KINSTON, N.C.
Saturday’s North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association State Championship Game marks the eighth time Southampton Academy’s Dale Marks has found himself in such a position. Although the Raiders haven’t tasted glory since 2012, a bookend win over Northeast Academy would wrap up the legendary head coach’s fourth state title.

Their opponent had never previously reached the championship game, losing in heartbreaking fashion in the semifinal round four times. The last unsuccessful bid came in a thrilling game at Cary Christian Academy in 2010, when the Eagles built a 50-35 third-quarter lead, only to fall 57-56.

The teams played in the opening game of the 2015 season, a 50-44 Southampton Academy win. Quarterback Andrew Lowe, in his second-career start, found receiver Brooks Holland win 75 seconds left for a 39-yard touchdown pass and for the go-ahead score.

Southampton Academy returns to Arendell Parrott Academy (Kinston, North Caorlina), site of the season finale and place where the Raiders have not had much luck as of late. The team fell 68-30 in Kinston earlier this season, where they also dropped a 74-42 decision in last year’s state semifinal contest.