Timothy L. Hale
CHSR Editor & Publisher

Shaquille O’Neill plays for Northside, Warner Robins … at running back?

Not, THE Shaq that pitches Comcast products for your home with comedian Ben Stein.

This Shaq is a Northside, Warner Robins running back and one of a handful of players that Chapel Hill will have to deal with if the Panthers plan on making it to round two of the GHSA Class AAAAA play-offs. He also spells his name differently; O’Neill versus O’Neal.

I won’t rehash what I said last year about Region 1 football in Georgia when we played Coffee County. Bottom line, it is the best in the state, garnering more play-off wins and championships than any other region in the state across all classifications.

Looking at the Eagles on paper, they have the advantage … but then again, football games are not won on paper.

Let’s glance at the numbers.

Do you see the one stat that stands out the most? I’ll help you out.

Chapel Hill played a 9-game region schedule versus a 7-game region that Northside played.

Two of Northside’s non-region wins were against Class AAA teams (Carver, Columbus and Perry) and another against Grovetown from Class AAAA. Of those three teams, only Carver, Columbus is in the play-offs this year.

Now, granted, Region 1 faithful will argue that Northside played a tougher schedule with the likes of Colquitt County, Lowndes, and Valdosta.

Look at the Region 1-AAAAA final totals below. Note, Lowndes is shown in first place but that’s based on points for and against. Keep in mind, Northside defeated Lowndes 10-7, Valdosta 16-13 and Colquitt County 20-17 to earn the number one seed for the Region.

But the fact that the Panthers played a must-win schedule for nine weeks straight is something to consider.

Also, consider this. After the Pebblebrook loss, the Panthers needed to win four of the remaining five to advance to the play-offs. Most local and state sportswriters wrote the Panthers off, especially after the East Coweta loss.

The old saying goes, “Win and you’re in!” Well, the Panthers may not have made it look pretty, but they won and they’re in.

As Panther head coach Chris Parker said earlier in the week, “They don’t quit. I don’t expect you’ll see any difference (this Friday). We’ve had a couple of opportunities this year we’re we could have quit … but the guys have kept an even keel and didn’t quit.”

Kick-off is slated for 7:30 at McConnell-Talbert Stadium, also known down there as “The Mac”. The Panther charter buses roll from the Chapel Hill High School at 1 p.m. this afternoon.

For you GPS fanatics, “The Mac” is located at 401 South Davis Dr., Warner Robins, Ga. 31095.

Directions from the Northside football website:
From I-75
Take Exit 146 (Warner Robins – Centerville Exit)
Turn East (Left from North – Right from South)
You will be on Watson Blvd (East 247 Connector)
Go straight for 7.8 miles (Go thru 16 traffic lights)
Turn Right (South) on Davis Drive (Traffic light #17)
Stadium is 1/2 mile on left (4/10 to be exact)
Visitors parking is on the right
These mileage figures are exact

See you there!