MIDDLE SCHOOL NOTEBOOK
Northside XC
An annual wish most varsity coaches have is for a senior class loaded with
positive leadership qualities. At the middle school level, the equivalent hope
is for eighth graders who can lead. We are fortunate at Northside this year
to be blessed with such. The Spartan concept of all boys and girls belonging
to the same team has been successfully bought into by all. Runners come to
practice ready to work and improve. Complaints and whines have been few
and far between. And to date, the squad has competed very successfully.
Much of the credit must be given to six mature eighth graders. Isabel Hyer
can be counted on each day for her spirited leadership at the beginning of
practice. Izzy was probably the first Spartan to know the names of each
teammate. Practice starts each day with her in the middle of the circle
barking out the commands for a rigorous stretching routine. Isabel is
generally joined in the middle by Brian Federle, Andy Carr and Ian Kincer.
With excellent work ethics, the threesome of boys can be counted on
throughout practice to lead by example. Due to teacher meetings,
Wednesday is the team’s day off. But this trio and others meet to run
together on their own. Olivia Kelly and Richelle Berry may have taken
college level classes in leadership. They run hard. They never question nor
complain. And they are among the first to always return to the course to
root and encourage each teammate to the finish line. These six kids are
special. And they are a very enjoyable group to watch as they work
leadership magic on a very large and diverse team.
— Coaches Sarah McGovern and Chuck Grimes
Northside 8th FB
Congratulations to the eighth grade Spartan football team on the 40-0 victory
over Madison. The Spartans had touchdowns by Jared Whiteside, Gabe
Tertocha, Joe Hauer, Drew Taylor and two touchdowns by John Busack.
Opening holes on the offensive line were Logan Lunsford, Jacob Prewitt,
Kenny King, Nathan Henderson, Tyson Clark, Luke Perkins, Jordan Miller
and Jared Whiteside. A very tough Spartan defense held Madison to a single
first down through the entire game. Seth Frownfelter blocked a punt and
recovered the ball, and there were multiple QB sacks by our defensive line.
Our Spartan secondary shutdown any attempts to throw the ball allowing for
only a single reception. The eighth grade B team traveled to Bachelor last
night but couldn’t come away with the win. Our offense moved the ball well,
but injuries to Thomas Smith and Dalton Noblitt slowed us down.
Defensively, we had good pursuit and delivered hard tackles but were unable
to put the brakes on their offense until late in the game. Please come out and
support us Wednesday as the eighth grade Spartans take on Central at home,
on the North High School field at 6:30 p.m.
— Coach John Henderson