ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – It took 65 seconds of adversity for Northeastern to rally back and finish off James Kenan in the fourth round of the 2A state playoffs.

After falling behind 28-25 early in the third quarter, the Eagles scored 21 straight to secure a 46-28 win and advance to next week’s regional championship round.

The instant response was fueled by a 73-yard passing touchdown from wide receiver Unique Blount to Khamani Bennett. The Eagles caught the Tigers sleeping with an ensuing onside kick, then capped off a 50-yard scoring drive with Ty’jae Simpson’s third rushing score.

Three seniors teaming up to score twice in the span of 2:21 summed up Northeastern’s season-long mission to return to the fifth round.

Last fall, the Eagles earned regional runner-up honors after dropping their only game of the season 36-22 at Clinton. On top of its return, the game will head to Elizabeth City for the first time since 2018.

The game’s first seven drives ended in touchdowns.

Simpson scored from 11 yards away to quickly break the ice at 7-0. A dozen seconds later, the score inflated to 13-0.

Following the opening score, James Kenan’s return team tried to let Northeastern’s kick-off bounce out of bounds. Instead, the ball died on the turf and was recovered at the 23-yard line by Jakael Brooks. Tyell Saunders caught a pass from Tre Jones and darted in on the next play to establish a two-score lead.

Finally, in possession of the ball, James Kenan took its turn finding paydirt. Cito Zeleya opened the second quarter with a 1-yard dive on fourth and goal to trim the score to 13-7.

A big Simpson run set the stage for Jones to tuck an option run and push the Northeastern advantage to 19-7.

Jeremiah Hall responded with a 42-yard scamper to inside of the Eagle red zone and galloped in from 13 yards out on the next play.

Leading 19-14, Northeastern brought the James Kenan kick-off across midfield and punched it in with an option pitch to Simpson.

Two carries of 29+ yards helped Hall answer once more. Less than two minutes after the Eagles jumped ahead 25-14, Hall was in for his second touchdown to trim the gap to 25-21.

Eli Avent gave James Kenan its only lead of the night at 28-25 following a rushing touchdown just 3:58 into the second half.

Northeastern’s big run to put the game out of reach followed. Bennett, Simpson, and Saunders all scored during the run while the Eagles’ defense stood tall and forced three turnovers on downs while pitching a shutout over the final 20:02 of the game.

Next Friday will bring 2-seed Whiteville to town. The Wolfpack were victorious against Kinston on Friday night.