Macon residents become Raider fans in support of Northeast

Overtyme Bar & Grill hosted a watch party for the big game.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – While Bibb County residents flocked to Atlanta in support of Northeast in the state championship game, people back home in Macon gathered to cheer on the Raiders as well.

Overtyme Bar & Grill hosted a watch party for the GHSA A Division 1 contest, which saw Toombs County defeat Northeast 38-18. Everyone in Macon knows about the rivalry between Northeast and Southwest High Schools. But with history on the line Tuesday, none of that mattered.

“Well, you have to support the kids,” said Cyrus Stevenson, a Southwest High graduate. “Macon is one of those places where sports are really big.”

Stevenson was one of several Macon sports fans who put their allegiances to the side on Tuesday. Northeast was going its first football state championship. No Bibb County school had won, or even played for a state title since Central High School won it all in 1975. Stevenson says the county is known more for basketball success, but he was determined not to miss out on watching Northeast in their quest for history.

“I called around yesterday to see who would be having the game up and that’s why I’m here today,” Stevenson said. 

Brenda Little Carswell and a group of friends also attended the watch party. Carswell has fond memories of that Central High championship winning team.

“I am a Central Charger, class of 1974, but today I am a devoted Northeast Raider,” Carswell said. 

Carswell says she’s usually not much into football. But she feels that the run Northeast has been on this fall has brought Macon together. Carswell says Northeast battling to the end for a state championship serves as another example of the great things going on in Bibb County.

“We’re supporting our young men and hats off to coach Jeremy Wiggins for a great season for our young guys,” Carswell said. “This is historic for us. We’re supporting you, and we love you.”