Southside’s Season of Growth Sets Up Rivalry Rematch with Pamlico County in the Playoffs

Southside’s Season of Growth Sets Up Rivalry Rematch with Pamlico County

By Trey Scott

CHOCOWINITY — For Southside, the 2025 football season has been a journey of progress, resilience, and rediscovery. Under first-year head coach Andrea Quinerly, the Seahawks (4–6, 3–2 Coastal Plains 1A/2A) overcame early challenges to claim third place in the conference and now prepare to open the NCHSAA 1A East playoffs with a familiar opponent — a home rematch against Pamlico County (2–8, 2–3) on Friday night.

Building a Foundation

It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Southside started the year 1–4, still adjusting to a new staff, new system, and a new identity. But even through growing pains, Quinerly saw signs of what was coming.

“I look at it as a huge improvement,” Quinerly said. “It took us a while to get going — new head coach, new offense, new staff — but overall it’s what we expected. It’s an improvement, and it’s kind of where we thought we’d be at this time.”

The Seahawks found their rhythm late in the year, finishing 3–2 in conference play — their best stretch since 2022’s 8–4 campaign. Quinerly praised his team’s perseverance through adversity.

“We overcame so many challenges and obstacles,” he said. “It just speaks on the courage and fight these kids have. We didn’t play one game with our entire starting lineup on offense and defense this year.”

Key Contributors on Both Sides of the Ball

Senior leadership and young depth have defined Southside’s late-season push. On offense, the Seahawks averaged nearly 200 rushing yards per game, powered by senior Javonn McCall, who posted 626 yards and three touchdowns on 84 carries. Senior Teddrick Minor added balance with 197 yards and two scores, while junior quarterback Ryan Lewis accounted for 220 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Through the air, senior receiver Isiah Knight led the team with 244 yards and two touchdowns, and junior Chance Haywood chipped in 131 yards. The balanced attack helped the Seahawks average 19 points per game while showing flashes of a ground-first offense capable of grinding down opponents.

Defensively, junior Caleb Lewis (49 tackles, 3 sacks) and sophomore Ke’Monee Brimage (43 tackles, 6 sacks) anchored a front seven that totaled 18 team sacks. Minor and McCall combined for 89 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, while Knight and junior Devonelle Brimage contributed key turnovers in the secondary.

A Familiar Rivalry Renewed

Friday’s matchup carries more than just playoff implications — it’s a rivalry renewed. Located just 30 minutes apart, Southside and Pamlico County know each other well. The Seahawks defeated the Hurricanes 44–24 on October 17, a breakout night led by McCall’s 300-yard rushing performance that turned heads across the Coastal Plains.

This time, the stakes are higher.

“That’s a rivalry game,” Quinerly said. “The kids know each other so well, and Pamlico’s going to come in with something to prove. We won the first game, but now it’s win or go home — it’s going to be a fight.”

Pamlico enters 2–8, led by senior running back Kamden Keyes (738 yards, 5 TDs) and senior quarterback Treyvon Munford (565 rushing yards, 6 TDs). Despite their struggles, the Hurricanes have historically played Southside close, holding an 11–12 record in the series. The two programs are also nearly even in playoff history — Southside is 16–16 all-time, Pamlico 10–13.

New Season, New Mindset

For Quinerly, the message to his team and staff is simple.

“We’re 0–0,” he said. “It’s a brand-new start. We have to play like we’re facing the number one team in the state. Every game from here on out is a playoff game — you lose, you’re done. So we’re preparing for a fight.”

It’s been a season of learning and resilience for Southside, and Friday night offers a chance to show just how far they’ve come. A win would not only avenge past playoff heartbreak but mark a significant step in the foundation Quinerly is building.

Kickoff between the Seahawks and Hurricanes is set for 7:00 p.m. Friday in Chocowinity.