On Dec 4, 1997, the Northside Eagles lost to Tift Co. in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs to finish the year at 9-4. The Eagles have not finished a season with less than 10 wins since then. On Saturday night at the MAC, Northside defeated the McIntosh Chiefs in the first round of the 2013 state playoffs by a score of 31-21 to earn their 10th win of the season for the 16th straight year – a GHSA record.


The Eagles got off to a quick 14-0 start in the first quarter before McIntosh scored the next 21 points through the next 2 quarters to lead the game 21-14 midway through fourth quarter.

To start the game, the Eagle D forced a early Chief fumble in the first quarter which led to a 34 yard touchdown run by Willie Jordan. With 6:03 left in the first, Marcus Ivory connected with Glenn Smith on a 63 yard TD pass. The two Isaac Rivera PATs gave Northside the 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter. For the next two quarters, the Chiefs controlled the ballgame and score 21 unanswered points.

With about 7 minutes left in the game, the Northside offense got back into rhythm with a nine-play, 61 yard drive culminating with a 3 yard touchdown by Jordan with 4:39 left in the game. Rivera’s PAT tied the game and energized the Eagles and their supporters. The defense forced a punt on the ensuing Chief possession and took over at their own 25 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Ivory tossed a backward swing pass to Glenn Smith who stopped, looked downfield and saw a wide open Jurmon Weaver streaking down the home sideline. Smith hit Weaver in stride with the pass for a 75 yard touchdown pass to send the home fans into a frenzy and give the Eagles the lead with 3;20 left in the game. The Eagle D forced another Chief fumble after a big hit; Northside couldn’t convert a first down on the drive so they lined up for a field goal with 56 seconds left in the game. Rivera calmly drilled the 28 yard FG to ice the Eagles’ tenth win on the season and advanced them to the second round of the state playoffs.

Northside will make a return trip to the Swamp in Waycross to take on the Ware Co. Gators next Friday night.