The calendar has flipped to October, and the high school football season is racing by for our Johnston County squads.
For some, the road to conference titles and deeper postseason glory is wide open. Others, apparently, have made a wrong turn at Albuquerque.
Road maps in hand, let’s dive in to what will hopefully be a lucky Week 7.
Washington at North Johnston
Records: Washington 0-5, 0-1 Three Rivers 4A; North Johnston 3-3, 0-2
Last time out: The Pam Pack fell at home to West Craven, 36-6, while North Johnston lost at North Pitt, 40-24.
Massey Rating spread: Washington -6.5
Media Watch: NFHS ($)
Breakdown: My first reaction to the spread was amazement, but then I looked a little closer at the Pam Pack’s schedule. Their last three opponents, Northside-Pinetown, Croatan and West Craven, are a combined 17-1.
So, are they battle tested, or beat down? Hard to say for sure about an 0-5 team, but North Johnston isn’t exactly in top form, either. Three straight losses after a 3-0 start have uncovered some holes in a defense that has allowed 120 points in the last three games.
The good news is the Panthers can score, since they’ve put up 90 in that same time period. The path to victory, then, is by outscoring the Pam Pack in a shootout. It could happen, especially in front of a Homecoming crowd.
Prediction: North Johnston 36, Washington 30
South Johnston at Southern Lee
Records: South Johnston 2-3, 0-2 Carolina Pines 6A; Southern Lee 1-3, 1-0
Last time out: South Johnston lost a Monday night clash with Union Pines, 15-0, while Southern Lee and Triton’s game was suspended with Triton leading 21-17 in the third quarter. It’s scheduled to resume on Oct. 6.
Massey Rating spread: South Johnston -6.5
Media Watch: Hudl (?)
Breakdown: The Trojans have stumbled out of the gate in conference play, and as such, the window to wipe away last season’s playoff disappointment is closing. Southern Lee, however, might be just the opponent to get South back on track.
The Cavaliers’ lone win is against 2-3 Western Harnett and they were losing to a bad Triton squad before weather forced them off the field.
We’re still looking for a complete game from South Johnston, where the offense, defense and special teams all play well at the same time. This could be the spot where it happens.
Prediction: South Johnston 35, Southern Lee 14
Smithfield-Selma at Garner
Records: Smithfield-Selma 1-5, 0-2 Greater Neuse River 7A; Garner 4-1, 1-0
Last time out: The Spartans lost to Clayton, 43-7, on Thursday night while Garner enjoyed a bye week.
Massey Rating spread: Garner -42.5
Media Watch: NFHS ($)
Breakdown: Deron Donald faces his old team once again as his Trojans welcome SSS to Garner proper. Garner is looking very much like a team that wants to loosen Clayton and Cleveland’s grip on the top spots of this conference, and there’s nothing on paper here to suggest that this week won’t help that cause a little more.
Prediction: Garner 49, Smithfield-Selma 7
Triton at West Johnston
Records: Triton 1-3, 0-1 Carolina Pines 6A; West Johnston 1-4, 0-2
Last time out: Triton was leading Southern Lee, 21-17, in the third quarter before that game was suspended. West Johnston dropped a narrow 10-7 decision to Lee County.
Massey Rating spread: West Johnston -17.5
Media Watch: NFHS ($)
Breakdown: As we mentioned in the South Johnston section, Triton isn’t very good. And while West Johnston’s record suggests a similar verdict, the Wildcats are superior on paper to the Hawks.
The offense continues to sputter, having produced 39 points all season (two came on a safety). But Triton’s defense has been pretty charitable this season, allowing 138 points through four games and part of a fifth.
Again, this is a potential get right spot for a team that could use a victory.
Prediction: West Johnston 24, Triton 7
Wallace-Rose Hill at Princeton
Records: Wallace-Rose Hill 2-3, 1-0 Swine Valley 2A/3A; Princeton 3-2, 0-1
Last time out: Wallace-Rose Hill raced past Goldsboro, 65-6, while Princeton had a bye week.
Massey Rating spread: Wallace-Rose Hill -21.5
Media Watch: Curtis Media 102.3 FM and jocofootball.com and NFHS ($)
Breakdown: I know Princeton’s defense has been poor, but this spread seems wonky. The Bulldogs had a bye week to rest up, and the common opponent, East Duplin, beat Princeton in Beulaville by 22 and the Bulldogs by 21 in Teachey. Side note: it’s hilarious that a school named for two places isn’t in either of them.
Wallace-Rose Hill has had Princeton’s number in recent years, including a 48-14 thrashing back in 2022. I want to believe that the Bulldogs are about to circle the wagons and start a hot streak similar to the one that powered their postseason push last season. But I’m wondering if the bye week was enough to get the Bulldogs healthy enough to pull the upset.
Prediction: Wallace-Rose Hill 42, Princeton 36
Bunn at American Leadership Academy
Records: Bunn 3-2, 0-0 Quad County 2A/3A/4A; American Leadership Academy 4-2, 0-1
Last time out: Bunn won a 6-0, weather shortened game at lowly Beddingfield while ALA hammered Jordan-Matthews, 41-6.
Massey Rating spread: Bunn -20.5
Media Watch: None
Breakdown: I have to email the AD to be sure, but Homecoming at ALA is set for 4 p.m. — which sounds much more pleasant in October than it did in August.
The Patriots got back on track last week behind a solid defensive effort and another big day from Anthony Jimenez, who’s having quite the senior season (1,179 yards, 13 TD).
Bunn is quietly putting together a nice season, falling only to a couple of decent teams in Franklinton and East Wake. The Wildcats have already tripled their win total from last season, and they’ll be looking for more on Friday afternoon.
The Wildcats’ offense is potent, with quarterback Josiah Rice (918 yards, 13 TD), and will pose a challenge for an ALA defense that has run hot and cold at times this season.
Prediction: Bunn 35, American Leadership Academy 28
Clayton at Southeast Raleigh
Records: Clayton 5-1, 2-0 Greater Neuse River 7A; Southeast Raleigh 4-2, 1-1
Last time out: Clayton took down Smithfield-Selma, 43-7, on Thursday while Southeast Raleigh toppled Fuqay-Varina, 52-7.
Massey Rating spread: Clayton -.5
Media Watch: CRN and NFHS ($)
Breakdown: It’s tempting to look at Southeast Raleigh’s 4-2 record and shrug, but those losses are to Cardinal Gibbons and Garner — two very good football teams.
I’m not saying Clayton isn’t better on paper. It absolutely is. But the Bulldogs have bite, and if the Comets aren’t ready to play, they could run into trouble.
Of course, Clayton partisans would say that their team already had its wakeup call at Hoggard earlier this season. I’d agree with that, but it bears mentioning.
I like the vein of form Clayton is in right now, and it should be enough to get the job done here.
Prediction: Clayton 28, Southeast Raleigh 24
Fuquay-Varina at Cleveland
Records: Fuquay-Varina 3-3, 0-2 Greater Neuse River 7A; Cleveland 5-0, 1-0
Last time out: Fuquay-Varina fell to Southeast Raleigh, 52-7, while Cleveland got past South Garner, 42-28, on Friday afternoon.
Massey Rating spread: Cleveland -36.5
Media Watch: JOCORadio.com and NFHS ($)
Breakdown: Fuquay-Varina started off the 2025 campaign brightly, but the Bengals have faded as the conference slate has gotten underway, losing those two games by a tally of 108-17.
This is not the sort of form you want to bring to Polenta Road. It’s been more than six years since the Rams lost a regular-season game, and that streak isn’t in any danger this week.
Prediction: Cleveland 45, Fuquay-Varina 7
Wakefield at Corinth Holders
Records: Wakefield 0-5, 0-2 CAP 8A; Corinth Holders 2-3, 0-2
Last time out: Wakefield fell to Enloe, 40-14, while Corinth Holders lost at Broughton, 38-0
Massey Rating spread: Corinth Holders -27.5
Media Watch: Hudl
Breakdown: Corinth Holders has not enjoyed its start in the CAP 8A, losing a pair of games by a combined score of 91-0. But in what seems to be the theme for the week, a chance for redemption arrives for the Pirates in the form of a winless Wakefield squad.
The Wolverines have scored only 55 points all season, and haven’t played anyone within a margin of less than nine points. Corinth Holders hasn’t been great lately, but it’s been better than Wakefield.
Call this another get right spot for a Johnston County school.
Prediction: Corinth Holders 34, Wakefield 14