REGION 1-AAAAA CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!

The Eagles defeated the Colquitt Co. Packers by a score of 20-17 to clinch the Region 1-AAAAA Championship. For the second week in a row, the Eagles got out to a early lead and had to withstand a furious rally, but unlike the last week, the Eagles were able to hold on to the victory when Dontavious Anderson intecepted a Packer pass attempt and the Eagles were able to run out the clock.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff of the game and marched 80 yards in 4 plays for a quick touchdown on a 27 yard run by Shaquille O'Neill just 1:17 into the game. Devon Pike kicked the PAT and Northside led 7-0. Six minutes later, the Eagles were in the endzone again after a 6 yard TD run by Chris Vickers. Pike's PAT made the score 14-0. Colquitt cut the lead to 14-3 with a field goal 1:33 before halftime, but the Eagles answered back with a perfectly executed '2-minute' offense to get in position for their own FG attempt with 1 second left on the second quarter clock. Pike drilled the 37 yard FG attempt and the teams went to the lockerroom with the Northside in front by a score of 17-3.

After the Eagle D forced a Packer punt on the opening possession of the 2nd half, the Eagles put together a nice drive that stalled, but Pike again came through -- this time with a 44 yard field goal with 6:08 left in the 3rd quarter to make the score 20-3 in favor of the Eagles. The Packers scored on a 1yd TD run on the last play of the third quarter to cut the lead to 20-10 heading into the final quarter of play. Colquitt score again from 3 yards out with 7:59 left in the game -- the PAT cut the Northside lead to only 3 points (20-17). The Packers had one last chance to tie or win the game, but that drive was halted with Anderson's interception which clinched the Region 1-AAAAA Championship for the Eagles and also a #1 seed in the state playoffs next weekend.

The Eagles will host Chapel Hill Panthers from Region 4 on Friday night at the MAC in the first round of the state AAAAA playoffs.