The Baldwin Co. Braves circled October 13 on their calendar soon after Northside defeated them in the 2005 state semi-finals at the Georgia Dome as payback time. This fall’s first cool night made the setting perfect for the showdown between Region 4B – AAAA’s two unbeaten teams at Baldwin Co.’s new stadium known locally as the “Tee-Pee”. The stands on both sides were packed at kickoff and everyone was ready to “play some football”, unfortunately for the Brave faithful, the Eagles were a little more ready.

Northside won the opening coin toss and chose to take the ball first. After senior Jacobi Rodriquez retuned the opening kickoff 23 yards to the Northside 34 yard line, the Eagle offense ripped off a flawless 66 yard drive in less than four minutes culminating in a one yard touchdown run by junior Tijuan Green. Devon Pike stuck in the PAT and Northside led 7-0. The Braves put together a good four minute drive, but the Eagle defense stiffened and forced a field goal attempt which was missed. The offense came back on the field still on fire, and in almost instant replay of their first drive, executed another perfect touchdown drive that ended with a Marques Ivory 7 yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left in the first quarter. Pike’s PAT made the score 14-0 going into halftime.

Baldwin’s defense settled down and both teams went scoreless in the second and third quarters. The Eagles then took position on their own 20 with about 10 minutes left in the game and began a 14 play – 80 yard drive that ended with a 9 yard TD pass from Ivory to senior tight end Brett Moore with 3:33 left in the fourth quarter. Pike was again perfect and the score stood at 21-0. Baldwin then drove deep into Eagle territory with a couple of long completed passes, but the Northside defense again bowed its neck to keep the shutout when senior linebacker Deonta Jordan intercepted a pass at the 5 yard line and returned it five yards to the ten. It was all for naught though as the Eagles fumbled on their first play and Baldwin scooped up the fumble and ran in for their only score of the night. The PAT was missed and Northside led 21-6 with 2:29 left in the game. Baldwin’s unsuccessful onside kick attempt set up the Eagles on their own 45, and Northside proceeded to put the game away with a 55 yard scoring drive capped by a exciting 15 yard TD run by Green. Pike’s fourth PAT set the final score at 28-6, but the excitement for the night was not over. Baldwin attempted a ‘Hail-Mary’ pass that Jacobi Rodriquez intercepted at the Eagle 7 yard line and rambled 64 yards all over the field before finally being brought down to end the game.

The Eagles now stand alone atop Region 4B at 4-0 in the subregion and 7-0 overall.