Northside hungry to win biggest rivalry game in Georgia
The Northside Eagles (2-0) prepare to face the Warner Robins Demons (1-1) in the 67th all-time meeting between the two teams
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Rivalry week continues as the Northside Eagles prepare to face the Warner Robins Demons on the 60th anniversary of the rivalry that dates back to 1964.
Second year Northside coach Ben Bailey and this Eagles squad have not beaten the Demons since 2016, when they wrapped up a three-game winning streak. Coach Bailey knows that with a crowd bigger than any in Middle Georgia, this game means more to the community and more to the kids involved.
Now, they look to improve to 3-0 on the season, and avoid the same results from 2023 when the Eagles came up short at the end of the game in a 39-35 loss to Warner Robins. With experience in the rivalry from last season, Coach Bailey hopes to instill in his players and coaches that even though this might be one of the biggest games in the country, the Eagles need to focus on doing the little things right, and treat this matchup like it’s just another game.
“You know, it’s a big game, but it’s like what we talked to the players about,” he said at Tuesday’s practice. “You don’t want the game to amp you up so much to where you can’t focus on what you’re doing. It’s a big rivalry. It may be one of the biggest games in the nation possibly, but you still have a job to do. The coaches are no different than the players. We want to be excited. We want to use that energy, but we also want to focus on our job and keeping that discipline. So, that’s what we’ve talked to the coaches and players about.”
Coach Bailey also spoke about last year’s game and how it compares to the situation they are in right now. He wants the team to learn from last season and expects his seniors to turn their adversity into leadership.
“It’s a lot like last year,” he said. “We are 2-0 going into this game and kind of had the game. [We] made a couple mistakes on our end that we can control and lost it there at the end. The guys are a little more hungry. This group is a group that, in terms of the discipline we put in place, there’s a lot of leadership on this team and they’re taking it very serious, which is what you want from your seniors. So, I’m looking forward to it. Should be a good game.”
Catch highlights from our Game of the Week, along with six more games, on Friday’s edition of The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11. Don’t miss our live pregame coverage Friday from McConnell-Tolbert Stadium during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m.
