Northview Falls to South Cobb in Close Contest

By Craig Jacks

The football team traveled to South Cobb Friday night looking to move their record to 2-1. Things started well for the Titans as they opened the scoring for the evening. A  28-yard pass from QB Evan Jacks to WR Evan Sather brought the ball to the South Cobb two-yard line. Terrence Upshaw punched in his first of four touchdowns for the evening from there to give the Titans a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A much-improved Northview defense kept the Eagles in check for most of the first half. A punt midway through the second quarter  was mishandled by the Titans' return man and South Cobb recovered on the Titans’ 12-yard line to set up an easy score and tie the game at 7.

The Titans came right back, however, combining a nice mix of running and passing and moved down the field and took the lead again with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Jacks to Upshaw. After Peyton Ericson converted the PAT, the Titans led again 14-7. That lead was short-lived, however, as South Cobb took the ensuing kick-off and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown and tied the score again at 14 all.

Northview fought back again and with under a minute left in the half scored to take the lead into the locker room at 21-14.

In the third quarter, the momentum changed and the Northview defense softened after a very solid first half. South Cobb got the ball to start the second half. Sticking mainly to a running game, the Eagles quickly moved to midfield before RB Chris Beck broke through the middle of the Titans' defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to tie the score again at 21.

After exchanging turnovers and punts, South Cobb’s Beck broke loose again on another long run to give the Eagles their first lead of the game at 28-21 in the fourth quarter.

Northview got its offense clicking again and tied the score at 28 with another short run by Upshaw with just under six minutes to play.

With South Cobb’s final drive stalling the Titans looked like they were ready to take possession of the football with three minutes remaining but a pass interference call against the Titans gave the Eagles enough life to keep the ball and eventually allowed Beck to score his third touchdown of the half to close out the scoring at 35-28.

Northview’s offense was led by QB Evan Jacks’ 71 rushing yards and 144 yards passing.  On defense the Titans were led by Austin Antwine (13 tackles) and David Lee (nine tackles).  Ricky Miles and  AJ Pearson each recovered a fumble for the Titans.

With the loss, The Titans drop to 1-2 on the season and return home to face region 2 AAAAA foe Newton this Friday at 7:30. Tailgate begins at 5:30.