Two teams trying get themselves a first round home date for the playoffs – Franklin County out of Class 6 and Northside from Class 3 – faced off in a game with ramifications for each moving forward.

This Week 8 contest was the first time these teams have met in over thirty years, the last time being in 1987. Both teams were 4-2 and had faced some of the same opponents earning similar statistics.

By game’s conclusion, the two squads were anything but identical, resulting in a decisive 21-0 win for the Vikings from Northside.

In response to the shutout, Northside Head Coach Scott Fisher declared it was a, “very good win against a very good team.” Fisher believes the victory, “will help our [the Vikings] point standing in the region,” as it was one of their more complete performances in all three phases, particularly on the defensive side of the football.

The Vikings were up 7-0 at the end of the first period with a touchdown by senior Trevor Johnson. Later, senior Christian Fisher scored the second touchdown of the game and his 12th touchdown of the season, increasing the Vikings’ lead to 14-0 during the second period.

Leading the way on defense for Northside with two interceptions was junior linebacker Keenan Bishop, while senior linebacker Jacob Elliott contributed a pair of sacks.

In the third quarter, the Eagles from Franklin County had a negated touchdown because of a blocking in the back penalty. Without their star running-back, Jayron Smith, the Eagles’ offense, who averaged 28 points per game, was stagnant and unable to match their previous performances. It was the first time they were shut out since Thomas Dale blanked them 50-0 in the 2017 playoffs.

Conversely, the Northside defense managed to pitch its first road shutout since 2016 when they blanked William Fleming 31-0. Their previous two shutouts – 7-0 over Abingdon in 2017 and 28-0 over Hidden Valley last year – came at home at Viking Stadium.

Christian Fisher continued his stellar night with yet another touchdown in the fourth quarter, finalizing the game’s score and bringing his season total of end zone trips to 13. Freshman quarterback Sidney Webb finished off the period by taking a knee in the victory formation.

Northside now leads the all-time series with Franklin County 18-7-2. The Eagles last win over Northside was a 28-0 shutout they pitched in 1986.

“We ran into a team that played better than we did tonight,” commented Franklin County’s Head Coach, J.R. Edwards afterwards. “[We] had too many mistakes and missed opportunities on our part.” Despite the loss dropping them to 4-3, Franklin County will try to boost their postseason outlook in Region 6A when they play host to unblemished Class 3 contender Lord Botetourt in Rocky Mount on Friday, October 25.

With this latest victory under their belt, the 5-2 Vikings will continue to push upwards as they prep for their next match against the rival William Byrd Terriers, who snapped a five-game losing streak with a 23-21 triumph over the William Fleming Colonels.