WINDSOR – It’s a familiar scene for Bertie High School.

Since 1995 the Falcons have missed the North Carolina High School Athletic Association playoffs just once.

Second-year head coach Willie Roberson has led Bertie to the playoffs in both of his seasons at the helm.

He said the Falcons are getting ready for what they know will be a tough test even though they are familiar with their foe.

Bertie squared off with Southern Wayne, who they will host at 7:30 p.m. Friday, for two years in non-conference battle.

Roberson said the team was one the Falcons were familiar with, but one they would definitely have to prepare for.

&uot;They run the Wing-T on offense,&uot; Roberson said. &uot;We are familiar with the offense because we see it a lot, but they have some twists to it as all teams do.&uot;

The coach said the Saints were basically an even-front team on defense, often lining up in a 6-2 alignment, but they would also walk up the safety and blitz.

The coach said Bertie’s hope would be to put pressure on Southern Wayne freshman quarterback Jordan Williams.

&uot;We have to get to him,&uot; Roberson said.

The Falcons will also be spending practice time learning to contain sophomore Anthony Council, who is a powerful running back.

The Falcons enter Friday’s contest with a 4-7 overall mark, despite a 4-2 mark inside the Northeastern Coastal Conference that was good enough for second place.

Sophomore quarterback Desmond Williams along with senior running back William Howard leads Bertie on offense. Center Benjamin Cole and senior Joshua Hinton lead the Falcons offensive line.

Defensively, the Falcons are led by linebacker Kendall Bridgers along with defensive back Darius Wesson.

The Falcons have won four of their last six games, but are coming off a loss last week to rival Hertford County.

BHS will be looking for their first win in three years in the playoffs and Roberson said it won’t be easy to come by.

&uot;We’ve got our work cut out for us again,&uot; he said. &uot;We have to hit them hard. It should be competitive if we play hard.&uot;

Also on the home circuit this week will be the Hurricanes of Northampton County High School – West.

They 1-AA club is seeded second in the state and will be hosting fellow Tar-Roanoke Conference member North Edgecombe.

Fourth-year coach Diego Hasty said he didn’t like the thought of playing a conference team again in the first round of the playoffs, but his team had to get ready for whatever foe lined up against them.

&uot;We’ve got a tough road ahead of us,&uot; he said. &uot;If we’re going to make it to Wake Forest, we’re going to have to earn it.&uot;