Croatan, Dixon, East Duplin and Jacksonville.

These are the four area schools who enter week 3 of high school football action sitting at 2-0. The Cougars, Bulldogs and Panthers have a chance to make it 3-0 on Friday night while the Cardinals will have to wait a week because they have an open date this week.

Is it a surprise these teams are 2-0?

On paper, the starts for Croatan and Jacksonville shouldn’t shock fans. East Duplin’s 2-0 start is perhaps a surprise, given the Panthers opened with Wallace-Rose Hill. Dixon is likely the biggest surprise.

Will these teams keep the momentum going Friday? Can other teams prove themselves?

Here are my predictions for Friday’s area week three games: 

East Duplin (2-0) at Richlands (1-1)

Richlands’ 19-0 victory over East Duplin last year was the Wildcats’ first win over the Panthers since a 23-20 triumph in 2007, snapping a 14-game skid in the series.

East Duplin, however, comes in with momentum, following a 21-0 season-opening win at Wallace-Rose Hill and last week’s 42-20 victory over a competitive Princeton squad.

Aaron Hall and Shawn Davis have been a solid 1-2 rushing combination for the Panthers. Hall has rushed for 181 yards on 24 carries and Davis has 160 yards on 25 carries. East Duplin has also forced six turnovers.

Richlands, meanwhile, was outscored 12-0 in the fourth quarter in last week’s 34-21 defeat to White Oak.

I give East Duplin the nod in this one as the Panthers have already proven themselves to be a formidable foe with wins against tough teams. Running the ball won’t be easy against the Wildcats’ defense, but I expect more of the Davis-Hall duo. The Panthers do not mind being patient on offense.

I see East Duplin leading by two scores at halftime before holding Richlands back in the second half.

Prediction: East Duplin 28, Richlands 13 

Swansboro (1-1) at White Oak (1-1)

White Oak showed a little something by overcoming an early deficit and pulling away for a 34-21 win over Richlands last week, a result that followed a tough loss to Northside.

On the other side, Swansboro’s 41-14 win over Pamlico last week snapped a 22-game skid. The Pirates look to have a chance against White Oak with Kevin Till, who has thrown for 488 yards and five scores in the first two games. Carmello Beasley and Nolan Armstrong has emerged as big-play receivers.

However, I look for the White Oak duo of quarterback Josh Smith and Montez Jimenez to be too strong. I see some points being scored, but with the Vikings pulling away in the fourth quarter.

White Oak has won seven straight in the series with Swansboro’s lats victory over the Vikings being a 40-36 decision in the 2021 spring season.

Prediction: White Oak 34, Swansboro 19 

Southwest (0-1) at Croatan (2-0)

Did you know that Croatan was the victor the last time the Cougars faced Southwest?

That’s right. Croatan downed Southwest 24-21 in week two of the 2021 spring season. Another win over the Stallions would give the Cougars a 3-0 start for the third consecutive season.

Over at The Corral, Southwest had a week to move past a season-opener defeat to Richlands with last week’s open date.

I look for the Stallions to play inspired, but I expect Croatan’s aerial attack with Kannon McBride to be a little too much for Southwest.

Southwest will limit the big plays in the first half and keep the game close, but expect the Cougars to find openings after halftime.

Prediction: Croatan 28, Southwest 13

Northside (1-1) at Topsail (0-2)

Northside is better than in recent seasons, and the Monarchs have shown that in a win over White Oak and by not quitting in last week’s defeat to Jacksonville.

The Monarchs should pounce on Topsail early and never be threatened. The Pirates have yielded 452 and 344 yards of total offense in their first two games, meaning Northside quarterback Reginald Gray and Gavyn Davis have the potential to make plenty of big plays.

If the Monarchs play well, it should giver them a boost entering next week’s game with New Hanover. 

Prediction: Northside 47, Topsail 7 

Hobbton (0-2) at Dixon (2-0)

Dixon is 2-0 for the first time since the Bulldogs were 4-0 in 2013.

I look for the Bulldogs to be 3-0 following a win over Hobbton, which has allowed 35 points in both of its first two games.

This game has the potential to see Dixon’s JJ Gulat run wild as he already rushed for 286 and 288 yards in the first two games. If the Wildcats try to limit Gulat, the Bulldogs have other players such as Sean Delaney who will have a chance to make plays.

Dixon scores early in this one to establish control. The Bulldogs should be ahead by at least two scores at halftime before putting the game away in the fourth.

Prediction: Dixon 42, Hobbton 18 

Father Capadanno (1-1) at Liberty Christian (0-2)

Liberty Christian Academy is a handful of plays from being 2-0.

I know that sounds weird, given the Heat have 32-17 and 38-20 defeats to open this season, but Liberty has been very competitive.

The Heat trailed only 12-10 at halftime in an opening loss to Sandhills Classic Christian and trailed only 22-20 after the third quarter last week to Community Christian.

The Heat try to get in the win column against Father Capadanno, which fell to Liberty Christian 14-0 last year.

It’s always tough deciding who wins eight-man games because of the unknown factor, but I am going to give with the Heat in this one.

Prediction: Liberty Christian 26, Father Capadanno 20 

Lejeune (0-2) at South Lenoir (1-1)

It certainly was going to be a work in progress for Lejeune this season after the graduation of several key players.

The Devilpups look to get on the right track and score their first points when they visit South Lenoir, which looks to bounce back after last week’s loss to North Lenoir.

Lejeune players will play hard, and the Devilpups will improve this season. In the end, South Lenoir will simply be a little tough.

Prediction: South Lenoir 32, Lejeune 16