By The Numbers: Northeastern Breakdown
Greene Central Faces Formidable Northeastern in 2A Second Round
The Greene Central Rams (7-4) face an uphill battle in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A football playoffs, traveling to Elizabeth City to take on the undefeated Northeastern Eagles (11-0). The Eagles, who boast one of the most prolific offenses and stifling defenses in the state, are on a 16-game winning streak and haven’t lost at home since 2022.
Northeastern’s Season Snapshot
Northeastern’s dominance this season is underscored by its eye-popping numbers. The Eagles have scored 573 points across 11 games, averaging 52 points per game, while their defense has allowed just 96 points, holding opponents to 9 points per contest. They’ve scored at least 41 points in 10 games and have given up more than two touchdowns just once.
Their offense has topped 400 total yards in 8 of 11 games, including six 500-yard outings and one 600-yard game. They’ve passed for over 300 yards five times this season, including one 400-yard performance, while rushing for over 200 yards three times.
Quarterback Trevaris Jones
Senior quarterback Trevaris Jones (#8, 6’2”, 170 lbs) has orchestrated the Eagles’ offense with unmatched precision.
2024 Season (11 games): 149 completions on 196 attempts (76%), 3,007 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He has also rushed 54 times for 386 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Career (38 games): 318 completions on 466 attempts (68.2%), 6,726 yards, 79 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He has rushed 106 times for 644 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Jones has been responsible for three of Northeastern’s 13 successful two-point conversion runs this season.
Playmakers: Receivers and Runners
Northeastern’s arsenal of offensive weapons makes them a nightmare for defenses. Their receiving corps is deep, experienced, and explosive:
Tyell Saunders (#0, 6’0”, 185 lbs, Senior): The four-year varsity standout leads the team with 38 catches for 790 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Saunders has scored in every game but one and added three punt-return touchdowns and a pick-six.
Career (43 games): 121 catches, 2,497 yards, 30 receiving touchdowns, 3 punt-return touchdowns, 3 pick-sixes, and 37 total touchdowns.
Khamani Bennett (#1, 5’9”, 165 lbs, Senior): Bennett has hauled in 30 receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 23.3 yards per catch.
Career (28 games): 56 catches, 1,021 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Ty’Jae Simpson (#3, 5’10”, 165 lbs, Senior): Simpson, a four-year varsity player, has 19 catches for 498 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. He’s also rushed 29 times for 289 yards and 3 scores.
Career (38 games): 44 catches, 1,046 yards, 9 receiving touchdowns, and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Unique Blount (#2, 5’11”, 165 lbs, Senior): Blount has 19 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns, including a season-best 101 yards on four receptions in a single game.
Jakael Brooks (#5, 5’9”, 175 lbs, Senior): Brooks has 20 catches for 394 yards and 4 touchdowns, threat for possible WR reverse pass or double pass, Brooks is 2-2 passing and one touchdown this season.
On the ground, QB Jones leads the team in rushing attempts, followed by:
Jonathan Nguyen (#22, 5’7”, 150 lbs, Junior): 40 carries for 352 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 70-yard performance in the first-round win over Hertford was his season-best.
Ty’Jae Simpson (#3): 29 carries for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Da’Mari McNeill (#6, 6’2”, Sophomore): Despite being sidelined since Week 5, McNeill had 46 carries for 394 yards and 5 touchdowns earlier in the season.
Stifling Defense
Northeastern’s defense has been as dominant as its offense, holding opponents under two touchdowns in all but two games. The unit has recorded:
37 sacks, led by Zion Demps (#11, Senior, DE, 6’1”, 220 lbs) with 9 sacks.
9 interceptions, 4 of which were returned for touchdowns.
16 pass deflections, 9 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked field goals.
Key players include:
Maurice Bowser (#4, 6’1”, 200 lbs, Senior, LB): Tied for the team lead in solo tackles (62) and has 82 total tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 quarterback hurries.
Career (3 years): 260 tackles, 7 sacks, and 4 TFLs.
Jaylin Mallory (#10, 6’0”, 207 lbs, Junior, LB): Leads the team with 90 tackles this season, adding 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Career (3 years): 272 tackles, 10 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
Khamani Bennett (#1, Senior, DB): 50 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 sack, and a pick-six this season.
Career: 103 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles.
Ty’Jae Simpson (#3, Senior, DB): 56 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 sack, and 7 pass deflections this season.
Career: 154 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 13 pass deflections.
Special Teams Contributions
The Eagles have been electric on special teams, with 5 return touchdowns—3 on punts and 2 on kickoffs. Tyell Saunders has been the catalyst, scoring all 3 punt-return touchdowns. The team has converted 43 of 50 extra-point attempts and successfully executed 19 two-point conversions (13 runs, 6 passes).
Historic Playoff Success
Northeastern is no stranger to playoff success, with state championship appearances in 1969, 1971, 2018, and 2019. They claimed the 3A state title in 1969 with a 21-0 win over Lumberton. Their most recent deep run came last year, when they went 14-1 and fell to Clinton in the Eastern Regional Final.
The last meeting between Greene Central and Northeastern came in the playoffs in 2008, with Northeastern earning a 42-26 victory.
