By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          For two straight seasons, Northside had to replace a load of quality players, many of whom were youngsters on the 2014 state title team.

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          The Eagles went 11-3 and then 8-4.

          It appears to be Peach County’s turn.

          While the Trojans have only one new offensive linemen, they’re new at quarterback, the entire running back rotation, some receiver spots, a number of defensive spots, and at kicker.

          “A lot of new faces,” head coach Chad Campbell understated. “Lost a lot of good players.”

          And for the fifth straight season, the Trojans will open with a program at least two classifications bigger.

          Peach County takes on Northside in the nightcap Saturday of the Macon Touchdown Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic at Mercer.

          The Trojans are in the top five in Class 3A in both the Georgia Sports Writers Association and Atlanta Journal-Constitution polls, courtesy mostly of the stellar reputation and reaching the state title game last year.

          They hadn’t had to worry about skill positions for a few years, but quarterback Antonio Gilbert, running backs Chris Gibson, Trevon Woolfolk – who were also targets in the passing game - and wideout Kearis Jackson have moved on.

          While having an experienced offensive line is huge, so is keeping the ball.

          “Your ball-handling people, you’ve got to replace,” Campbell said. “We turned the ball over four times in the scrimmage. We’re not used to turning the ball over like that.”

          Such issues will only whet the appetite of Northside’s defense, led by defensive back Tubby McCall.

          Even in a little bit of a transition, the Eagles have given up only 14 and 13 points a game the past two seasons, sticking to that with the 38-14 win over Centennial.

          The Eagles gave up some yards through the air, more a result of being in control of game.

          “Technique-wise and some of those things, we did not do a very good job of,” head coach Kevin Kinsler said. “But that’s kidn of typical for this time of year. Everybody’s really inconsistent, especially when you have so many young guys like we do.”

          Kinsler said the Eagles’ effort overshadowed many of the mistakes. Northside gave up some passing yards, but mainly because Centennial was in the comeback mode.

          “We forced three turnovers in the first quarter,” Kinsler said. “Two picks and a fumble recovery. I was pleased that we held them to 14 points.

          “But we’ve got to do a much better job of playing technique.”

          The Eagles and Trojans are neighbors, and familiar with each other from scrimmaging for several years. This is the first regular-season meeting since 2005, when Northside won its eighth straight in the series, 30-12.

          The teams went from 1973-96 without playing, then played every year from 96-2005. The Trojans won the first two upon the series’ resumption, 21-0 and 14-0, and four games after that were close to fairly close.