they'll be in the ECC.
WALLACE ROSE HILL BULLDOGS 9-4 5-1
The Bulldogs just did Bulldogs things this season. Taking their bumps against bigger classification schools, and rising from the dead like the Undertaker after they were counted out after their slip up against North Lenoir. I look for the Bulldogs to reload and be ready for any and everyone not wearing black and orange. They only have a handful of seniors, so they will definitely contend for a championship in 25.
KINSTON VIKINGS 9-5 4-2
The Vikings had a very good season this year, defeating East Duplin, and playing James Kenan and Wallace to the wire. Then they won three road playoff games. Their jv was very competitive, and i think they will return some star power from their varsity. I think the Kinston community enjoyed this run by their football program, and will want to do it again. I believe they'll be a sleeper team in the 3a east to look out for in 25.
JAMES KENAN TIGERS 12-2 5-1
The Tigers 🐅 had a great season, picked to finish 5th in the ECC, my Tigers 🐅 proved everyone wrong. Like Wallace, the Tigers only had a handful of seniors, and will return their starting back field on offense. Will lose some amazing star power on defense, including two of the state leaders in tackles. Their jv was one score from having an undefeated season, only losing to East Duplin. They'll be looking to rebuild a offensive line that did a great job this season. Shout out to coach Grady on an amazing job that he did with that offensive line. Great job to all of JK coaching staff this season, they made it fun to be a Tiger 🐅 again. Thank you. I look for JK to be back in the hunt again next season.
I want to say thank you to all of you posters up here, I pray that you all have a great off season. And to the ones that's still playing, good luck. This has been a great season going back and forth with all of you. Hopefully we'll get to do this again. LET'S GOOOO TIGERS 🐅 😎
