<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eastern-wayne-2-1-at-north-johnston-3-1-conference-showdown">Eastern Wayne (2–1) at North Johnston (3–1) — Conference Showdown</h3>



Kickoff: Thursday, Sept. 19 • 7:00 p.m. • Kenly



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-series-amp-backdrop">Series & backdrop</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Head-to-head: Goldsboro’s neighbor Eastern Wayne owns the all-time series 4–0 vs. North Johnston, winning every matchup since 2021 (47–6, 34–8, 12–0, 22–6).</li>



<li>Star power: This game has two senior quarterbacks who define their programs:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Izeiah Oates (Eastern Wayne) — four-year starter, 589 pass yds, 7 TD, 196 rush yds, 4 TD this fall.</li>



<li>Kaleb Pone (North Johnston) — Mr. Everything in Kenly, 465 rush yds (11.3/carry, 8 TD), 355 pass yds, 5 TD in just three games.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



It’s the first true conference measuring stick for both squads — one team wants to keep its dominance, the other wants to break through.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tale-of-the-tape">Tale of the tape</h2>



North Johnston (3–1)



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Offense: A ground-heavy attack (271 rush yds/gm, 8.0 per carry). Pone and Barnes rotate at QB/RB; Eli Williardis the goal-line hammer (5 total TD).</li>



<li>Weapons: Tyrece Hicks (KR/PR 144+ yds), Aamari Dunston (80 rec yds, TD), Caden Bailey (43-yd TD).</li>



<li>Defense: 207 tkls, 37 TFL, 5 sacks in 4 GP. Williard anchors with 16 TFL/3 sacks, Jacob Leonard adds 23 tkls, 4 TFL.</li>



<li>Concerns: 11 turnovers already (7 fumbles, 4 INT).</li>
</ul>



Eastern Wayne (2–1)



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Offense: Balanced at 196 pass / 207 rush yds per game. Oates can win with arm or legs. Tykel Battle (213 yds, 3 TD) and Cincere Battle (95 yds, TD) give him help.</li>



<li>Weapons: Levi Evans (6’7, 177 yds, TD), Jeremiah Faison (142 yds, 2 TD), Charlie Thomas (73 yds, 2 TD) — size and speed on the perimeter.</li>



<li>Defense: 133 tkls, 24 TFL, 5 sacks in 3 GP. Front led by Caleb Jordan (22 tkls, 7 TFL, 2 sacks) and Kenney (16 tkls, 4 TFL, 2 sacks).</li>



<li>Special Teams: Evans owns a kick return TD, Louis has 140 KR yds. PAT consistency still a question (2/6).</li>
</ul>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RPI Check</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Eastern Wayne: Ranked 16th statewide in 4A, sitting 7th in the East Region. A win on the road could push them toward the top 5 in the east.</li>



<li>North Johnston: Ranked 23rd statewide in 4A, currently 10th in the East Region. They’re just outside the top tier, and knocking off Eastern Wayne would vault them into the mix with East Duplin, West Craven, and others.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keys-to-the-game">Keys to the game</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>QB duel: Pone vs. Oates is the headline. Both average over 260 total yds/gm, both account for double-digit TDs already. Whoever controls turnovers wins.</li>



<li>Explosives: EW has the 6’7 mismatch in Evans; NJ has the home-run runner in Pone. If either scores twice from 40+, momentum flips.</li>



<li>Hidden yards: Hicks (NJ) and Evans (EW) are dangerous returners. Field position in a one-score conference game matters.</li>
</ol>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prediction">Prediction</h2>



Eastern Wayne’s been the bully in this series (4–0 since 2021), and Oates’ senior leadership on the road is a huge edge. But North Johnston has the best pure runner in the county in Pone, and Williard gives them teeth up front on both sides.



Pick: Eastern Wayne 35, North Johnston 32 Oates makes just enough throws to Evans/Faison late, but expect Pone to keep it close into the final minutes.

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Game Preview: Eastern Wayne (2–1) at North Johnston (3–1)

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