KENLY — Princeton was picked to win the Neuse 6 2-A Conference during a meeting by the conference’s head football coaches and athletic directors on Tuesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs received 23 points in the poll and four first-place votes at Tuesday’s meeting. Princeton finished 9-4 last season, including a 4-1 record against conference opponents.

The Bulldogs’ only blemish in conference play last season was a 52-15 loss at Eastern Wayne.

The Bulldogs reached the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A state playoffs before losing 62-53 at Northeastern.

Princeton opens its season at home on Aug. 23 against South Johnston.

Wilson Beddingfield was picked to finish second in the Neuse 6 2-A. The Bruins collected 21 points and one first-place vote.

Beddingfield went 7-5 in 2023, and 4-1 in conference play. The Bruins’ lone loss in Neuse 6 2-A play was a 24-21 setback at Princeton.

Eastern Wayne was third in the Neuse 6 2-A poll with 18 points. The Warriors finished 6-5 last season, and 4-1 in Neuse 6 2-A play.

Eastern Wayne’s 21-20 loss at Beddingfield, was it’s only defeat at the hands of a conference opponent. The Warriors lost four games by 13 points or less a year ago.

Eastern Wayne opens its season on Aug. 23 at home against county rival Southern Wayne.

North Johnston (12 points), Goldsboro (11 points), and Spring Creek (5 points) were picked to fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

The Cougars went 1-9 last season, with a 1-4 record in conference play. Spring Creek was 0-10 a year ago.

Goldsboro begins its season on Aug. 23 at home against Farmville Central, while Spring Creek travels to Lakewood the same night.