By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          For awhile, things looked or felt in 2023 a little similar to 2022.

          But Northside made sure the day didn’t end the same way.

          The Eagles came out of the halftime break down 14-10 and soon went down by 11, but righted the ship in a serious way for a 33-21 win over Jones County in the Macon Touchdown Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.

          Outscoring the Greyhounds 23-8 in the second half and establishing control with increasing physicality made first-year Northside head coach Ben Bailey – not the most popular candidate to replace Chad Alligood after his resignation – might happy.

          And there was skepticism after a perceived mediocre performance last week in a scrimmage against Perry.

          “We didn’t do everything we had planned on doing tonight,” said Bailey, offensive coordinator last year at Peach County, having moved over from Houston County. “We had some guys that last week we wanted to see what they could do. We had a couple people out, a couple guys sick.

          “We put the full plan in force today, and they did an excellent job.”

          Senior quarterback Damien Dee was solid, completing 9 of 16 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns – both to Keron Milton, who had 108 yards in receptions – with no interceptions.

          E.J. Riley helped Northside outrush Jones County 153-104 on 12 more carries, getting 71 yards on 17 carries.

          Defensive back Ricardo Jones racked up two of Northside’s three interceptions against Jones County dual and dueling quarterbacks Judd Anderson and Devin Edmonds. His pick of an overthrow by Devin Edmonds at the 2:44 mark sealed it for the Eagles, who were able to run out the clock.

          Jones County seemed on target to repeat last year’s win, 27-21 after trailing 15-14 at halftime and running out the clock after Northside scored with 4:33 left to pull within six.

          The Greyhounds opened up a 21-10 lead early in the third, only for the Eagles to answer with a 22-yard TD pass from Damien Dee to Nicholas Linder, who made a highlight leaping catch and just stayed inbounds in the end zone.

          “I was glad of the resilience,” Bailey said. “Going down into  halftime, give up a big touchdown. The explosive plays got us, but outside of that, they didn’t do a whole lot, especially running the football, which is what we pride ourself in, stopping the run.”

          Jones County averaged only 2.85 yards a carry, led by Zion Ragins’ 39 yards on 10 tries. He was held to one catch for nine yards.

          Jones County was moving on its next possession and reached midfield only for junior Nicholas Linder to step in front of Roderick Freeman for an interception, a flag on the play pulling the Eagles back to their 25.

          The Greyhounds defense looked like it was stepping up after a big sack by DJ Ingram for a loss of 11, and they survived a pass interference call to force a punt.

          Northside reciprocated, and embarked on a long drive that was highlighted by a huge Dee-to-Jones pass for 35 yards, E.J. Riley taking the direct snap for the score at the 10:18 mark of the fourth quarter, the Greyhounds blocking the PAT kick to stay within 23-21.

          Northside’s defense, a strength with some depth, continued to gain momentum against a Jones County offense that was stagnating, failing on a fourth down just inside the Northside 45.

          The Eagles finished an eight-play drive with a 34-yard field goal with 4:40 left to go up 26-21.

          Judd Anderson, who shared time with Edmonds at quarterback, was picked off by Jones on third and 11, Jones catching it at the Greyhounds’ 45 and returning it 21 yards, Northside getting more yards courtesy of a personal foul.

 Three plays later, powerful J.C. Coney (5-9, 212 pounds) in an up-back spot took the handoff from Riley in a misdirection play, went left,  took the snap in an up-back spot, went left and cruised in from 9 yards out for the clincher with 3:01 left.

          On first down, Jones came up with his second pick of the day, the capper on a quality second half for the Eagles.

          “We talked a little bit about that (“plan to win), , and just playing four quarters, winning the second half, being the tougher team, keep putting the pressure on,” Bailey said of the halftime chat. “That’s what we did.”