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DEL.ICIO.USSpring Football Fling: Northside-WR should contend in Region 1-AAAAA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING
In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• 4/28: Lowndes • 4/29: Parkview • 4/30: Mays • 5/1: Marist • 5/2: Northside-Warner Robins • 5/3: Lovett • 5/4: St. Pius
Photos: A look at Northside
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Northside in ‘08? How will the Eagles fare in 1-AAAAA? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
There hasn’t been a team to move to the highest classification and win a state title since Decatur in 1950. But there’s rarely been a team better suited for the job than Northside, the champion the past two seasons in Class AAAA.
Northside won 54 of 57 games the past four seasons and became only the seventh Georgia school in history to put consecutive 15-0 seasons together.
Graduated are a trio of legendary figures in Warner Robins - quarterback Marques Ivory, tailback Tijuan Green, receiver Nick Bass, all members of the first-team AAAA all-state team.
But Northside won’t enter the season unarmed. Most of the defensive starters return, and defensive tackle Abry Jones (committed to Georgia) and defensive end/linebacker Eric Fields (leaning toward Clemson) are the best pair of front-seven defenders in the state.
“We’re certainly projecting and hoping those guys [on defense] will be the catalyst or really the part of the team that does good until everybody else gets experience,” Northside coach Conrad Nix said.
Northside’s schedule will include three reigning state champions: Booker T. Washington of Florida (Sept. 5 or 6), Carver of Columbus (Sept. 12) and Lowndes (Oct. 3).
Northside-Warner Robins Eagles
Region 1-AAAAA
Spring practice dates: May 12-21.
Last year’s record: 15-0, won the Class AAAA title for the second straight year.
Reclassification challenge: Moving up to Class AAAAA and into the state’s toughest region. Northside played in the highest classification through 2003 and was a perennial state contender, but it was not until dropping into Class AAAA that Northside won its first state title. And Northside has never been in the region with Valdosta and Lowndes.
Working on: Joe Scott will settle in as the new quarterback. The senior started seven games last season when Ivory was injured and was 56-of-114 for 797 yards. He’s a drop-back passer who won’t run much. Northside also must replace both wide receivers, the starting backfield and four of five starting linemen on offense. The most intriguing competition will be at tailback. The top candidates to replace Green are seniors Xavier Hawkins, Xavier Bacon and Reshaud Young and junior Renis Perry. Hawkins is a slashing runner, the most similar in style to Green. “Not quite as strong at the point of attack but does a good job recognizing daylight,” Nix said. Bacon is more about strength and speed. Young is athletic, but raw. Perry is “a tough kid, not real big, but pretty good speed,” Nix said.
Key starters lost: QB Marques Ivory (Jacksonville State); RB Tijuan Green (NW Mississippi JC); WR Kevyn Cooper (Jacksonville State); WR Nick Bass (Georgia Southern); RT Jerome Bibbins (Georgia Southern).
Key starters returning: DE Eric Fields; LB Darius Ivey; DT Abry Jones; S Randal McBride; TE/P Evan Arthur; DB K.J. Morton; DT Anton Williams; PK Devon Pike; G Shedrick Jones.
2008 strengths: Defense, talent supply, tradition. Fields and Jones.
2008 weaknesses: Northside doesn’t have the playmakers at quarterback, tailback and receiver that elevated this program from very good to extraordinary the past two seasons. There are also a number of new starters who are talented but unproven. “Guys like Eric Fields and Abry Jones have to live up to expectations, and other guys have got to fill in,” Nix said. “Abry didn’t start his sophomore year but stepped up [last season as a junior]. We’re going to have to have guys step up like that.”
This season’s projection: Northside should contend for a state title, but the team to beat in Class AAAAA will be new region rival Lowndes, the defending champ. Region 1-AAAAA is so deep that even a playoff berth isn’t assured for Northside, but expect the Eagles to be a Top 10 team with a realistic shot at a third straight title.
Photos: A look at Northside
Week Two Lineup
• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood
Week One Lineup
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Northside in ‘08? How will the Eagles fare in 1-AAAAA? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Spring Football
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Comments
By NHS alum
May 2, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
The Eagles will be good but the competition is much tougher. No other school in Georgia is playing three state champions. That early game with nationally-ranked BT Washington will be a great test. Lowndes, Tift, Warner Robins and the rest of the schedule will be brutal with Region 1-AAAAA competition. Northside will be battle-tested come playoff time. A regular season record of 9-1 or even 8-2 would have to be considered a great success. The key is how long it will take for the new running backs and passing game to click. At least QB Scott is game tested. The defense will have to shut teams down until the offense gels. But I am excited and optimistic about this season.
By Eagle Fan
May 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Losing Ivory, Green, Bass (TOUGH)
Moving to Region 1-AAAAA (TOUGHER)
Keeping 30-0 record intact TOUGHEST
Winning a third State Championship - (PRICELESS)
Eagle Defense Rules
Teams can’t beat NS if they don’t score
Prediction: 8-2 record and Northside vs Lowndes for State Championship (Outcome depends on development of offense)
By Northside Fan
May 2, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Todd, you missed one strength. Kevin Pike returns as kicker. Kevin made several pressure kicks in the playoffs including semifinal and final. With offense possibly starting slow, Kevin could have a record setting year.
By Northside Fan
May 2, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Sorry on my typos, I meant: Devon Pike
By NSHS ATHLETIC FAN
May 2, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Northside will be just fine if they stay basically with a ground game. QB Scott has to throw the 10, 15, 25, yard passes because this is where he is most effective. NS needs to find a brute at fullback should the offense changes up from time to time to pick up short yardage. The receiving corp will be fine because some guys on any other team last year would have started. NS will play Perry before starting with a very tough schedule.
By NHS94
May 2, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
This season will be tougher than the previous seasons due to the move up into the “SEC of High School Football”, but Northside still will handle business on the field. Don’t underestimate Northside Pride…we bleed true blue. See y’all on the field next year!
By EagleAD
May 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
The eagles will survive their brutal sechedule and be better off for doing so in the playoff’s. Northside just reloads plain and simple. They will have offense of weapons by the time the season starts. Look for us to be Lowndes. We own Warner Robins high and Houston County. Booker T. is another story. Most likely we will beat them too.
By EagleAD
May 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
The eagles will survive their brutal sechedule and be better off for doing so in the playoff’s. Northside just reloads plain and simple. They will have offense of weapons by the time the season starts. Look for us to be Lowndes. We own Warner Robins high and Houston County. Booker T. is another story. Most likely we will beat them too.
By EagleAD
May 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
The eagles will survive their brutal sechedule and be better off for doing so in the playoff’s. Northside just reloads plain and simple. They will have offense of weapons by the time the season starts. Look for us to be Lowndes. We own Warner Robins high and Houston County. Booker T. is another story. Most likely we will beat them too.
By EagleAD
May 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
The eagles will survive their brutal sechedule and be better off for doing so in the playoff’s. Northside just reloads plain and simple. They will have offense of weapons by the time the season starts. Look for us to be Lowndes. We own Warner Robins high and Houston County. Booker T. is another story. Most likely we will beat them too.
By EagleAD
May 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
The eagles will survive their brutal sechedule and be better off for doing so in the playoff’s. Northside just reloads plain and simple. They will have offense of weapons by the time the season starts. Look for us to be Lowndes. We own Warner Robins high and Houston County. Booker T. is another story. Most likely we will beat them too.
By tucansam
May 2, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
As long as Chris is looking down on us, we got nothing to worry about. Go Eagles!!!
By Tift County
May 2, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
We will see who knows, I think they will be competitive but so will everyone else in 1-AAAAA. Welcome to the Bigs Northside
By michaelpr
May 2, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
what an exciting year for georgia high school football. i love to see that two nationally ranked teams are going head to head in the regular season.
By coffee
May 2, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Everybody watch out for the coffee trojans!. 2nd round of playoffs the last 2 yrs. This is the breakthru yr. The top running back in region 1-aaaaa melvin loving returns from injury to carry the load in 08. Go Trojans!!!!!!
By Demon Football Fan
May 2, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Good luck Eagles….you’ll need it.Only 2 weak teams in 1AAAAA this year.Your offense is nowhere near as potent as last year.Warner Robins Demons look forward to playing all 1AAAAA especially the Eagles.All you Eagle fans,keep it real and put your big heads in a vise and you’ll fare much better in the long run.
By Reeze
May 2, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Demon Football Fan…..After 3 straight humiliating losses to the Eagles ,this season you guys may get in a few cheers in….You know we look foward to playin you guys as well….You think you guys could muster up a Real TD this year and not a fluke kickoff return as in 2006 and 2007…LOL…. On the real side …You guys have a good group returning ….It’ll be intresting
By trojanboy09
May 3, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
i think the eagles will do ok see all you eagles fans yall may know a little bout region one 1-aaaaa but being from coffee ive seen it all this region is just like the sec in college football any team can win at any given time regardless who their faceing this region is a beast Lowndes Tift Valdosta Coffee Warner Robins etc this will be one of the most exciting years ever just wait and see i see lowndes winnig the region Valdosta then Northside and then Coffee or Tift for 4th well peace
By trojanboy09
May 3, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
i think the eagles will do ok see all you eagles fans yall may know a little bout region one 1-aaaaa but being from coffee ive seen it all this region is just like the sec in college football any team can win at any given time regardless who their faceing this region is a beast Lowndes Tift Valdosta Coffee Warner Robins etc this will be one of the most exciting years ever just wait and see i see lowndes winnig the region Valdosta then Northside and then Coffee or Tift for 4th well peace
By trojanboy09
May 3, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Eagle fans just remember something This Region is just like the sec any team can beat another team at any givin time so dont get big headed this region is a beast and imj reall excited bout this weekend
By bigmaclargefry
May 3, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
I hope Northside Fan is kidding about that kicker. The only weakness Northside has had these last couple season is their kicking game. No touchbacks and probably no field goals outside 35 yards are stats that dont bode well for a record setting season…
By Northside Fan
May 3, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
No, not kidding. Pike, the kicker, was already extreamly accurate as only a Sophmore. He handled pressure well as in kicking the winning 3 points in the semifinal and kicking last 3 points in the final. As a Junior, he will be bigger and stronger. I expect the kickoffs to be in the endzone this year and field goal range to expand to 45 yards. With the offense having to rebuild, the kicker will likely be asked to score a lot of the early season points.
By South Georgia
May 3, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
I was just verified with a Georgia map that WR is not in south Georgia. Does this mean that if NSWR does well this year the folks in south Georgia will claim them as theirs? The movement of the north-central-south line moves based on how well teams do…amazing geography.
By yo
May 3, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
South Georgia…WR, Houston Co., NSHS and most of middle Ga are considered South Ga. because the top seeds of these regions play in the southern brackets at playoff time. Its not divided geopgraphically. The North/South is divided by population. Plus the middle Ga. schools play more of a S. Ga brand of football and have more of a S. Ga. community support than they resemble N. Ga. (metro) schools. Also, they are in 1AAAAA now and they are good enough that we don’t mind claiming them as a part of us.
By Eagle Fan
May 4, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
What Yo says is true. Also, the geographic Fall Line divides North and South Georgia and Northside is South of the Fall Line so that put us in South Georgia geographically as well.
By goldenherd
May 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
anything south of Macon is generally considered south GA
By slalom1
May 6, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
NSWR fans, You guys are gonna get mighty embarrassed should Carver-Col shut down “Mighty NSWR”. Granted, Carver-Col lost 15 scholarship players, but return the state’s top player in LB Jarvis Jones, who will be flanked by D-1 LB Leron Furr. Their defense will be tough. Throw in the fact that they will most likely have THE best talent in all of Muscogee County. Their offense will be talented, but probably sloppy. Their kicking game will probably result in a NSWR win. But, look for a low scoring game. My prediction: NSWR 10 Carver-Col 7. (Turnovers and mistakes could make for an embarrassment for NSWR). This Carver-Col team will be as talented as any team NSWR will face in Region 1AAAAA.
By LC_Northside
May 8, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Carver-Col plays guys on boths sides of the ball. Northside plays none that way. You will get worn down by the 4th quarter.
By slalom1
May 9, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
To; LC_Northside, Carver-Col is PLENTY deep. Lord only knows how their recruiting has gone this year. NSWR will win. But, it will have nothing to do with depth. Much closer game than you anticipate.
By slalom1
May 11, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
To: LC_Northside, By the way, I am NOT a Carver-Col fan. And, as far as the “2-way” players go at Carver-Col, other than an occasional switch, they are a STRONG 2 platoon team.
By mike
June 5, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Northside will have a tougher time in this region where every game will be like a playoff game! The great result will be exciting high school football in this region, probably the best in the nation! There’s nothing better than south georgia football!
By Tizzle
June 16, 2008 4:23 AM | Link to this
Booker T. Washington WILL beat Northside by at least three touchdowns!!!
Go Tornados!!!!