The Northside Eagles ran their 2008 record to 7-1 (4-1 in Region 1-AAAAA) with a 30-14 victory over the visiting Tift Co. Blue Devils by receiving contributions from all 3 phases of the game. Senior quarterback Joe Scott led the Eagle offense by passing for 153 yards; junior Devon Pike had an outstanding night for Northside’s special teams by converting 3 of 3 PATs and 3 of 3 field goal attempts; and the Eagle defense contained the dangerous Blue Devil passing attack by intercepting 3 passes and by recording 5 quarterback sacks.

The Eagles opened the game with a 6 play/57 yard drive that ended with a 15 yard touchdown run by senior Xavier Bacon. Scott was 3 for 3 passing on the drive, and Pike added the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 6:53 left in the first quarter. Northside followed up that first drive with an even better one as Bacon again scored – this time from 2 yards out – to culminate a 13 play / 60 yard drive in which Scott completed 6 out of 7 passes. Pike’s PAT made the score 14-0 with 8:10 left in the second quarter. The Eagles added the first 2 of Devon Pike’s three field goals (31 yards & 22 yards) before halftime to send both teams to the locker room with Northside leading 20-0.

At 8:23 of the third quarter, Pike connected again – this time from 34 yards out – after Bacon opened the second half with a 57 yard kickoff return. Tift Co. finally got on the board with a 6 yard TD pass with 8:43 left in the game. The Blue Devils’ ensuing onside kick attempt was recovered by the Eagles who promptly responded with another touchdown as Bacon recorded his third rushing TD of the night with a 4 yard run to make the score 30-7 after Pike’s sixth perfect scoring kick. Tift Co. added a late touchdown with less than 2 minutes to go to make the final score 30-14.

For the Eagle defense, senior cornerbacks Brian Jones and K.J. Morton each intercepted a pass and made 4 tackles. Brison Williams also had an interception to go along with 2 tackles. Greg Clark (6 solo tackles) and Abry Jones (6 solo, 4 assists, 1 TFL, 2 sacks, & 1 batted down pass attempt) led Northside’s defensive front in harassing the Blue Devil offense all night.

The Eagles now begin preparation for their annual ‘Wartown Classic’ with crosstown rival Warner Robins Demons.