The Eagles began the 2012 state playoffs in grand style with a 41-13 victory of the Effingham Co. Rebels. After the Eagle D forced a punt on the Rebels’ initial possession of the game, Northside marched 61 yards in 5 plays and ended with a 2 yard touchdown run by Curtis Martin. Isaac Rivera’s PAT gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead. With 2:48 left in the quarter, Justin Burnam caught a 12 yard TD reception from Glenn Smith after a 9 play-64 yard drive. Rivera missed his first PAT attempt of the year to keep the score at 13-0. With 34 seconds left in the first quarter, Smith ran for a TD from 14 yards out and Rivera’s PAT made the score 20-0. With 8:51 left in the second, Smith and Keshun Hill hooked up on a beautiful 29 yard touchdown pass and the PAT made the score 27-0. Martin add his second 2 yard TD run with 2:31 left before halftime and River’s PAT made the score 34-0.

After mass substitutions that began late in the second quarter and a running clock in the second half, the Eagles only scored once more on the night. Sophomore Jamaal Joyner’s 3 yard TD run and John Tignor’s PAT with 7:27 left in the third quarter made the score 41-0. Effingham’s starters scored 2 meaningless touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Northside backups for a final score of 41-13.

The Eagles will play host to former region rival Thomas County Central next Friday in the second round of the playoffs.